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Mobile Food Establishments

  • CONTACT INFORMATION
  • ehealth@amarillo.gov
  • Food Establishments, Mosquito Control, Swimming Pools, Complaints:
    806-378-9472
  • In-Person:
    Simms Municipal Building
    Suite 275
    808 S Buchanan St
    Amarillo, TX 79101
  • Mailing Address:
    Env. Health Dept.
    PO Box 1971
    Amarillo, TX 79101

Mobile Food Establishments

The Environmental Health Department oversees Mobile Food Units (MFUs) to ensure they meet health and safety standards. Below are guidelines for operating an MFU in compliance with the Texas Food Establishment Rules.

A Mobile Food Unit is a vehicle-mounted, self-contained food service operation designed to be readily movable. These units include catering trucks, trailers, push carts, and roadside vendors. Mobile units must retain their mobility at all times. MFUs do not include stands or booths. Roadside food vendors are classified as MFUs.

To apply for an MFU permit, submit the application, plan review guide, and payment together. Forms can be submitted in person, emailed, or mailed. Payments are accepted over the phone.

The City of Amarillo requires mobile food units (MFUs) to follow these rules:

  • Get written permission from the property owner to park on private property.
  • Follow all traffic laws and maintain visibility for vehicles and pedestrians.
  • Don’t block entrances, alleys, driveways, or disrupt traffic.
  • Follow zoning rules, including parking size, drive lanes, landscaping, and signs.
  • Stay 300 feet away from community events unless you have permission from the organizer.
  • Avoid parking in fire lanes, near fire hydrants, or blocking emergency access.
  • If on public roads, stay 300 feet from any restaurant and serve curbside without blocking traffic.

Mobile Food Establishment Applications & Documents

Mobile Food Unit Plan Review Guide
Mobile Food Unit Plan Review Guide - Spanish Version
Food Establishment Application
Mobile Food Unit Guidelines
Sanitizing a Mobile Food Water Tank
Mobile Food Unity Parking Map

Mobile Food Establishment FAQs

A catering permit allows employees of a food establishment to set up and serve at public or private events. If you operate a mobile food unit (MFU) or a brick-and-mortar establishment, this permit also allows you to attend temporary events without paying additional temporary permit fees.

No, mobile food units must comply with zoning and public health regulations, so parking at a residence is not permitted. Units should be parked in designated locations that meet city standards.

No, storing food for your MFU at home is not allowed. This rule ensures that food storage meets health and safety standards, so all food must be stored in a commercial kitchen or approved facility.

No, MFUs must be serviced at an approved commissary or servicing area, which is equipped to meet sanitation and safety requirements. Residential homes cannot meet these standards.

Yes, by definition, mobile food units must remain fully mobile at all times. This means they can’t be hardwired into electrical poles or permanently fixed to the ground. All waste tanks should be permanently installed, and the wheels must remain aired up and uncovered, ensuring the unit can be moved at any time.

Inspections for MFUs take place at the main Public Health office at least once a year to verify that the unit is fully mobile. Additional inspections may also occur at your designated servicing location to ensure all health and safety standards are met.

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City of Amarillo: Property Taxes Rebated Per Year by Agreement Type 

Overview 

The chart shows the dollar amounts of property taxes rebated per year over the last five fiscal years, broken down by agreement type. There were no Chapter 380 property tax rebates in the first two years listed. The total amount increased slightly each year, with a more significant increase in the most recent year. 

Values 

Numerical values presented on the image: 

 

Fiscal Year 2020/2021 

Fiscal Year 2021/2022 

Fiscal Year 2022/2023 

Fiscal Year 2023/2024 

Fiscal Year 2024/2025 

Chapter 311 

$533,080 

$547,426 

$574,947 

$591,249 

$821,350 

Chapter 380 

$0 

$0 

$37,387 

$39,172 

$61,013 

Presentation 

The bar chart shows the amount of property taxes rebated in the past five fiscal years, broken down by agreement type. The horizontal axis shows each of the past five fiscal years and the vertical axis shows the dollar amount rebated. For each fiscal year there is vertical column, comprised of two stacked columns, each of which representing the different agreement types. 

City of Amarillo: Number of Tax Abatements Granted Per Year 

Overview 

The chart shows the number of businesses that received a tax abatement from the City of Amarillo in the past five fiscal years. The 2020/21 and 2021/22 fiscal years each had four active abatements, 2022/23 had five, and 2023/24 and 2024/25 each had seven. 

Values 

Numerical values presented on the image: 

 

Fiscal Year 2020/2021 

Fiscal Year 2021/2022 

Fiscal Year 2022/2023 

Fiscal Year 2023/2024 

Fiscal Year 2024/2025 

Active Abatements Per Year 

4 

4 

5 

7 

7 

Presentation 

The bar chart shows the number of businesses that received a tax abatement from the City of Amarillo in the past five fiscal years. The horizontal axis shows each of the past five fiscal years and the vertical axis shows the number of active abatements each year. Each year has one column, with the height indicating number of active abatements in that year.

Amount of Taxes Abated Per Year 

Overview 

The chart shows the dollar amounts abated over the past five fiscal years from Chapter 312 tax abatement agreements. Each fiscal year shows a larger dollar amount abated, with minor growth over the first three years, a higher increase in the fourth year, and minor growth again in the fifth year. 

Values 

Numerical values presented on the image: 

 

Fiscal Year 2020/2021 

Fiscal Year 2021/2022 

Fiscal Year 2022/2023 

Fiscal Year 2023/2024 

Fiscal Year 2024/2025 

Taxes Abated by City of Amarillo 

$510,061 

$623,017 

$679,849 

$965,261 

$1,143,899 

Total Abated by All Entities Including City of Amarillo 

$1,569,512 

$1,926,332 

$2,103,099 

$2,884,936 

$2,959,496 

Presentation 

The bar chart represents the amount of taxes abated over the past five fiscal years. The horizontal axis shows each of the past five fiscal years and the vertical axis shows the dollar amount abated. The bar representing taxes abated by the City of Amarillo is sightly offset to the side of the bar representing the amount abated by all participating tax entities for each fiscal year. This shows that the amount abated by the City of Amarillo is a part of the total amount abated by all entities.

City of Amarillo: Taxes Rebated Per Year by Type 

Overview 

This chart shows the dollar amounts rebated by the City of Amarillo from economic development incentive agreements over the past five fiscal years. Each year is broken down by rebate type, including property tax rebates, hotel occupancy tax rebates, and sales tax rebates. Each fiscal year shows a slight increase in total dollars rebated, with a more drastic increase in the most recent fiscal year. 

Values 

Numerical values presented on the image: 

 

Fiscal Year 2020/2021 

Fiscal Year 2021/2022 

Fiscal Year 2022/2023 

Fiscal Year 2023/2024 

Fiscal Year 2024/2025 

Property Tax Rebates 

$533,080 

$547,426 

$612,334 

$630,421 

$882,363 

Hotel Occupancy Tax Rebates 

$686,747 

$753,112 

$794,828 

$871,423 

$808,348 

Sales Tax Rebates 

$0 

$21,046 

$55,528 

$45,881 

$368,716 

 

Presentation 

The bar chart represents the amount rebated by the City of Amarillo for each type of tax rebate over the past five fiscal years. The horizontal axis shows each of the past five fiscal years and the vertical axis shows the dollar amount rebated. The different rebate types are stacked vertically in each fiscal year, with the height representing the total dollar amount rebated.