Food Service

https://www.co.orange.tx.us/departments/EnvironmentalHealthCodeCompliance/FoodService

Important 2026 Food Service Permit Information

The Orange County Environmental Health and Code Compliance Department would like to inform you that it’s almost time to renew your Food Service Permit for 2026. Please note that the Orange County Commissioners Court has adopted a new fee schedule following the passage of Senate Bill 1008 during the most recent Texas Legislative Session. The updated fee schedule includes new late fees and plan review fees for all new construction and remodel projects as well as “Risk” categories for all establishments. Reinspection fees will be applied when an establishment fails a health inspection or when an inspector finds critical or major violations that could be hazardous to the public, requiring a follow-up inspection.

 All food service permit invoices will be emailed on December 1, 2025, to the email address we have on file from last year’s Food Service Permit Application, with payments due by December 31, 2025. Beginning January 1, 2026, a late fee will be assessed on any unpaid invoices. If the email address has changed you will need to contact our office to have your email address changed before December 1,2025.

 In addition to payment, a Food Service Permit Application must be completed and submitted before a permit can be issued. Failure to submit the application and payment by the deadline may result in delays or enforcement actions. You are required to submit your Food Service Permit Application online, where you will also have the option to pay your permit fees electronically at     https://myhealthdepartment.com/orangecotx

 For customers that pay for permits online and receive a message that states “Cart is Expired” you will need to adjust your browser settings.

If you are using Safari:

•      Go to Settings > Privacy and ensure "Prevent cross-site tracking" is enabled.

If you are using Chrome:

• Go to Settings > Privacy and Security > Cookies and other site data and select an option to block third-party cookies. You can also enable "Send a 'Do Not Track' request" in the same menu.

 We appreciate your continued cooperation and commitment to maintaining a safe and healthy food environment for Orange County residents. If you have any questions or need assistance with your renewal, please contact our office at (409) 745-1463 or email us at Environmental@co.orange.tx.us.

Food Service Permits and Inspection are required for all Retail Food Establishments located in Orange County.  Our office services the following areas:

City of Orange
City of Pinehurst
City of West Orange
City of Bridge City
City of Vidor 2006
City of Rose City
City of Pine Forest
All unincorporated areas

Permit Fee Schedule 

Inspections

Specialized inspections on all Food Service Establishments are completed to ensure compliance with State and local health laws and regulations. Restaurants, Convenience Stores, Grocery Stores and Deli, Roadside Vendors, Daycares, Snow Cone Stands, Meat/Fish Markets, Schools and local Soup Kitchens are inspected by one of our trained Health Inspectors. Copies of each establishments inspection are available upon request through the establishment or we can provide you that information.

Texas Health and Safety Code Chapter 437: Regulation of Food Service Establishments, Retail Food Stores, Mobile Food Units and Roadside Food Vendors.

Food Complaints

If you have had a bad experience with a particular establishment, please contact us so that we may investigate the complaint further. Please have important details about your experience including establishment name, time, foods that were ordered and what issues are needing to be addressed. Call our office to submit a complaint.

Cottage Food Law

Texas Cottage Food Law allows the sale of certain foods that are prepared in residential homes. This type of business is not regulated by a local or state health department unless there is concern for public's health and safety. If you are looking a starting a Cottage Food business please see this FAQ sheet before you get started.

Cottage Food Law FAQ

Cottage Food Law Information Packet

Please click the links below for further information regarding specific topics.

Emergency Management Documents

Boil Water Notice Information
Reopening a Retail Food Establishment After an Emergency