Food Truck Policy
Texas Southern University Office of Compliance/Environmental Health & Safety Department will provide
oversight and management of the mobile food truck program.
Definitions:
Food Truck - Mobile food Unit shall mean a food service establishment that is vehicle-mounted or
wheeled and is capable of being readily moveable.
OC – TSU Office of Compliance
EH&S – TSU Environmental Health & Safety
ERM – TSU Enterprise Risk Management
Request procedure:
1. All food trucks are required to complete a TSU Request for Food Truck Permit/Inspection.
(a) The Food Truck request must be included as part of the Event Permit Request and must be requested
at a minimum of 14 days before the event date. Any request made less than 14 days before the event
date, may not utilize a Mobile Food Supplier for their event.
(b) Approval/Denial of request for a Food Truck will be based on overall event approval, the location
requested for the supplier, and whether the vendor operation will be disruptive to normal campus
functions. See {link} for a map of approved locations where a Mobile Food Supplier can be utilized.
Locations not on the approved map may not be approved for your event
Upon approval, the following guidelines shall be adhered to:
1. The food truck must be on the OC/EH&S approved list of food trucks. Food Trucks on the approved list are pre-screened based on minimum standards to operate on campus, including but not limited to, a
valid business license, current board of health certificate, and proof of minimum insurance
requirements.
2. All food trucks are required to provide proof of Commercial General Liability, Worker’s Compensation
Liability, and Automobile Liability Insurance coverage at the time of permit application with limits as
specified by OC/Environmental Health & Safety Department including an additional endorsement that
names the appropriate as additional insured parties. Below are specifics on OC/TSU Enterprise Risk
Management Insurance Requirements.
3. State Licensing and Food Safety Compliance
Effective July 1, 2026, all food trucks and mobile food vendors operating on-site must possess a valid Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS) Mobile Food Vendor (MFV) License or an applicable Food Vending Vehicle (FVV) License as required by the State of Texas.
- Texas DSHS (TXDSHS) — Statewide Mobile Food Vendor license for Texas food vending vehicles
In order to receive the Mobile Food Vendor License, you must complete these steps below
- City of Houston Health Department (COHD) — Local inspection scheduling, CPF/servicing rules, and Houston health operations
- Harris County Public Health (HCPH) — Local inspection support and rules for unincorporated Harris County
- Houston Fire Department — Fire safety inspections for propane/cooking equipment
All licenses and permits must:
- Be current and valid;
- Be readily available for inspection upon request; and
- Apply to the specific food vending vehicle being operated on campus.
Vendors who are unable to provide satisfactory proof of the required licenses and permits will not be permitted to operate on University property.
Compliance Requirements
All vendors must:
- Maintain all required state food service licenses and permits;
- Operate in compliance with all applicable food safety and public health regulations;
- Provide proof of licensing upon request by TSU officials; and
- Comply with all applicable inspection requirements.
Annual Safety Certifications
The following documentation must be maintained and made available upon request:
- Commercial kitchen hood inspection tag (annual);
- Portable fire extinguisher with inspection tag for general 2A:10B:C
- Class K fire extinguisher with inspection tag for kitchen.
Additional inspection considerations include:
- Condition of electrical cords and outlets;
- Cleanliness of the unit and cooking equipment;
- Absence of excessive grease or residue accumulation;
- Maintenance of unobstructed exits and access routes; and
- Proper securing and protection of external fuel tanks.
4. A copy of the vendor’s current and valid Texas Sales and Use Tax Permit must be provided. The
provided permit must be registered under the mobile vending unit owner’s name or under the business
name of the mobile vending operation.
5. An “TSU Event Permit” to be displayed prominently for each food truck will be provided in order to
verify approval to be on campus. All food trucks are to maintain insurance coverage and keep medallion
up to date. Any food trucks with expired or lack of insurance coverage as noted below shall be deemed
non-eligible to participate in the Food Truck program and will not be allowed on campus until a current
and accepted proof of coverage is received. Expired medallions will result in non-eligibility to participate
in the program as well.
6. All food trucks must always have all equipment contained within or on the mobile unit and must be
properly enclosed.
7. Food trucks may not sell alcoholic beverages.
8. Food trucks must remove all trash and litter when they leave campus.
9. Food trucks will park in designated parking areas with the permit prominently displayed.
10. Food trucks must obey all University applicable parking, traffic and vehicle safety laws, regulations,
and restrictions.
11. Food trucks should have the ability to accept various forms of payment for food products.
12. Food trucks must prevent the disposal of any materials, including rinse or wash water, any spilled
materials or any waste into streets, gutters, storm drains, or creeks.
13. Food trucks must always maintain a state of mobile readiness.
14. Food trucks can remain in one location no longer than 4 hours.
15. Food trucks may only sell food; no other goods, wares, or other items may be sold.
16. Food trucks will only be allowed to advertise on the truck itself.
17. Food trucks are not allowed to play amplified music or similar noise at the event location and while
on campus.
18. Food trucks are not allowed to advertise their location or the campus event on their social media
page or by other means ahead of or during the event. Day of event signage is limited to menu related
signage and marketing. Vendor will ensure that any signage does not affect the safety or flow of guests.
19. Noncompliance with guidelines by food trucks may result in immediate and/or future loss of
vendor’s privilege to provide service on campus.
Insurance Requirements:
• Worker’s Compensation
Statutory Benefits (Coverage A) Statutory
Employers Liability (Coverage B) $500,000 Each Accident
$500,000 Disease/Employee
$500,000 Disease/Policy Limit
• Automobile Liability
Owned Vehicles $1,000,000
Non-owned Vehicles $1,000,000
Hired Vehicles $1,000,000
• Commercial General Liability
Aggregate Limit $3,000,000
Each Occurrence Limit $1,000,000
Products/Completed Operations $1,000,000
Personal/Advertising Injury $1,000,000
Damage Rented Premises $ 100,000
Medical Payments $ 5,000
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