Food Establishment Permit & Plan Review — Austin Public Health

What it is. The food establishment permit authorizing a restaurant to operate, plus a mandatory plan review before new construction or extensive remodeling. Austin Public Health (APH) Environmental Health Services is the joint city-county authority covering the City of Austin, unincorporated Travis County, and several surrounding municipalities.

Who issues it. Austin Public Health — Environmental Health Services, Retail Food Program (City-County layer). Plan Review Desk: (512) 974-3325; walk-in/mail: 1520 Rutherford Ln, Suite 205. Customer service: (512) 978-0300.

When you need it. Submit plans before new construction or extensive remodel (plans must be drawn to scale showing all equipment, plumbing, electrical, and mechanical ventilation); hold the permit before opening.

Restaurants are classified as Food Service Establishments with service type: Seated, Carryout, or Caterer.

How to apply. Submit plans and a permit application by mail or in person at the APH walk-in location; pass the pre-opening inspection.

Fees. Per the APH fee schedule — see source (⟢ VERIFY).

Renewal. Annual.

What SpoonSeal tracks. The document(s) you upload for this requirement, with automatic renewal/expiration tracking (Current, Due Soon, Expired). Where the city publishes health-inspection results (e.g., NYC and Chicago), SpoonSeal syncs them automatically; elsewhere they can be added manually.

References

• Austin Public Health — Fixed Food Establishments — https://www.austintexas.gov/health/fixed-food-establishments — Official source last checked: 2026-07-02
• Austin Public Health — Environmental Health Services — https://www.austintexas.gov/department/environmental-health-services — Official source last checked: 2026-07-02