Updated August 2025
Santa Cruz County
Santa Cruz County approved a two-year pilot program for Microenterprise Home Kitchen Operations (MEHKOs) on September 24, 2024. Applications have been open since January 1, 2025.
Contact:
- Phone: (831) 454-2022
- Visit the Santa Cruz County Environmental Health MEHKO page here.
Riverside County
Riverside County was the first in California to officially approve Microenterprise Home Kitchen Operations (MEHKOs). Applications are open.
Contact:
- Phone: (888) 722-4234 (Monday–Friday, 7:00 AM–5:30 PM PST)
- Visit the Riverside County Environmental Health Website or the specific MEHKO page here.
Solano County
Solano County approved MEHKOs countywide. Initially, only unincorporated areas were covered, but now permits are available countywide. A permit, an initial inspection, and occasional follow-up inspections are required.
Contact:
- Phone: (707) 784-6765
- Learn more on the Solano County Environmental Health MEHKO Page.
Santa Barbara County
Santa Barbara County opted into the MEHKO program unanimously in 2020, allowing individuals in single-family homes to legally prepare and sell food to the public.
Contact:
- Email: PHDEHSWeb@sbcphd.org
- Read the full article: Santa Barbara Independent – Home Kitchens Open for Business
Imperial County
Imperial County approved MEHKOs in 2019. It was one of the earliest counties to follow Riverside’s lead.
Contact:
- Phone: (442) 265-1888
- Email: ehs@icphd.org
San Diego County
San Diego County launched its MEHKO program in January 2024. Home cooks can now apply through the Department of Environmental Health and Quality (DEHQ).
Contact:
- Phone: (858) 505-6900
- Email: FHDMEHKO@sdcounty.ca.gov
- Visit the San Diego County Home Kitchen Operations Page.
Sonoma County
Sonoma County approved MEHKOs in late 2024. Applications began being accepted in April 2025.
Contact:
- Phone: (707) 565-6565
- Email: EH@Sonoma-County.org
- Learn more on the Sonoma County MEHKO Program Page.
Alameda County
(Pilot Program Only)
- Alameda County allows MEHKOs under a state pilot program (AB 377) but has not passed a full local ordinance yet.
- Berkeley (within Alameda County) operates its own MEHKO program independently.
Contact:
- Alameda County: (510) 567-6700 | Email: DEH@acgov.org
- Berkeley residents: (510) 981-5310
Los Angeles County
(Pilot Program Only)
- LA County operates a pilot MEHKO program under AB 377 through 2026.
- Pasadena, Long Beach, and Vernon are excluded (these cities have independent health departments and have not opted in yet).
Contact:
- Phone: (888) 700-9995
- Email: mehko@ph.lacounty.gov
- Visit the LA County MEHKO Info Page.
Lake County
Lake County has reportedly begun allowing MEHKOs on a limited basis (primarily in unincorporated areas).
(Note: Verification and official links are pending; confirm with local Environmental Health.)
Sierra County
Sierra County is piloting a small MEHKO program to support rural home businesses.
(Note: Also confirm directly as details remain limited.)
San Mateo County
San Mateo County has approved MEHKO operations. After running a two-year pilot starting in 2021, the Board of Supervisors passed an ordinance on September 12, 2023, making MEHKO a permanent program in the county.
Contact: San Mateo County Environmental Health Services — Phone: (650) 372‑6200, Email: mehko@smcgov.org.
Santa Clara County
Status: MEHKO is active and authorized in Santa Clara County.
Timeline:
- A three-year pilot launched in 2022.
- On March 14, 2023, the Board of Supervisors approved the MEHKO ordinance and fees—making MEHKO officially permitted countywide.scceh.org+15Santa Clara Environmental Health+15Santa Clara Environmental Health+15
Approved MEHKOs: Santa Clara County maintains a daily-updated public list of approved MEHKO operations, showing facility names, addresses, permit numbers, and expiration dates.
Contact: Applications and permit-related inquiries are managed by the Santa Clara County Department of Environmental Health (DEH). Specific contact info isn’t listed here, but it’s accessible through the county’s Food Safety or DEH web pages.
Minor Notes: Pending, Rejected, or No Action Counties
- Pending: Orange County has not authorized Microenterprise Home Kitchen Operations (MEHKOs), so operating a MEHKO there is currently not allowed
- Rejected or No Action:
- San Francisco: No MEHKO program as of 2025.
- Sacramento County: Actively considering, but no program yet (pending discussions).
Please get San Bernardino county on board Price of everything is up we need this law opt in ASAP thank you
Yes we need it in San Bernardino county
We need it in San Bernardino county. It’s about time. It’s almost impossible to lease a commercial place and most of us are middle class residents. I have an international degree in culinary but can’t afford to practice my skills and talents.
Please get Los Angeles county approve. It is so hard for restaurant people continue to operate with crazy high rents and cost. We need the permit to test new market without losing our house and liver.
Ive been in the food service industry since graduating in Hospitality Management years ago. When is LA County going to get on board with MHKO? Its time . We all have to make a living without the outrageous overhead outside the home.
We need this in Tulare County for sure ASAP
placer county, please! in rural parts of placer county especially needed.
Sacramento needs this
I would like to know which cities and counties have approved home kitchens and which organizations advocated for them to be approved.
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