Temporary Food Events Need a Permit in Austin-Travis County

Hand a stranger a plate or a drink at any event around Austin-Travis County and there has to be a temporary food permit behind it first. Where organizers get burned is whose name goes on that permit: it's the event organizer who has to pull the food booth permits, not the church-bake-sale lady or the taco guy renting the corner. You can do it in person or online through Austin Public Health.

Get it in early. The completed application is supposed to be in their hands at least ten calendar days ahead, and showing up after that window can mean a flat denial or an expedited-review fee bolted on. So before a market or a fundraiser or a school carnival starts posting flyers about the funnel cakes, get the paperwork squared with Austin Public Health, and if your thing is big enough to need a permitted special event, the Austin Center for Events will have its own hoops on top of that.