Environmental Health Services
Environmental Health is important to the Austin community. This division provides food safety inspections, inspections at pools, spas, and interactive water features and fountains, state-mandated inspections at custodial care facilities, vector control and pest investigations, and responds to environmental complaints and public health nuisances.
--> To search for and view full inspection reports, visit Home | Austin Public Health | My Health Department.
- News and Announcements
Environmental Health Services Retail Program Changes
We want to inform you of the upcoming changes to food permit fees with Austin Public Health (APH), Environmental Health Services (EHS). On August 14, 2025, Austin City Council approved new fees for mobile vending, temporary food permits, *retail food permits, and mobile fire fees.
- Attention: Please be aware that we have updated our fee schedule.
- For more information visit Environmental Health Services Retail Program Changes | AustinTexas.gov.
- All new fees will take effect on October 1, 2025.
Mobile Vending Onsite Permitting Inspection Pilot Program
We’d like to share an important update regarding the Mobile Vending Onsite Permitting Inspection Pilot Program. City Council has recently approved the fees for onsite permitting inspections as part of the pilot. Our team is currently developing the process to review and schedule appointments for interested vendors. We anticipate the pilot will begin in late summer 2025.
While we move forward with the planning phase, we are also closely monitoring House Bill 2844, which may impact our local program. If enacted, this bill would transfer oversight of mobile vending from the local level to the State, potentially requiring us to discontinue the pilot.
We will continue to keep you informed as we learn more. In the meantime, we appreciate your patience and interest in participating. If you have any questions, feel free to contact us at 512-978-0300 Option #5 (press twice).
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.
- Permit Fee Schedule
- We operate on a cost-recovery fee structure. Permit and inspection fees are set to cover the cost-of-service delivery—developed through cost-of-service analyses—and adjusted via City Council resolutions to maintain program operations without generating surplus revenue.
- My Health Department — Customer Portal
We are transitioning from paper applications to the My Health Department Customer Portal. Through this portal, you can create an account, update contact information, review submitted documents and make payments online.
--> Access the portal here: https://myhealthdepartment.com/APH/login.
Food Safety Programs
The division ensures food safety for all food establishments. Click the links below to visit the selected program page:
--> Mobile Food Vendors Program
--> Charitable Feeding Organizations
--> Farmers Markets
--> Vending Machine Application
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 and injuries. Click the link below to visit the pool, spa, and interactive water features and fountains page:
--> Pools, Spas, Interactive Water Features and Fountains
Custodial Care Facilities: Childcare, Foster Care, and Adoption Housing
The division performs state-mandated inspections required for custodial care facilities, such as childcare, foster care and adoption housing.
--> To apply for a new permit, please visit the My Health Department Customer Portal at https://myhealthdepartment.com/APH/login, or complete and return the Custodial Care Inspection Application (PDF, Date).
- City of Austin/Inter-Local Fees
Permit Fees for Custodial Care Facilities:
Permit Fee Type Permitting Fee Custodial Inspection $110 Qualified High Quality Childcare Facility (COA Only) $0 - Travis County Fees
Permit Fees for Custodial Care Facilities:
Permit Fee Type Permitting Fee Custodial Inspection n/a - Fee Waivers for High-Quality Child-Care providers in Austin information
As a support for high quality child-care providers that accept child-care subsidies, Austin Public Health’s (APH) Environmental Health Services Division offers fee waivers for Custodial Care Inspections and Food Enterprise Permits for facilities within the City of Austin.
--> For more information, please see Fee Waivers for High-Quality Child-Care providers in Austin information.
- Phone: (512) 978-0300 and select option 5.
- Email: ehsd.service@austintexas.gov
- Mailing Address: Environmental Health Services, PO Box 142529, Austin, TX 78714
- Physical Address: Environmental Health Services, 1520 Rutherford Lane, Building One
- Lobby Hours: 7:45am - 3:30pm | Office Hours: 7:45am - 4:45pm
Complaints and Public Health Nuisances
City of Austin: Within the city limits, we investigate Animal Enclosures/Setback Limits, Smoking in Public Places, Minors' Access to Tobacco, food handling, and reports of foodborne illness (food poisoning).
--> To report nuisances, visit 311 | AustinTexas.gov. To report a smoking violation in the City of Austin, visit 311 | AustinTexas.gov or fill out a smoking violation form.
Travis County: Outside the city limits, we investigate nuisances related to trash, rubbish, debris, junked vehicles, tall weeds/grass, mosquito harbors, unmaintained pools, and substandard structures. For more information visit Public Health Regulations for Unincorporated Areas of Travis County | AustinTexas.gov.
--> To report a nuisance, visit 311 | AustinTexas.gov.
Mosquito and Rodent Control
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. Click on the links below for more information:
--> Environmental Vector Control | Austin Public Health | AustinTexas.gov
--> Mosquito | Austin Public Health | AustinTexas.gov
Contact Us
How can you get in touch with us? Fill out the contact us form. Reach us via phone, email, by mail or in-person at the address below. View a map of our location.
Have Feedback?
To help us better serve our customers, please provide feedback through the online survey below. 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.
--> Feedback Survey: Austin Public Health Environmental Health Services
Resources
- Food Handler and Food Manager Requirements
- 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.
- 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)
- Full List of Services
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.