The Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors preliminarily approved an ordinance on Tuesday (May 14) to establish a permit program for operators selling food from their home kitchens.
In 2019, the California Health and Safety Code was amended to allow for Microenterprise Home Kitchen Operations (MEHKO), enabling individuals to operate “mini restaurants” from their homes to sell homemade food. According to a report from a city news agency, the ordinance preliminarily approved by the Board of Supervisors on Tuesday requires relevant operators to pay a $597 application fee and an annual $347 health permit fee to cover the costs of yearly inspections and enforcement.
“Today, our board deliberated on a new ordinance aimed at legalizing microenterprise home kitchens and implementing health and safety regulations,” Supervisor Janice Hahn posted on X platform after the vote. She mentioned that these microenterprises help with small entrepreneurship or provide additional income for families, but she also raised concerns about community residents’ worries regarding noise and traffic issues.
Hahn urged the county’s public health department to work closely with cities to ensure that these microenterprises not only comply with county public health regulations but also adhere to city ordinances. She requested regular progress reports from the public health department regarding the implementation of the plan.
The ordinance still needs to return to the Board of Supervisors for a final vote and will affect such businesses countywide, except for cities like Long Beach, Pasadena, and Vernon that have independent health departments.
Under the new ordinance, MEHKO can also serve as a central kitchen for up to two food trucks or operate as a compact mobile food business. In this scenario, the kitchen is limited to offering 80 meals per day, not exceeding 200 meals per week. If operated as a central kitchen, MEHKO’s maximum annual sales cap is $150,000.
Health officials stated that the ordinance was formulated in collaboration with advocacy organization COOK Alliance dedicated to legalizing and supporting home cooking businesses through negotiations with Imperial, Riverside, San Diego, San Mateo, and Santa Clara counties.
During the meeting on Tuesday, some speakers expressed concerns about the costs of applying for permits, while others emphasized the benefits the ordinance would bring for small entrepreneurs operating from home kitchens, including those who rely on these businesses to support their households.
If the ordinance is finally approved, it is expected to take effect in November and be implemented starting in January next year. ◇