The route from idea to open.
The permits we identify between you and opening day — city, state, and federal — in plain English with fees and processing times cited to the office that issues each one.
- Free route maps
- 4,059Free guides
- States covered
- 50States + DC
- Official sources cited
- 9,502Sources cited
Food Truck · Austin, TX 2-6 weeks
EIN (Employer Identification Number)
Free · Immediate (online application)
Texas Sales Tax Permit
Free · Immediate (online application)
Mobile Food Unit Permit - Texas DSHS (formerly Austin Public Health)
$258 per unit · 2-4 weeks after application submission and inspection
Mobile Food Unit Permit - Texas DSHS (pre-packaged-only vendors included)
$258 per unit · 1-2 weeks
Open for business
$500–$1,200 est. total
How it works
Tell us what you’re starting
Pick your business type and city to browse a free guide — or answer a few questions to get a report personalized to your business.
Get the cited checklist
The requirements we identify at the city, county, state, and federal level — with fees, processing timelines, and links to official government sources.
File with confidence
Work through the list in order and apply directly with each agency. You always deal with the government yourself — no middleman fees.
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The StartPermit Report
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- The permits, licenses, and registrations we identify — city, county, state, and federal
- Fees and processing timelines for each requirement
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Example excerpt
Food Truck · Austin, TX Verified August 2026
- Mobile Food Unit Permit - Texas DSHS (formerly Austin Public Health) $258 per unit City
- Mobile Food Unit Permit - Texas DSHS (pre-packaged-only vendors included) $258 per unit City
- Fire Department Inspection Confirm current AFD mobile vending inspection fee with the Austin Fire Department City
- Texas Sales Tax Permit Free State
- Certified Food Manager Certification ~$35-$150 depending on provider State
- EIN (Employer Identification Number) Free Federal
Drawn from our published research for a food truck in Austin, TX (read the free guide). Your report is generated for your business and city.
Frequently asked questions
What is the StartPermit Report?
A personalized permit checklist for your specific business — your business type, your city, and your business structure. It lists every permit, license, and registration we identify, with fees, processing timelines, the order to file them in, and links to the official applications. It costs $14.99, once.
How is it different from the free guides?
The 4,059 free guides on this site cover a business type in a city in general terms, and they'll stay free. The report is generated from your answers — including your business structure — and assembled into a single checklist in filing order.
Is this legal advice?
No. StartPermit is an informational service. We compile requirements from official government sources and cite them, but we are not a law firm and the report is not legal advice. Always confirm requirements with the issuing agency before you file.
Is it a subscription? Will you charge me again?
No. The report is a one-time $14.99 purchase — there are no recurring charges. It's a snapshot of requirements at the time you buy it; we don't monitor changes or track renewals for you.
What if my report isn't delivered?
If we fail to generate your report after payment, you get a full refund — without having to ask.
About our data
The permit requirements we identify are researched from official government sources — city health departments, state licensing boards, and municipal websites — with 9,502 source citations across 4,059 guides, each carrying a last-verified date. Always confirm requirements directly with your local authority before applying.
Not affiliated with any government agency. Not legal advice.