Bell County Food Permits Depend on the Site and Business Type

A cafe in Harker Heights and one outside the city can have different food-permit desks. Killeen and Harker Heights issue their own permits for fixed food businesses. Bell County Public Health District handles the county permit in the rest of Bell County.

Mobile food vendors follow a different rule. Since July 1, 2026, qualifying food trucks, trailers, and carts use a statewide DSHS license. They no longer need a separate food license for every local jurisdiction. A trailer that stays put may not meet that definition. If it does not, use the local permit path.

A fixed central prep kitchen still needs the permit for its location. Do not assume every mobile vendor must rent one: DSHS has service-area and other requirements based on the operation. Ask DSHS which setup fits before buying equipment.

Map the site and describe the actual operation to the permit office before signing a lease. The statewide food license does not erase other applicable local rules.