Starting a Home-Based Food Business in California

 

Starting a Home-Based Food Business in California

California offers two main legal pathways for operating a food business from a private home: a Cottage Food Operation, or CFO, and a Microenterprise Home Kitchen Operation, or MEHKO.

A CFO is designed for approved shelf-stable foods that do not require refrigeration. A MEHKO operates more like a small home restaurant and may prepare restaurant-style meals for direct sale to customers.

1. Cottage Food Operation

A CFO may produce approved low-risk foods such as bread, cookies, brownies, muffins, candy, granola, dried herbs, roasted coffee, certain jams, nuts and selected baked goods without meat, custard or refrigerated fillings. The product must appear on the California Department of Public Health Approved Cottage Foods List.

Class A permits direct sales from the producer to the customer.
Class B permits both direct sales and indirect sales through approved retailers such as markets, cafés and restaurants. Class B operations are subject to kitchen inspections.

The 2026 gross-sales limits are:

  • Class A: $88,878
  • Class B: $177,756

These limits refer to gross sales before expenses and are adjusted annually for inflation.

Packaged products generally must identify the product, operator, city and ZIP Code, ingredients, allergens, net weight, permit or registration number, issuing county and the statement “Made in a Home Kitchen.”

Anyone preparing or packaging cottage food must complete approved food-safety training within three months of registration or permitting and renew the training every three years.

2. Microenterprise Home Kitchen Operation

A MEHKO may prepare restaurant-style meals, including hot foods, rice dishes, meat dishes, soups, tacos, tamales and meal boxes. The menu and operating procedures must be approved by the local Environmental Health agency.

California law does not automatically authorize MEHKOs in every county. A county or independent city health jurisdiction must first adopt the program before permits can be issued.

Current operating limits generally include:

  • No more than 30 meals per day
  • No more than 90 meals per week
  • A 2026 gross-sales limit of $110,442
  • One full-time-equivalent employee, excluding family or household members
  • Food prepared, cooked and served on the same day
  • Direct-to-consumer sales only
  • No wholesale or resale through markets or restaurants
  • No operation as a conventional catering business

Customers may dine at the home where approved, pick up their meals or receive delivery from the operator, employee or family or household member. Ordinary third-party delivery services are generally prohibited, except for a limited disability-related exception.

Applicants normally need a health permit application, proposed menu, written Standard Operating Procedures, Food Safety Manager certification, food-handler training for helpers and an initial home-kitchen inspection.

Regional Status

Los Angeles County: MEHKO permitting is active in areas under the LA County Department of Public Health. Pasadena, Long Beach and Vernon maintain separate health jurisdictions.

Long Beach: The city established its own MEHKO program in 2026. A Long Beach Public Health Permit, Business License, food-safety certifications and home inspection are required.

Orange County: CFO Class A and Class B operations are available. As of July 2026, no active Orange County government MEHKO application program was located, and community efforts were still seeking local adoption. Prospective operators should not begin selling home-cooked meals unless Orange County Environmental Health confirms authorization.

San Bernardino County: CFO permits are available. Current information indicates that MEHKO remains under discussion or early-stage consideration rather than active countywide permitting. Confirm directly with San Bernardino County Environmental Health before selling meals from home.

Riverside County: Both CFO and MEHKO programs are available.

San Diego County: A permanent MEHKO program has been operating since January 5, 2024.

Before investing in equipment or advertising, verify the exact jurisdiction for the home address, obtain written permit information, confirm landlord or HOA restrictions, secure any required business license and consider product-liability insurance.



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