About MEHKO Informative About MEHKO

In 2019, the California Health and Safety Code established a "Microenterprise Home Kitchen Operation" (MEHKO), as a new retail food facility where individuals operate a small scale restaurant in their home. In May of 2024, the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors authorized the MEHKO. The Environmental Health Division, within the Department of Public Health, will issue permits for MEHKOs for Los Angeles County, except in the cities of Pasadena, Long Beach, and Vernon, which have their own health departments. MEHKOs may serve 90 meals per week and 30 meals per day with up to $100,000 gross sales annually.

Microenterprise Home Kitchen Operation

Ordinance MEHKO Informative Ordinance

View the ordinance as approved by the Board of Supervisors in May 2024.

lIMITED Time Subsidy Informative lIMITED Time Subsidy

For a limited time, Los Angeles County is offering a one-time subsidy on a first-come, first-serve basis for up to 1,000 MEHKO permittees. The subsidy will waive the initial application review fee of $597. The subsidy is available through June 30, 2026, or until the subsidy funds are exhausted.

lIMITED Time Subsidy

Subsidy Eligibility Requirements:
  • The MEHKO operation is not in the cities of Pasadena, Long Beach or Vernon.
  • The MEHKO permittee annual net revenue is less than $50,000 (net revenue is earnings after subtraction of expenses).
  • Must not have previously received a MEHKO subsidy

Apply for the subsidy on the Public Health Permit Application for MEHKO

Business Information Business INFORMATION

Environmental Health is committed to providing you with all the information you need to start your MEHKO.

Business INFORMATION

MEKOvsCMFO DOC
MEHKO vs CMFO - What's the Difference?
EnglishEspañolհայերեն한국인Tagalog繁體中文Tiếng Việt
MEKOvsCFO DOC
MEHKO vs CFO - What's the Difference?
EnglishEspañolհայերեն한국인Tagalog繁體中文Tiếng Việt
Potable Water & Well Water Quality DOC
Potable Water & Well Water Quality
EnglishEspañolհայերեն한국인Tagalog繁體中文Tiếng Việt
How to Get Started DOC
How to Get Started
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Starting Your MEHKO Business Checklist DOC
Starting Your MEHKO Business Checklist
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MEHKO Operating with a CMFO Fact Sheet
MEHKO Operating with a CMFO Fact Sheet
English

LIMITED FUNDING ASSISTANCE MEHKO Informative LIMITED FUNDING ASSISTANCE

A limited-time funding assistance is available through COOK Academy to help you get started and thrive in the culinary industry. Also, find out how you can Earn College Credits.

Permit MEHKO Informative Permitting

Learn more on how to safeguard public health and prepare food that is safe to consume from your MEHKO.

Permitting begins November 1, 2024.

Permitting

Roadmap of Permitting Process
Roadmap of Permitting Process
EnglishEspañol
Public Health Permit Application for MEHKO
Public Health Permit Application for MEHKO
English
MEHKO Public Health Permit Application Instructions
MEHKO Public Health Permit Application Instructions
EnglishEspañolհայերեն한국인Tagalog繁體中文Tiếng Việt
Standard Operating Procedures (SOP)
Standard Operating Procedures (SOP)
EnglishEspañol

Permitted MEHKOs Permitted MEHKOs

View lists of Permitted MEHKOs, inspection results, and closed MEHKOs.

lIMITED Time Subsidy Informative lIMITED Time Subsidy

For a limited time, Los Angeles County is offering a one-time subsidy on a first-come, first-serve basis for up to 1,000 MEHKO permittees. The subsidy will waive the initial application review fee of $597. The subsidy is available through June 30, 2026, or until the subsidy funds are exhausted.

lIMITED Time Subsidy

Subsidy Eligibility Requirements:
  • The MEHKO operation is not in the cities of Pasadena, Long Beach or Vernon.
  • The MEHKO permittee annual net revenue is less than $50,000 (net revenue is earnings after subtraction of expenses).
  • Must never have been issued a MEHKO Public Health Permit in Los Angeles County nor have received a subsidy for the initial application review fee.

Apply for the subsidy on the Public Health Permit Application for MEHKO

LIMITED FUNDING ASSISTANCE MEHKO Informative LIMITED FUNDING ASSISTANCE

A limited-time funding assistance is available through COOK Academy to help you get started and thrive in the culinary industry. Also, find out how you can Earn College Credits.

Permit MEHKO Informative Permitting

Learn more on how to safeguard public health and prepare food that is safe to consume from your MEHKO.

Permitting begins November 1, 2024.

Permitting

Roadmap of Permitting Process
Roadmap of Permitting Process
EnglishEspañol
Public Health Permit Application for MEHKO
Public Health Permit Application for MEHKO
English
MEHKO Public Health Permit Application Instructions
MEHKO Public Health Permit Application Instructions
EnglishEspañolհայերեն한국인Tagalog繁體中文Tiếng Việt
Standard Operating Procedures (SOP)
Standard Operating Procedures (SOP)
EnglishEspañol

Safe Practices Informative Safe Practices

Learn more on how to safeguard public health and prepare food that is safe to consume from your MEHKO.

Safe Practices

Self-Inspection Checklist
Self-Inspection Checklist
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Good Neighbor Practice
Good Neighbor Practice
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A Guide to Food Safety
A Guide to Food Safety
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Presentations Presentations

Explore past presentations and events.

MEHKO Orientation - VIDEO
MEHKO Orientation
Event Date: October 26, 2024

Presentations Presentations

Explore past presentations and events.

MEHKO Orientation - VIDEO
MEHKO Orientation
English Español
Event Date: October 26, 2024

Permitted MEHKOs Permitted MEHKOs

View lists of Permitted MEHKOs, inspection results, and closed MEHKOs.

Stay Connected MEHKO Informative Stay Connected

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Stay Connected MEHKO Informative Stay Connected

Click on the subscribe button to receive updates about MEHKO. Learn more on how to safeguard public health and prepare food that is safe to consume from your MEHKO.

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Contact Us

Monday - Friday
8:00am - 5:00pm

Tel: phone icon (626) 430-9855
Email: email icon homebasedfoods@ph.lacounty.gov

County of Los Angeles Public Health
Environmental Health
Homebased Food Operations Program
5050 Commerce Drive
Baldwin Park, CA 91706