Microenterprise Home Kitchen Operations (MEHKO)

A Microenterprise Home Kitchen Operation (MEHKO) is a food facility that is operated by a resident from their private home kitchen. Once permitted, a resident can store, handle, prepare and serve food to the public, as allowed by State law, similar to a restaurant. State law does place limits on the number of meals that can be served by a MEHKO, revenue that can be earned and on how certain foods can be prepared, among other requirements.

HOW TO APPLY

1. Review the following documents in the resource library.
2. Watch the online presentation in the resource library: MEHKO 101 and Food Safety – Preparing for and Passing Your MEHKO Inspection.
3. Complete and submit a MEHKO Permit Application Packet.
4. Check with the city you live in for additional requirements.
5. Sign up for important Environmental Health Services MEHKO updates.

MEHKO REQUIREMENTS

• A permit issued from San Mateo County Environmental Health Services.
• No more than one full-time employee, not including family members or household members, may work at the MEHKO.
• The MEHKO operator shall successfully pass an approved and accredited food safety manager certification examination.
• Any person(s) involved in the MEHKO must obtain a food handler card certificate from an approved California provider.
• Food shall be prepared, cooked and served on the same day.
• People can dine at your home, or order take out or delivery.

MEHKOs are NOT allowed to:

• Serve or sell raw oysters.
• Produce or sell raw milk.
• Conduct processes that require a Hazard Analysis Critical Control Points (HACCP) Plan.
• Manufacture ice cream or dairy products.
• 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.
• Employ more than one full-time employee.

For more information, please call 650-372-6200 or email mehko@smcgov.org

Microenterprise Home Kitchen Operations (MEHKOs) Approved Ordinance

Board of Supervisors approved making Microenterprise Home Kitchen Operations (MEHKOs) permanent.

California Assembly Bill 626 (AB 626), as amended, established Microenterprise Home Kitchen Operations (“MEHKOs”) as a new category of food facility under the California Health and Safety Code section 113700, et seq. AB 626 authorizes the use of home kitchens for small-scale, direct food sales by home cooks to consumers. For MEHKOs to legally operate in the County, the Board of Supervisors (Board) must adopt an ordinance or resolution to affirmatively “Opt-In” to the permitting program established by AB 626.

July 20, 2021, the Board authorized a MEHKO “pilot program,” which authorized Environmental Health Services (EHS) to permit MEHKOs for a two-year period. The pilot program provided the opportunity to assess the benefits of MEHKOs throughout the County before permanently adopting an ordinance.

On September 12, 2023 the Board passed an ordinance to permanently authorize EHS to permit MEHKOs pursuant to AB 626; to fund the cost of administering this permit program through establishment of an annual permit fee; and to continue providing MEHKO businesses negatively impacted by the pandemic another year of zero permit fees by covering this fee for a one-year period.

The MEHKO annual permit fee will be waived until October 2024. Effective November 2024, a permit fee of $1,108.00 will be charged.

For questions pertaining to the ordinance, email EnvHealth@smcgov.org.

Permitted MEHKO operators

Burlingame
Masa’s BBQ – Richard Shiohira

Daly City
Buddha’s Joy – Michael Chan
JC Home Kitchen – Woong Choi

East Palo Alto
Antojitos La Guera – Liborio Figuero

Half Moon Bay
Rte. 92 – Marty Mullarkey

Menlo Park
Lovely Tea Parties – Paula Liebner

North Fair Oaks
Alicia’s Tacos – Alicia Pacheco

Pacifica
Eggroll Society – Alexandra Seeney

Redwood City
The Bhas Lady LLC – Alpa Bhas

San Carlos
Mama Chee – Michelle Hoy

San Mateo
Marissa Cakes – Marissa Yao
Mary’s Small Kitchen – Mary Ann Gonzalez
Shazzys Homestyle – Shaharazad Chan
Table For 6 – Christina Wu

South San Francisco
Bayarea Homemade – Rubyjean Velasco
Fiji Indian Kitchen – Praneeta Sharma