Health Division

Health is a division of the Planning & Development Services Department of the City of Mesquite.  This division performs ordinance enforcement for the purpose of preventing foodborne illness and protecting public health.

Responsibilities

The Health Division conducts random quarterly health inspections for food establishments, daycares, and schools.  This division is also responsible for permitting and inspecting apartment, home owner's association and hotel/motel swimming pools.  Other duties include permitting and inspecting mobile vendors, liquid waste haulers, food vendors participating in temporary events, investigating smoking complaints, inspecting foster homes and mosquito control.

Mission

The City of Mesquite Health Division is dedicated to providing safe, clean, and disease-free food establishments for the dining community. Accomplishing this requires:

  • Emphasizing prevention, suppression, and control of communicable and infectious diseases
  • Providing quick and courteous responses to service requests
  • Establishing cooperative working relationships with food establishments
  • Providing education in proper food handling techniques and foodborne illness prevention measures

The responsibility and accountability for achieving these objectives is shared by each staff member. Each employee is responsible for performing their job duties to reach these objectives.

New Requirements for Mobile Food Units


House Bill 2878 was passed by the Texas State Legislature and is effective on September 1, 2023. Mobile Food Unit (MFU) operators will no longer be required to be permitted in each individual city within Dallas County. MFUs must obtain a permit from Dallas County Health and Human Services (DCHHS) Environmental Health. DCHHS will begin permitting mobile food units (MFUs) by appointment only. Any vendor seeking a permit must schedule an appointment.

A MFU permit issued by Dallas County is for Health and Safety inspection only. MFUs must comply with the Fire and Safety inspection requirements for the cities they plan to operate. MFUs must provide proof of completed Fire and Safety Inspection(s) at the time of inspection.

A MFU permit issued by Dallas County does not exempt MFUs from local municipal laws. All MFUs must comply with any applicable municipal zoning, parking, and/or other ordinances.

More information, including the application packet and fee schedule, is available here: 
DCHHS  Environmental Health Division (dallascounty.org).