Food Safety Programs
The division ensures food safety for all food establishments. There are requirements for food handlers and managers, and four distinct food programs:
- Food Handler/Food Manager Requirements
All employees handling food must be trained in a state-certified training program to ensure knowledge of food safety practices. All food establishments must have a state Certified Food Protection Manager Certificate. - Fixed Food Establishments includes restaurants, school cafeterias, grocery stories, food warehouses, and convenience stores.
- Mobile Food Vendors includes food trucks and trailers, pushcarts, and kiosks.
- Charitable Feeding Organizations includes not for profit charitable feeding organizations.
- Farmers Markets includes all food booths participating in farmers markets.
- Temporary Food Events includes booths that serve food or beverages at events.
- Vending Machines. Permits are required for any vending machines that distribute potentially hazardous (TCS) foods. Get a vending machine application here.
Permit Fee Schedule
Food Safety Resources
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention -- Foodborne Outbreaks
- FDA and USDA Food Safety Information and Recalls
- Conditional Employee and Food Employee Interview (FDA Form 1-A)
- Conditional Employee or Food Employee Reporting Agreement (FDA Form 1-B)
- Conditional Employee or Food Employee Medical Referral (FDA Form 1-C)
Public Health Nuisances
- City of Austin
The following types of nuisances are investigated in the city limits: Animal Enclosures/Setback Limits, Smoking in Public Places, Minors' Access to Tobacco, food handling, and reports of foodborne illness (food poisoning). - Travis County
Outside the city limits, the following types of nuisances are investigated: trash, rubbish, debris, junked vehicles, tall weeds/grass, mosquito harbors, unmaintained pools, and substandard structures.
To report nuisances, contact Austin 3-1-1.
To report a smoking violation in the City of Austin, contact 3-1-1 or fill out a smoking violation form.
Childcare, Foster Care, and Adoption Housing
The division performs state-mandated inspections required for custodial care facilities, such as child care, foster care and adoption housing. Apply for an inspection here.
Pool, Spas, Interactive Water Features & Fountains
The division ensures the health and safety of all public and semi-public aquatic facilities to reduce the incidence of waterborne diseases and accidental drownings/injuries. Learn more here.
Mosquito and Rodent Control (Rodent and Vector)
The division provides on-site assessments and responds to complaints about rodents, mosquitoes, and stinging insects. The program also performs mosquito surveillance (trapping) to identify the source of mosquito borne diseases and applies limited control measures. Learn more here.
Have Feedback?
Help us better serve our customers by providing feedback through our online survey.
To address a concern or request a second opinion regarding an inspection result or complaint, contact us at 512-978-0300 between 7:45 am to 4:45 pm Monday - Friday.
The Environmental Health Services Division (EHSD) promotes public health and safety to ensure compliance with state and local health codes. View a complete list of services.
New Software for APH Environmental Health Services Division Clients!
Starting February 3, 2025, APH Environmental Health Services Division clients will be able to create an account through My Health Department (MyHD) Citizens Portal. Submit applications, make payments, view records, and communicate with staff online all through your MyHD account.
For more information, visit: My Health Department Resource Center | AustinTexas.gov
To get started, visit the My Health Department Citizens Portal: https://myhealthdepartment.com/APH/login
Attention: Office Closure Thursday, January 30, 2025, through Friday, January 31, 2025.
Due to a software enterprise system transition, our offices will be closed on Thursday, January 30, 2025, and Friday, January 31, 2025. Our normal business hours, services, and activities will resume Monday, February 3, 2025 at 7:45 a.m.
What to expect on January 30 and 31:
- No office business will occur during these two days or the weekend (2/1/25 and 2/2/25) to allow all the data to transfer from our previous database to the new database.
- All office business not limited to phones, emails, and payments online and in the office, will be out of service.
- Our online payment service will stop taking payments at 3pm on 1/29/2025.
- Any official business communication will be resumed promptly at 7:45am the 3rd of February.
- If any late fees are incurred from 1/20/2025 to 2/15/2025, they will be waived as a one-time courtesy. After 2/15/2025, all fees incurred, before or after the dates above, will be due.
**Notice: Change in Payment Methods**
Effective November 1st, 2024, EHSD will no longer accept American Express credit card payments online due to system incompatibility. However, you can still make payments with American Express by calling or visiting our cashier’s office.
All other credit cards, including Visa, MasterCard, and Discover, will not be affected, and will continue to be accepted online.
****If you have an American Express Card saved in a wallet, please click this link (https://pay.austintexas.gov/login) to update your credit card to any of those mentioned above. After 11/1/24, payments with American Express will not go through when using it as a one-time payment or with a wallet. ****
For phone payments in our office, please call us at 512-978-0300, option #6 for our cashier.
For walk-in payments, please visit us at: 1520 Rutherford Lane, Bldg. 1, Suite 205 Austin, TX 78754 (7:45am to 3:30pm)
We appreciate your understanding and cooperation.
New Online Payment Option
Attention: As of February 21, 2023, Austin Public Health will now offer an online payment option via Citybase payment portal. From the Citybase online portal, you can make secure payments on your Austin Public Health invoice(s).
You have the option to check out as a Guest (one-time payment) or create a wallet to store payment information. If you would like to create a wallet to store payment information for future use, after checking out as a guest, there is a link to register on the receipt page.
Steps to making a payment online:
- Complete your application, renewal form, or reinspection notice and email to EHSD.Service@austintexas.gov for processing.
- You will receive an email from our staff once we have processed your application, renewal, or reinspection notice. The email will include a link to our payment portal and an invoice number.
- To make a one-time payment, click the Check out as Guest button below to proceed to the Citybase online payment portal.
- Please have your invoice you intend to pay available to complete portal payment.
Make a One-Time Payment by visiting https://austinpay.healthinspections.us/
Find instructions for One-Time Payments by visiting bit.ly/OneTimePaymentInstructions
MOBILE VENDING AND TRAVIS COUNTY INVOICES CAN NOT BE PAID ONLINE
All questions and concerns can be submitted via email to EHSD.Service@austintexas.gov or by contacting 512-978-0300.
In addition to our in-person services, you may submit your applications and requests for processing by:
- Mail: Austin Public Health, PO BOX 142529, Austin, TX 78714; along with payment by check or money order, or
- Email: EHSD.Service@austintexas.gov; and you will receive payment instructions to make payment.