Sonoma County approves 'Home Kitchen' restaurant program

(KRON) – Small dine-in or take-out restaurants operating out of private residences are now a legal business venture for Sonoma County residents, the county announced on Tuesday. 

These home kitchens, known as Microenterprise Home Kitchen Operations (MEHKOs), are already authorized under state law and will now apply to unincorporated Sonoma County and all nine of its cities. 

“MEHKOs provide our talented home chefs with business opportunities, particularly for those with limited access to capital or facing industry entry barriers such as child or elder-care responsibilities,” said Supervisor David Rabbitt, chair of the Board of Supervisors. 

“They can also increase community access to healthy food, offering options for cultural or regional foods that may not be available locally while ensuring food safety,” Rabbit added. 

Here are the requirements a hopeful MEHKO operator will need, according to Sonoma County: 

• A health permit from Sonoma County Environmental Health
• Food safety manager certification for the operator and a food handler card for all employees or others working in the establishment.
• Public water system permits from the State Water Resources Control Board for residents using a private well water system.

Hopeful operators also have requirements for their day-to-day operations. For example, food must be made on the same day as the sale, with a limit of 30 meals sold per day or 90 meals per week, with gross annual sales capped at $100,000. 

Catering and third-party delivery services such as Doordash and GrubHub are prohibited, according to the county. Meals can be consumed on-site, picked up, or delivered by the operator or a “registered intermediary.”

These MEHKOs must be based out of the operator’s primary residence. Property owner approval is required if the residence is leased, the county said.

The statewide MEHKO program was established in 2018. Since then, 16 California jurisdictions -- including Alameda and San Mateo counties -- have opted into the program, with 16 others “considering” establishing it, county officials said. 

Sonoma County was awarded a $138,000 state grant, which they said will be used for direct support in implementing the MEHKO program.