A MEHKO (Microenterprise Home Kitchen Operation) lets a resident run a small food service from their home kitchen in San Diego County. Meals are prepared and served the same day, for pickup, delivery by the operator, or eating onsite. This guide covers what a MEHKO is, what it costs, how to apply, and the rules to know.
A Microenterprise Home Kitchen Operation is a permitted food service a resident runs from their own home kitchen. Permits are issued by the County of San Diego Department of Environmental Health and Quality (DEHQ), Food and Housing Division. The MEHKO program has been permanent since January 5, 2024.
As of the county fee schedule effective July 1, 2025. County fees are set by the Board of Supervisors and can change, so confirm the current amount on the DEHQ fee schedule before applying.
MEHKOs have daily and weekly limits on the number of meals, and an annual gross sales cap that adjusts over time. The current numbers are published by the county, so check the county MEHKO Quick Facts for the amounts that apply when you plan your menu and schedule.
If you rent, check your lease and HOA rules before applying.
A MEHKO covers full meals cooked and served the same day from a permitted home kitchen. A Cottage Food Operation (CFO) covers prepackaged shelf-stable foods, and CFO is the path that allows selling at farmers markets. If you want to sell at markets, start with the cottage food path.
To sell prepackaged shelf-stable food, start with the San Diego cottage food guide.
What's Cookin' Tonight is a pickup marketplace for permit-verified home cooks in San Diego County. Neighbors order ahead and pick up at your door. Every permitted MEHKO is publicly verifiable at SDFoodInfo.org, and What's Cookin' Tonight lists permit-verified cooks only.
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A Microenterprise Home Kitchen Operation lets a resident run a small food service from their home kitchen in San Diego County. Meals are prepared and served the same day, for pickup, delivery by the operator, or eating onsite.
The County of San Diego Department of Environmental Health and Quality (DEHQ), Food and Housing Division. The MEHKO program has been permanent since January 5, 2024.
The initial permit is $673 and the annual renewal is $335, as of the county fee schedule effective July 1, 2025. County fees are set by the Board of Supervisors and can change, so confirm the current amount on the fee schedule before applying.
A Food Facility Health Permit application, a Standard Operating Procedures form, a proposed menu, a Food Safety Manager Certificate, and well water testing results if your home is on a private well.
Standard processing is up to 20 calendar days with a complete application, and no plan check is required. After DEHQ approves the documents and the fees are paid, an inspection of the home kitchen is scheduled, and the permit is delivered at that initial inspection.
Yes. MEHKOs have daily and weekly limits on the number of meals and an annual gross sales cap that adjusts over time. See the county's MEHKO Quick Facts for the current numbers.
No. A MEHKO cannot cater, sell at farmers markets or temporary events, or sell wholesale or to retailers. Selling prepackaged food at farmers markets is the cottage food path. A MEHKO sells meals directly from the permitted home kitchen.
Every permitted MEHKO is publicly verifiable at SDFoodInfo.org. What's Cookin' Tonight lists permit-verified cooks only.
County of San Diego Department of Environmental Health and Quality, Food and Housing Division.
Email: FHDMEHKO@sdcounty.ca.gov
Phone: (858) 505-6900
Address: 5500 Overland Ave Suite 170, San Diego, CA 92123