Vendor Guide • Village of Surfside Beach, Texas

Vendor Guide

Mobile food vendors, temporary and event vendors, and beach-vending guidance in Surfside Beach, Texas

Find Your Permit Permit Types Next Steps Contact

Before You Apply

Important update for food trucks: Beginning July 1, 2026, mobile food vendors are licensed by the State of Texas under Health and Safety Code Chapter 437B. Surfside Beach may still enforce local laws that do not conflict with state law, including beach, dune, obstruction, parking, fire, and nuisance-related rules.

Mobile Food Vendors

Food trucks and similar food vending vehicles follow the state process.

All Other Vendors

Temporary, individual, and master vendors follow the Village permit process.

Find Your Permit

Use the sections below to identify the path that applies to your activity.

Food Truck or Mobile Food Vehicle

If you sell food from a vehicle, you likely fall under the state mobile food vendor process under H.B. 2844 and Health and Safety Code Chapter 437B.

  • Obtain a state mobile food vendor license for each vehicle
  • Complete the required health inspection process
  • Contact City Hall to confirm local non-conflicting rules before operating in Surfside Beach
Operating on the beach or in a special access area?

Mobile Beach Vendors may operate on the beach only if they meet the requirements of Village Code Sec. 30-21.

  • Must have a physical storefront registered with the Village
  • Only one mobile vehicle is allowed per storefront
  • Vehicle must be self-propelled and may not be a trailer or pull a trailer
  • Operation is limited to the beach area between the Yucca entrance and the city limits
  • Must not obstruct traffic flow or roadway access
  • Must be registered with the Village and pay the required fee
  • Must also obtain the required State of Texas permit or license

Important: Operating on the beach outside of this program is not allowed.

Non-Food Vendor

Will you operate on the public beach or another public area?
Public Beach or Public Area

Vendors are not allowed to operate on the public beach or other public areas unless they qualify as a Mobile Beach Vendor under Village Code Sec. 30-21.
Do you qualify as a Mobile Beach Vendor?

To operate on the beach, all of the following must apply:

  • You have a physical storefront registered with the Village of Surfside Beach
  • You are limited to one mobile vehicle per storefront
  • The vehicle is self-propelled and is not a trailer
  • You operate only between the Yucca entrance and the city limits
  • You do not obstruct traffic or roadway access
  • You are registered with the Village and pay the required fee
  • You obtain any required State of Texas permits

If you do not meet all of these requirements, beach vending is not allowed.

Next Step: If you are unsure whether you qualify, contact City Hall before operating.

Operating on private property?

Temporary or Event Vendor

For a single event or limited dates.

  • Confirm event dates
  • Confirm property owner permission
  • Submit the required Village permit materials to City Hall before operating

Individual or Master Vendor

For ongoing or non-event operation.

  • Gather required documents
  • Confirm private-property location
  • Contact City Hall to confirm whether you need an individual vendor permit or a master vendor permit

State and Local Requirements

Mobile Food Vendors (Food Trucks)

Regulated by the State of Texas

  • Governed under H.B. 2844 and Health and Safety Code Chapter 437B
  • Requires a state-issued mobile food vending license for each food vending vehicle
  • Health inspections are conducted by the State or approved local partners under state authority

What Surfside Can Still Regulate:

  • Location, access, parking, and obstruction
  • Beach and dune protection rules
  • Public safety, nuisance, and non-conflicting local requirements

All Other Vendors

Regulated by the Village of Surfside Beach

  • Temporary, individual, and master vendors follow the Village permit process
  • Operation is generally limited to approved private property
  • Village permit fees apply where authorized by ordinance

Typical Village Requirements:

  • Property owner permission
  • Texas sales tax permit
  • Insurance
  • Trash and restroom plan
  • Compliance with Village Code Chapter 30

Permit Types

Mobile Food Vendor State License

Food trucks and other food vending vehicles are regulated by the State of Texas under Chapter 437B.

Temporary or Event Vendor Village Permit

Non-food booths, tents, tables, and similar short-term setups tied to a specific event or limited dates.

Individual Vendor Village Permit

Goods, wares, clothing, jewelry, crafts, furniture, or similar items sold from portable, mobile, or temporary setups on private property.

Master Vendor Village Permit

A property owner or operator who allows multiple vendors to sell from property owned by the master vendor permit holder.

Beach Rules

  • Most vendors are not allowed on the public beach
  • Operation is generally limited to private property
  • Mobile beach vendors must meet the specific requirements of Village Code Sec. 30-21
  • Vendors may not operate on sand dunes

What You Need

For Temporary, Individual, and Master Vendors

  • Property owner permission or proof of ownership
  • Current Texas Sales Tax Permit
  • Trash service contract or statement
  • Restroom access or portable restroom contract or statement
  • Photos of the interior and exterior setup
  • Legal name and mailing address
  • Liability insurance
  • Required deposit and Village permit fee

For Mobile Food Vendors / Food Trucks

  • State mobile food vending license from DSHS beginning July 1, 2026
  • State health inspection or inspection under a collaborative agreement
  • Vehicle registration and insurance
  • Compliance with state food safety requirements
  • At least one current food safety certification in the vehicle
  • Compliance with local laws that do not conflict with Chapter 437B

Next Steps

1) Determine your path

Use the Permit Finder if you are unsure. Food trucks follow the state mobile food vendor process. Temporary, individual, and master vendors follow the Village permit process.

2) Confirm your location

Most non-food vendors may operate only on private property with owner permission. Mobile food vendors should confirm that the proposed location complies with local laws that do not conflict with Chapter 437B.

3) Gather the right documents

Village-permitted vendors need the local application packet. Mobile food vendors need the state licensing and inspection materials required by DSHS.

4) Use the correct submission path

Temporary, individual, and master vendors submit to City Hall. Mobile food vendors should complete the state process and then contact City Hall to confirm local operating rules, location issues, beach restrictions, and any non-conflicting local requirements.

Vendor vs. Regular Business

Vendor

  • Food truck or trailer
  • Pop-up tent or booth
  • Mobile or temporary setup
  • Operates with a state license or Village permit, depending on type

Regular Business

  • Permanent building such as a store, restaurant, or gas station
  • Fixed location with utilities
  • Approved through zoning, building, and other standard business requirements
  • Does not use a vendor permit simply because it is a permanent business

Fees and Permits

Mobile Food Vendors (Food Trucks)

  • No Village permit fee for operation on private property where state law preempts local permitting
  • State licensing and inspection fees may apply through DSHS
  • Additional fees may apply for public parks, City-sponsored events, or parking where allowed by law

All Other Vendors

  • Village permit required prior to operation
  • Village permit fees apply
  • Contact City Hall for the current adopted fee schedule

References and State Resources

Village of Surfside Beach Ordinances

  • Chapter 30, Article II, Sec. 30-19: Vendor definitions
  • Chapter 30, Article II, Sec. 30-20: Permit requirements, operating rules, issuance, revocation, and vendor standards
  • Chapter 30, Article II, Sec. 30-21: Mobile beach vendor rules
  • Sec. 28-62: Beach recreation area rules and beach vending restrictions

Texas State Law

  • H.B. 2844 / Health and Safety Code Chapter 437B: Mobile Food Vendor Regulatory Consistency Act
  • Effective date: July 1, 2026 for state licensing requirements
  • Rulemaking: Chapter 437B implementation was assigned to DSHS before the licensing start date

Texas State Resources

Helpful State Notes

  • DSHS administers retail food permitting and state mobile food vendor implementation
  • Temporary retail food establishments generally operate for no more than 14 consecutive days in conjunction with a single event
  • Some food businesses do not require permits under state law; review DSHS guidance for current exemptions

DSHS Contact: 512-834-6727

Contacts and Hours

City Hall - Permits and Applications

Phone: (979) 233-1531 ext. 106

Email: csr@surfsidetx.org

Address: 1304 Monument Drive, Surfside Beach, TX 77541

State Food Licensing

State licensing and health inspections for mobile food vendors are governed by Texas Health and Safety Code Chapter 437B. Contact City Hall if you need help determining whether your operation is a state-licensed mobile food vendor or a Village-permitted vendor.

Disclaimer: This page is a public guide. State law, including Texas Health and Safety Code Chapter 437B, Village Code, county requirements, DSHS guidance, and adopted fees control if there is any conflict.