Home cooks in Los Angeles can now begin applying for permits to prepare and sell food legally out of their kitchens.
The Los Angeles County Department of Public Health announced Monday it began accepting applications for those interested in operating food facilities from their homes or other private spaces under the Microenterprise Home Kitchen Operation (MEHKO) program.
MEHKOs are food facilities that are operated by a resident from their private kitchen, like tamaleras or eloteros. Once permitted, a resident can store, handle, prepare and serve food to the public, as allowed by state law, similar to a mini restaurant.
L.A. County District Supervisor Hilda Solis said the permitting process allows business owners to comply with county health and safety regulations, all while providing diverse and accessible food options to neighbors and other county residents.
“MEHKOs represent an important economic vehicle for entrepreneurial County residents – especially women, immigrants, and communities of color – to create new opportunities in the formal economy,” Solis stated in a news release. “The MEHKO program is a groundbreaking step towards allowing home-based kitchens to operate legally and safely, enabling countless individuals to turn their culinary passions into thriving businesses.
County supervisors unanimously approved an ordinance in May, establishing an application and permitting process for home cooks and sidewalk vendors to sell food legally out of their kitchens.
According to the Department of Public Health, the food needs to be prepared, cooked and served or delivered on the same day it is made and everyone involved in the operation must have a food handler card certificate.
Per state law, MEHKOs are only allowed to sell up to $100,000 per year or 90 meals per week. Reselling to other food establishments or using food delivery services like Uber Eats or Doordash is prohibited. Operators are also prohibited from using the home kitchen businesses as a catering service.
The initial application fee is $597, and MEHKO entrepreneurs must also pay an annual permit fee of $347 to cover inspections. L.A. County is offering a one-time subsidy that will waive the initial application fee for up to 1,000 MEHKO permittees for a limited time. The subsidy is available through June 30, 2026, or until the subsidy funds are exhausted.
MEHKO permits will be issued to eligible applicants starting Nov. 1.
To learn more about the program or to apply, visit http://ph.lacounty.gov/mehko. You may also contact (626) 430-5156.
