APH Central Preparation Facility (Commissary) Registration: Austin restaurant guide
Austin Public Health — Environmental Health Services
What it is
A fixed, permitted food business that provides kitchen space, water, grease-trap or storage services to mobile food vendors must register with APH as a Central Preparation Facility (CPF). Every food truck must have a CPF — your restaurant can be its own truck's CPF, or a shared/ghost kitchen can register to host other operators.
When a restaurant needs it
If your restaurant or shared kitchen will service a food truck (yours or others'), or you operate a commissary/shared kitchen.
How to apply
Submit the CPF registration to APH with your Food Enterprise permit; pay $150 (City of Austin / interlocal; free in unincorporated Travis County).
Documents you’ll need
- Active Food Enterprise Operating Permit
- CPF registration form
- Contract with each mobile unit served
Good to know
A delivery-only (ghost) kitchen that only cooks for its own brands needs just the regular Food Enterprise permit; CPF registration is for hosting mobile units.
Official source
APH — fixed food establishments (CPF registration) · APH — permit fee schedule
Answer a few questions about your space and get every permit in order, with a timeline, a cost range, walkthroughs, and every application filled in for you to sign with Open.
Last reviewed 2026-10-06. Guidance only, not legal advice.