Food Establishment Permits & Inspections
- Excellence in Food Safety
- Permitting Food Establishments
- Food Establishment Inspections
- Food Establishment Grading
- Mobile Food Units
- Excellence in Food Safety
- Permitting Food Establishments
- Food Establishment Inspections
- Food Establishment Grading
- Mobile Food Units
Excellence in Food Safety Awards
The City of Farmers Branch recognizes Food establishments, including restaurants, fast food establishments, hotels, coffee shops, delis and bakeries for exhibiting excellent food safety and sanitation standards and practices during their inspections. Successful establishments will be determined at the end of December and given notification in January. Establishments may post this certificate in their establishment to indicate their accomplishment. The main purpose is to encourage establishments within the city to achieve food safety goals by practicing effective food sanitation and serving the Citizens of the Farmer's Branch with safe food.
For additional information or if you have comments about the Excellence in Food Safety Awards Program please contact the Health Manager, Liz Aarts at 972-919-2539
Permitting Food Establishments
A person shall not operate a food establishment without a valid permit issued by the Environmental Health Division. If you are planning new commercial construction, a remodel or an ownership change for an existing business, our Guidelines for New Businesses will get you off to the right start.
Regardless of existing conditions of the permitted food establishment, food establishments are required to comply with all current applicable codes when remodeling, changing ownership or changing a menu. Food establishments are required to comply with all current applicable codes. Please call 972-919-2539 with any health-permitting questions.
- Online Health Permit Application
- Health Permit Application (PDF)
- Temporary Food Event Guidelines (PDF)
- Summer Food Service Guidelines (PDF)
- Grease Trap Permit
Food Permit Fees Have Changed As of October 1, 2023
For questions pertaining to food permits, please call 972-919-2539 or email us.
Food Establishment Inspections
The Environmental Health Division has contracted out food establishment inspections to a third-party contractor who will perform regular inspections during regular business hours Monday-Thursday 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Any complaints and citations will be conducted by a City of Farmers Branch Environmental Health representative.
Health Inspection Process – Performance and Risk-Based Inspection
The regulatory authority inspects a food establishment based on an assessment of its compliance history by evaluating:
- Past performance for nonconformance with Food Code that are priority items or priority foundation items
- Past performance for repeat violations that are core items
- Past performance for complaints found to be valid
- The hazards associated with foods that are prepared, stored, or served
- The type of operation
- The number of people served
- Whether the population served is a highly susceptible population
- Any other risk factors deemed relevant to the operation by the regulatory authority
Establishments experiencing problems may be inspected frequently with the frequency determined by the inspector. For example, a follow-up to ensure food handler cards are obtained is appropriate, or if sanitation, pest infestation and cleaning practices, while not yielding a critical item violation, may suggest the inspection frequency be adjusted to a more frequent schedule.
Food Establishment Grading
Learn more about how Farmers Branch grades its restaurants and food service facilities:
The food grading criteria are as follows:
- Excellent, 100 to 97
- Good, 96 to 90
- Satisfactory, 89 to 81
- Poor, 80 to 71
- Failing, 70 or below
Inspection report scores are determined by routine or permit inspections. Scores are not given or changed during re-inspections or follow-up inspections. All scores given during a routine or permit inspection remain unchanged until the next routine or permit inspection.
Mobile Food Units
Effective September 1, 2023, any mobile food unit (MFU) vendor conducting business in multiple municipalities within Dallas County is now required to secure a permit from the Dallas County Health and Human Services Department. It's essential to note that while an MFU permit issued by Dallas County is in effect, it does not exempt MFUs from adhering to Farmers Branch laws and regulations pertaining to zoning, parking, non-food truck restrictions, as well as requirements for police and fire permits, and other relevant ordinances.
Mobile Food Units wanting to operate in Farmers Branch will need to reach out to the Planning & Zoning Department for any questions on permits. Please see the quick links below for the MFU Guide. Please call 972-919-2542 for further information.
Important Considerations
A Dallas County-issued MFU permit is for Health and Safety inspection only. MFUs must comply with the Fire and Safety inspection requirements for the cities in which they plan to operate. Mobile food units with appliances that produce smoke or grease-laden vapors will need to apply for a permit with Farmers Branch Fire Department. Please contact the Fire Department at (972) 919-2655 for further information.