Microenterprise Home Kitchen Operation (MEHKO)
On December 3, 2024, Sonoma County Board of Supervisors adopted an Ordinance amending Chapter 14 of the Sonoma County Code to conditionally authorize Microenterprise Home Kitchen Operations.
Microenterprise Home Kitchen Operations (MEHKOs) are small-scale, retail food facilities authorized for establishment by counties under Assembly Bills 626 (2018), 377 (2019), and 1325 (2023), allowing individuals to run small restaurants (dine-in or take-out) from their private residences. MEHKOs provide home-based business opportunities, particularly for those with limited access to capital or facing industry entry barriers such as child or elder-care responsibilities. MEHKOs can also increase community access to healthy food, offering options for cultural or regional foods that may not be available locally.
Operating Requirements for MEHKOs
MEHKOs must operate according to rules and requirements outlined in the legislation to assure public safety and conformance with local land uses. These include:
1) Permitting Requirements:
MEHKOs must operate in the operator's primary residence. Second homes, vacation homes, and motor homes are not eligible. As is explained in more depth below, areas where MEHKOs would violate the city or county general plan are also not eligible.
- No auxiliary kitchens or outdoor signage are permitted.
- Property owner approval is required if the residence is leased.
- Required Permits and Certifications: Health Permit from Sonoma County Environmental Health.
- Food safety manager certification for the operator and a food handler card for all employees or others working in the establishment.
- Public water system permits from the State Water Resources Control Board’s Division of Drinking Water may be required for residents using a private well water system per state law.
2) Operational Standards:
- Food must be prepared, cooked, and served on the same day within the residence's kitchen.
- Sales are limited to 30 meals per day or 90 meals per week, with gross annual sales capped at $100,000.
- Meals can be consumed on-site, picked up, or delivered by the operator or a registered intermediary. Third-party delivery services, catering, and resale are prohibited.
- A properly charged and maintained 10 BC-rated fire extinguishers, which indicates it can put out an electrical or fuel accelerated fire under 10 square feet, and a first aid kit must be accessible within the kitchen.
3) Health and Safety:
- No food preparation, packaging, or handling may occur concurrently with domestic activities.
- Only service animals are allowed in the kitchen and dining areas during food service and preparation.
- Equipment and utensils must be smooth, easily cleanable, and sanitized before each use.
- MEHKOs are subject to annual inspections and must comply with all relevant Health and Safety Code requirements.
4) Other Restrictions:
- MEHKOs cannot operate as commissaries, mobile support units, or engage in food processes requiring a Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Point (HACCP) plan. This is a systematic approach to food safety that identifies and controls potential hazards in the food production process.
- Raw milk products and raw oysters are prohibited.
- Manufacture ice cream or dairy products.
- Only one MEHKOs is permitted per site, and it cannot operate alongside a Cottage Food Operation.
- No more than one full-time employee, (not including family members or household members) may work at the MEHKO.
- Serve alcohol or food that contains alcohol without a license from the California Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control (ABC) Program.
- Resell food to other food facilities.
- Display signage or other outdoor advertising.
HOW TO APPLY
- Review the following documents:
- MEHKO Guidelines
- English
- Spanish
- MEHKO Frequently Asked Questions
- English
- Spanish
- MEHKO Outreach Presentation
- English
- Spanish
- MEHKO Guidelines
- Look for further updates on the MEHKO
- Complete and submit a MEHKO Permit Application Packet:
Applications are coming soon. Anticipated implementation date is April 1, 2025.- MEHKO Permit Application
- English
- Spanish
- Standard Operating Procedures
- English
- Spanish
- Rental Notification Form
- English
- Spanish
- MEHKO Permit Application
- Check with the city you live in for additional requirements.
For more information, please call (707) 565-6565 or email EH@sonoma-county.org
PERMITTED MEHKO OPERATORS (Coming Soon)