The County of Los Angeles is significantly loosening regulations for home kitchens, and businesses that sell homemade food.
The County Board of Supervisors approved a proposal last week to allow home kitchens to operate under the Microenterprise Home Kitchen Operations (MEHKO) program, with plans to develop a permanent ordinance soon.
The California government had previously loosened regulations in July last year when it enacted bill AB 1325 to help small home-based businesses struggling during the pandemic.
These regulations allowed for weekly sales of up to 90 servings and $100,000 in annual gross sales. The law was motivated by the pandemic and the need to ensure more economic activity for low-income individuals. It was in line with the city of Los Angeles’ decision earlier this year to allow street food vending.
The county will charge operators a $597 license application fee and a $347 annual health registration fee, and will cap annual gross sales at $100,000 with a limit of 30 servings per day or 90 servings per week.
The regulation also allows up to two food carts to sell up to 80 servings per day or 200 servings per week, with maximum gross sales capped at $150,000 per year.
These regulations do not apply in Long Beach, Pasadena, and Vernon, which operate independent health departments.
As a way to lower the hurdle when the rules first go into effect, the county will waive the license application fee for the first 1,000 applicants with an annual net income of $50,000 or less. The full implementation of the regulations will begin in November. The government will start enforcing license requirements in January next year.
BY BRIAN CHOI, HOONSIK WOO [ichoi@koreadaily.com]
