For the purpose of this article, the following words shall mean as follows:
Commissary.
A catering establishment, restaurant, or any other place in which food, containers, or supplies are kept, handled, prepared, packaged or stored.
Employee.
The permit holder, individual having supervisory or management duties, person on the payroll, family member, volunteer, person performing work under contractual agreement, or any other person working in a food establishment.
Food.
Any raw, cooked, or processed edible substance, ice, beverage or ingredient used or intended for use or for sale in whole or in part for human consumption.
Food establishment.
Each of the following types of food establishments: commissary, mobile food unit, food processing establishment, food service establishment, retail food store, and temporary food service establishment.
Food processing establishment.
A commercial establishment in which food is manufactured or packaged for human consumption. The term does not include a food service establishment, retail food store, or commissary operation.
Food service establishment.
Any place where food is prepared and intended for individual portion service, and includes the site at which individual portions are provided. The term includes any such place regardless of whether consumption is on or off the premises and regardless of whether there is a charge for the food. The term includes delicatessens that offer prepared food in individual service portions. The term does not include private homes where food is prepared or served for individual family consumption, retail food stores, the location of food vending machines, and supply vehicles.
Mobile food unit.
A vehicle-mounted food service establishment designed to be readily movable.
Person.
Includes any individual, partnership, corporation, association, trustee, or other legal entity.
Regulatory authority.
The physician designated to administer state and local laws relating to public health.
Retail food store.
Any establishment or section of an establishment where food and food products are offered to the consumer and intended for off-premises consumption. The term includes delicatessens that offer prepared food in bulk quantities only. The term does not include establishments which handle only prepackaged, non-potentially hazardous foods; roadside markets that offer only fresh fruits and fresh vegetables for sale; food service establishments; or food and beverage vending machines as defined in Vending of Food and Beverages, 1978, Department of Health, Education and Welfare Publication No. (FDA) 78-2091.
Temporary food service establishment.
A food service establishment that operates at a fixed location for a period of time of not more than fourteen (14) consecutive days in conjunction with a single event or celebration.
(Ordinance adopting 2024 Code)
(a) 
For the purpose of protecting the public health, the following rules, including any amendments, copies of which shall be on file with the city and available for inspection, are hereby adopted:
(1) 
Rules on Retail Food Store Sanitation (title 25, Health Services, part 1, Texas Department of Health, chapter 229. Food and Drug Retail Food Store Sanitation, 25 TAC sections 229.231–229.239).
(2) 
Rules on Food Service Sanitation (Texas Department of Health, 301.73.11.001–.011).
(b) 
The rules herein adopted shall establish standards for the inspection of food establishments, as herein defined, within the city, shall be the basis for issuing and revoking permits for the operation of such establishments, and shall provide the standards for the determination of adulterated, misbranded or unwholesome food.
(c) 
In the event there is any conflict between the provisions contained in the city code and the provisions contained in the rules adopted herein, the provisions of the city code shall apply.
(d) 
Homemade confections, breads, or pastries which are not a cream or cream-filled type and which are not deemed "potentially hazardous" by the regulatory authority may be sold to the general public during fundraising events, such as bake sales, provided the seller has gone through the proper steps to secure a temporary permit from the regulatory authority.
(Ordinance adopting 2024 Code)
(a) 
Generally.
No person shall operate a food establishment who does not have a valid permit issued to him by the regulatory authority. Only a person who complies with the requirements of these rules shall be entitled to receive or retain such a permit. Permits are not transferable. A valid permit shall be posted in every food establishment.
(b) 
Application; issuance.
(1) 
Any person desiring to operate a food establishment shall make written application for a permit on forms provided by the regulatory authority. Such application shall include the name and address of each applicant, the location and type of the proposed food establishment, and the signature of each applicant. In addition, plans must be submitted for review with such application as required.
(2) 
The regulatory authority shall issue a permit to the applicant if its inspection reveals that the proposed food establishment complies with the requirements of these rules and if it has received the proper permit fee as required herein.
(c) 
Suspension.
(1) 
The regulatory authority may, without warning, notice, or hearing, suspend any permit to operate a food establishment if the holder of the permit does not comply with the requirements of these rules, or if the operation of the establishment does not comply with the requirements of these rules, or if the operation of the food service establishment otherwise constitutes a substantial hazard to public health. Suspension is effective upon service of the notice. When a permit is suspended, food operations shall immediately cease. Whenever a permit is suspended, the holder of the permit shall be afforded an opportunity for a hearing within twenty (20) days of receipt of a request for a hearing.
(2) 
Whenever a permit is suspended, the holder of the permit, or the person in charge, shall be notified in writing that the permit is, upon service of the notice, immediately suspended and that an opportunity for a hearing will be provided if a written request for a hearing is filed with the regulatory authority by the holder of the permit within ten days. If no written request for hearing is filed within ten days, the suspension is sustained. The regulatory authority may end the suspension at any time if reasons for suspension no longer exist.
(d) 
Revocation.
The regulatory authority may, after providing opportunity for a hearing, revoke a permit for serious or repeated violations of any of the requirements of these rules or for interference with the regulatory authority in the performance of its duties. Prior to revocation, the regulatory authority shall notify the holder of the permit, or the person in charge, in writing, of the reason for which the permit is subject to revocation and that the permit shall be revoked at the end of ten (10) days following service of such notice unless a written request for a hearing is filed with the regulatory authority by the holder of the permit within such ten (10) day period. If no request for hearing is filed, the revocation of the permit becomes final.
(e) 
Service of notices.
A notice provided for in these rules is properly served when it is personally delivered to the holder of the permit, or the person in charge, or when it is sent by registered or certified mail, return receipt requested, to the last known address of the holder of the permit. A copy of the notice shall be filed in the records of the regulatory authority.
(f) 
Hearings.
The hearings provided for in these rules shall be conducted by the regulatory authority at a time and place designated by it. Based upon the recorded evidence of such hearing, the regulatory authority shall make a final finding, and shall sustain, modify or rescind any notice or order considered in the hearing. A written report of the hearing decision shall be furnished to the holder of the permit by the regulatory authority.
(g) 
Application after revocation.
Whenever a revocation of a permit has become final, the holder of the revoked permit may make written application for a new permit.
(h) 
Fees.
The fee for a food establishment shall be as established by the city council.
(i) 
Renewal.
Permits for the operation of all food establishments, with the exception of temporary food establishments, shall expire on December 31 of each year and must be renewed annually and the fee provided for herein will become due and payable the first of January of each year. Such permits may be obtained during the month of December just prior to the date of expiration, or they may be secured during a period of grace between January 1 and February 1, following the date of expiration. Failure to secure a permit within the time provided in this section shall result in a charge of twice the amount otherwise due for a permit under this section.
(Ordinance adopting 2024 Code)
(a) 
Frequency of inspections.
An inspection of a food establishment, with the exception of a mobile food establishment, shall be performed at least once every six months. A mobile food establishment which deals in products which the regulatory authority deems “potentially hazardous foods” is required to appear weekly at the regulatory authority, at regular hours to be specified by the regulatory authority, for every week the mobile establishment is in operation. Additional inspections of the food establishment shall be performed as often as necessary for the enforcement of these rules.
(b) 
Access to premises and records.
Agents of the regulatory authority, after proper identification, shall be permitted to enter any food establishment at any reasonable time for the purpose of making inspections to determine compliance with these rules. The agents shall be permitted to examine the records of the establishments to obtain information pertaining to food and supplies purchased, received, or used, or to persons employed.
(c) 
Report of inspection.
Whenever an inspection of a food establishment or commissary is made, the findings shall be recorded on an inspection report form approved by the regulatory authority.
(d) 
Correction of violations.
(1) 
The inspection report form shall specify a reasonable period of time for the correction of the violations found, and correction of the violations shall be accomplished within the period specified, in accordance with the following provisions:
(A) 
If an imminent health hazard exists, such as complete lack of refrigeration or sewage backup into the establishment, the establishment shall immediately cease food service operations. Operations shall not be resumed until authorized by the regulatory authority.
(B) 
In the case of temporary food service establishments, all violations shall be corrected within twenty-four (24) hours. If violations are not corrected within twenty-four (24) hours, the establishment shall immediately cease food service operations until authorized to resume by the regulatory authority.
(2) 
The inspection report shall state that failure to comply with any time limits for corrections may result in cessation of food operations. An opportunity for appeal from the inspection findings and time limitations will be provided if a written request for a hearing is filed with the regulatory authority within ten (10) days following cessation of operations. If a request for a hearing is received, a hearing shall be held within twenty (20) days of receipt of the request.
(3) 
Whenever a food establishment is required under the provisions of this rule to cease operations, it shall not resume operations until such time as a reinspection determines that the condition responsible for cessation of operations no longer exists. Opportunity for reinspection shall be offered within a reasonable time.
(Ordinance adopting 2024 Code)
Food may be examined or sampled by the regulatory authority as often as necessary for enforcement of these rules. The regulatory authority may, upon written notice to the owner or person in charge, specifying with particularity the reasons therefor, place a hold order on any food which it believes is in violation. The regulatory authority shall tag, label, or otherwise identify any food subject to the hold order. No food subject to a hold order shall be used, served, or moved from the establishment. The regulatory authority shall permit storage of the food under conditions specified in the hold order, unless storage is not possible without risk to the public health, in which case immediate destruction shall be ordered and accomplished. The hold order shall state that a request for hearing may be filed within ten days and that if no hearing is requested the food shall be destroyed. A hearing shall be held if so requested, and, on the basis of evidence produced at that hearing, the hold order may be vacated, or the owner or person in charge of the food may be directed by written order to denature or destroy such food or to otherwise bring it into compliance with the provisions of these rules.
(Ordinance adopting 2024 Code)
(a) 
Submission of plans.
Whenever a food establishment is constructed or extensively remodeled and whenever an existing structure is converted to use as a food establishment, properly prepared plans and specifications for such construction, remodeling, or conversion shall be submitted to the regulatory authority for review and approval before construction, remodeling or conversion is begun. The plans and specifications shall indicate the proposed layout, arrangement, mechanical plans, and construction materials of work areas, and the type and model of proposed fixed equipment and facilities. The regulatory authority shall approve the plans and specifications if they meet the requirements of these rules. No food establishment shall be constructed, extensively remodeled, or converted except in accordance with plans and specifications approved by the regulatory authority.
(b) 
Follow-up inspection.
In the case of additions, remodeling, or conversions, after plans have been submitted and approved by the regulatory authority, it must complete a follow-up inspection of the new portion of the establishment prior to its use to determine compliance with the requirements of these rules and with the approved plans and specifications.
(Ordinance adopting 2024 Code)
When the regulatory authority has reasonable cause to suspect the possibility of disease transmission from any food service establishment employee, it may secure morbidity history of the suspected employee or make any other investigation as may be indicated and shall take appropriate action. The regulatory authority may require any or all of the following measures:
(1) 
The immediate exclusion of the employee from all food establishments;
(2) 
The immediate closing of the food establishment concerned until, in the opinion of the regulatory authority, no further danger of disease outbreak exists;
(3) 
Restriction of the employee's services to some area of the establishment where there would be no danger of transmitting disease;
(4) 
Adequate medical and laboratory examination of the employee, of other employees, and of his and their body discharges.
(Ordinance adopting 2024 Code)