MEHKO Permitting Requirements

Looking for a step-by-step guide? See our San Diego MEHKO guide.

Becoming a home kitchen cook (MEHKO) in California

Cooks on What's Cookin' Tonight operate as Microenterprise Home Kitchen Operations (MEHKOs), permitted food facilities run by a resident in a private home under the California Retail Food Code, Chapter 11.6.

To become a permitted MEHKO, a cook must:

• Submit a permit application to their local environmental health agency
• Pass an inspection of their home kitchen
• Complete an approved food safety manager certification
• Sell food directly to the customer
• Prepare, cook, and serve food on the same day
• Operate within the meal and annual sales limits set by law

A MEHKO is not a catering operation and is not a cottage food operation.

Official requirements and current limits

• California Department of Public Health, General Permit Requirements for MEHKOs: cdph.ca.gov/Programs/CEH/DFDCS/Pages/FDBPrograms/FoodSafetyProgram/GeneralPermitRequirementsMEHKO.aspx
• Riverside County MEHKO program page (your county's local enforcement agency): rivcoeh.org/microenterprise-home-kitchen-operation

Questions about permitting: CDPH Food and Drug Branch, 1-800-495-3232, FDBfood@cdph.ca.gov, or Riverside County Department of Environmental Health, (888) 722-4234.

Related: Contact the Local Enforcement Agency · Liability Insurance Status · Platform Fees