A regulatory guide to starting a

Presented by

FOOD TRUCK

in Austin

What is Cities Work?

We are the Institute for Justice’s non-partisan regulatory consulting initiative committed to increasing economic opportunity and fostering entrepreneurship in cities across the country.

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We partner with cities to make it cheaper, faster, and simpler to start a small business—all free of charge.

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We are...

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A non-profit working to make it easier to start a business in cities across the country

Working with city governments, community organizations, and small business owners to remove barriers to business

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For educational purposes only - this is not legal advice!

Our Work in Austin

Working with Entrepreneurial Support Organizations (ESOs) to create an entrepreneur’s guide to regulations in Austin

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# of fees

$1,142.74

agencies involved

7

in-person activities

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number of forms

12

total estimated cost to start a food truck

State Requirements

Step 1

Create Texas Secretary of State SOSDirect Account

Used to file all Texas state documents

Step 2

Determine business name availability

Step 3

Submit Certificate of Formation for a Limited Liability Company

Form 205

Step 4

Submit Assumed Name Certificate

Form 503

Step 5

Obtain EIN Number from IRS

Form SS-4 through IRS.gov

Step 6

Create Texas State Comptroller ESystems Portal account

Used to file tax-related documents for your business

Step 7

Determine NAICS Code

Likely “722330 Mobile Food Services”

Step 8

Submit Texas Tax Registration

Through eSystems account

County Requirements

Step 9

Create Travis Central Appraisal District online account

Step 10

Submit a rendition of your business personal property

Report personal property that is used in your business to your appraisal district.

Step 11

Purchase insurance for your food truck

Step 12

Take your vehicle to a certified inspection station

in-person step

Inspection stations can be found at Texas Department of Public Safety Inspection Locator

Step 13

Pick up registration sticker and Texas license plates from Travis County Tax Office

in-person step

Also have locations in Northwest Austin, Southeast Austin, Southwest Austin, and East Austin.

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Check Travis County Tax Office > Visit Us to find your nearest location.

Step 14

Complete and notarize the Central Preparation Facility Contract

Step 15

Submit the Mobile Food Vendor Itinerary Sheet

Step 16

Complete the restroom facility agreement

Step 17

Submit the Mobile Food Vendor Application

Step 18

Attend the Mobile Food Vendor Application Review

in-person step

1520 Rutherford Lane, Building 1, Suite 205

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Step 19

Schedule mobile vending unit and fire inspections

Step 20

Hire a third-party master electrician to inspect the food truck

Step 21

Undergo electrical inspection

in-person step

Step 22

Hire a third-party inspector to inspect the propane

Step 23

Undergo propane inspection

in-person step

Step 24

Hire a third-party inspector to inspect the Class 1 hood automatic fire supression system

Step 25

Undergo fire suppression system inspection

in-person step

Step 26

Undergo mobile vending unit and fire inspections

in-person step

Step 27

Complete a certified food manager training program

A list of certified CFM programs can be found at Texas Health and Human Services > Licensing of Certified Food Manager Training Programs > CFM Training Programs

Step 28

Pass a CFM Exam

A mobile food establishment...

Location Regulations

• Is permitted in all commercial and industrial zoning districts, except in a neighborhood office (NO), limited office (LO), or general office (GO) zoning district;
• May not be located within 50 feet of a lot with a building that contains both a residential and commercial use;
• May not operate between the hours of 3:00 a.m. and 6:00 a.m.;
• May not be located within 20 feet of a restaurant (general) or restaurant (limited) use.

Kansas City, KS

Do your part!

A cautionary tale....

• Very important to stay compliant with local health regulations
• Do your own research - this is presentation is merely a guide
• Cities can and will crack down on mobile vendors, so it’s important to...

Questions?