Frequently Asked Questions

This depends. Anyone inside of Wichita County must have a permit to sell or give away food to the general public, unless the food falls under the Texas Cottage Food Law.

Only Cottage Foods may be prepared at home. Cottage Food Laws and Information can be found here. 

Cottage Foods that may be produced in the home are: 

• Any food, excluding meat, that does NOT require Time or Temperature Control for Safety. Hot meals, tamales, pizza, casseroles, tacos, ice cream, etc. are not allowed as a cottage food.
• Baked goods that do not require refrigeration including bread, rolls, buns, biscuits, bagels, croissants, pastries, doughnuts, Danishes, cakes, tortes, pies, tarts, muffins, lemon squares, cookies, large pretzels, and tortillas. Flan, pumpkin pie, cream pies, meringue pies, and tres leches cake are not allowed as a cottage food.  
• Candy including fudge, divinity, peanut brittle, toffee, chocolate, chocolate-dipped pretzels, chocolate-dipped Oreos, marshmallows, rice cereal treats, etc.
• Coated and uncoated nuts
• Unroasted nut butters
• High acid or acidified fruit butters like apple, apricot, grape, peach, plum, quince, and prune butters, as long as the pH is 4.6 or below. Low acid fruit butters like pumpkin butter, pear butter, or banana butter, are not allowed as a cottage food.
• Canned jams and jellies
• Fruit pies including pecan pie, fruit cobblers, fruit crisps/crumbles, apple brown betty, cooked fruit tarts and tatins, etc. Pumpkin pies and cream pies are not allowed as a cottage food.
• Dehydrated fruits and vegetables including dried beans
• Popcorn and popcorn snacks
• Cereal, including granola
• Dry mixes
• Vinegar
• Pickles
• Mustard
• Roasted coffee or dry tea
• Dried herbs or herb mixes
• Canned acidified plant-based foods with a pH of 4.6 or less. Low acid canned foods like canned green beans or canned baby food are not allowed as cottage foods.
• Fermented vegetables with a pH of 4.6 or less*
• Pickled fruits or vegetables with a pH of 4.6 or less*

For more information click here.

If your employer sells or serves food that is not pre-packaged, the answer is yes. Even Cottage Food Operations must have food handlers cards.

Examples of pre-packaged foods include chips, candy, milk, ice cream, frozen entrees, etc. and would not require a food handler card.

Anyone inside the city limits of Wichita Falls, Burkburnett, Iowa Park, and Electra with a public or semi-public aquatic facility must have a permit. Please contact the Wichita Falls-Wichita County Public Health District Environmental Health Division at 940-761-7820. Residential home pools do not require a permit.

Classes are scheduled throughout the year. For the most up-to-date schedule click here.

Yes, you need to contact the Texas Health and Human Services Child Care Licensing for our area at 940-249-0172.

Yes, a Food Permit is required. Please contact the Wichita Falls-Wichita County Public Health District Environmental Health Division at 940-761-7820.

When they have a fever, diarrhea, or are vomiting.

Different chemicals used in sanitation have different requirements. It is important to read the label on your chemical and follow its application for its specific use. Do not use chemicals in any manor other that those specifically listed on the label. This is for your safety.

Contact the Wichita Falls-Wichita County Public Health District's Environmental Health Division at 940-761-7820.

If the same guest is staying in the same room for an extended amount of time, then they must be changed at a minimum of once per week. Otherwise, the sheets and towels should be changed after each guest leaves per our local ordinance found here.

All permitted businesses must adhere to the Texas Health and Human Services Tattoo and Body Piercing Studio Laws and Federal Laws. Body Art Establishments in the city limits of Wichita Falls must also follow our local Body Art Ordinance.