Food & Alcohol Permits

Food establishment permits

Any business that prepares, serves or sells food to the public needs a City food establishment permit, including restaurants, bars that serve food, grocery and convenience stores, bakeries and caterers. The City contracts with the Brisket County health inspector for plan reviews and inspections under the Texas Food Establishment Rules (25 Tex. Admin. Code ch. 228), and Planning & Development issues the permit.

To open a new or remodeled establishment:

1. Confirm zoning and apply for a certificate of occupancy. See Permits & Inspections.
2. Submit plans for review: a floor plan, equipment list and menu. Review takes up to 10 business days.
3. Schedule a pre-opening inspection through Planning & Development at least 48 hours ahead.
4. Post your permit where customers can see it.

You need at least one certified food manager on staff, and every food employee needs a food handler card within 60 days of hire. The county health inspector makes at least two unannounced inspections a year, and reports are public records. Permits expire September 30 each year. FY 2027 renewals were due September 30, 2026, and a late fee applies after October 31.

Cottage food operations allowed under Tex. Health & Safety Code ch. 437 don’t need a City food permit.

Food trucks

Food trucks and trailers need an annual mobile food unit permit. To apply, bring:

• A passed inspection of the unit by the county health inspector.
• A letter from the permitted commissary where the unit is cleaned, stocked and serviced.
• A free fire safety inspection by the Dongvile Volunteer Fire Department for any unit with propane, a fryer or a generator.
• Current vehicle registration and liability insurance.
• Written permission from the owner of each property where you’ll operate.

Food trucks may operate on private property in the CBD, C-1, C-2, HC, I-1 and I-2 districts. They may not operate on public streets or sidewalks, in residential districts except for private catering, or in City parks without a park vendor permit. A truck may not set up within 100 feet of an open restaurant’s entrance unless the restaurant agrees in writing. If you stay more than two hours, you need written access to a restroom within 500 feet.

A mobile food unit that has not moved in 180 days is a restaurant and must be permitted as one, including a certificate of occupancy for the trailer.

Temporary events

Vendors at festivals, the rodeo, Christmas on the Square and similar events need a temporary food establishment permit for each event of up to 14 days. Apply at least 10 business days ahead; organizers turn in a vendor list by the same deadline. Nonprofits still need a permit, but the fee is waived.

Booths need overhead cover, a handwashing station with a free-flowing spigot, soap and paper towels, and thermometers showing hot food at 135°F or above and cold food at 41°F or below. Home-kitchen food may not be sold unless it qualifies as cottage food.

Alcohol sales

Selling alcohol takes a permit from the Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission (TABC) and sign-off from the City. Beer, wine and mixed beverage sales are legal throughout the city limits.

1. Zoning. Restaurants that serve alcohol are allowed wherever restaurants are. Beer and wine retail is allowed in C-2 and HC. Bars, taverns and nightclubs, where alcohol is more than half of gross sales, need a specific use permit (SUP) in the CBD, C-2 or HC district. Bars that opened before the SUP requirement may continue under their earlier approvals.
2. Location. Under Tex. Alco. Bev. Code §109.33, alcohol may not be sold within 300 feet of a church, public school or public hospital. The City has no additional distance rules.
3. City certification. TABC requires the City to certify that your location is inside the city limits, in a wet area and properly zoned. The City Secretary signs it, usually within 5 business days.
4. Local fee. As allowed by Tex. Alco. Bev. Code §11.38, the City collects a local fee of one-half of the state fee, due at City Hall when the permit is issued and at each renewal.
5. TABC application. Submit your state application with the signed City certification. The TABC notice sign posted during the application period doesn’t need a City sign permit.

Late hours and specific use permits

State standard hours allow on-premises sales until midnight Monday through Friday and until 1:00 a.m. on Saturday night. Selling until 2:00 a.m. requires a TABC late hours certificate and a City SUP.

An SUP application goes to the Planning & Zoning Commission for a public hearing, then to City Council. Owners of property within 200 feet are notified by mail. Council may attach conditions on hours, noise, lighting, parking and equipment. Applicants may propose their own conditions, and Council generally accepts them. Notable conditions on file include:

SUP	Business	Condition
SUP-1998-01	Last Call Larry’s	Last call no later than 9:15 p.m. (applicant’s request)
SUP-2003-07	Neon Armadillo Dance Hall	Neon armadillo sign capped at 14 ft
SUP-2011-02	The Rusty Spur Saloon	No amplified fiddle after 11:00 p.m.
SUP-2016-03	The Tipsy Tumbleweed	The rooftop patio is not a roof
SUP-2019-04	Club Velour	Fog machine limited to three bursts per hour
SUP-2022-11	Club Synergy	Light-up floor off during council meetings

View Last Call Larry's on the map

Fees

Permit or service	Fee
Food establishment, prepackaged food only	$100 per year
Food establishment, up to 50 seats	$200 per year
Food establishment, 51 or more seats	$300 per year
Plan review, new or remodeled establishment	$150
Mobile food unit	$150 per year
Temporary food establishment	$35 per vendor per event (waived for nonprofits)
Reinspection after a failed inspection	$75
Late renewal	50% of the permit fee
Local alcohol permit fee	One-half of the state fee
Specific use permit application	$400

Fees are paid at City Hall by cash, check or money order.

Last updated September 28, 2026