Los Angeles County tentatively approves ordinance regulating home kitchen operations – Pasadena Now

The Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors on Tuesday tentatively approved an ordinance that would establish a permitting process for people operating food businesses out of home kitchens.

“The Los Angeles County ordinance does not apply to Pasadena,” said Manuel Carmona with the Pasadena Department of Public Health. pasadena now. “The City of Pasadena does not have a similar ordinance, and the Pasadena Department of Public Health has not proposed a similar ordinance to the City.”

However, the county-controlled areas of Altadena and unincorporated East Pasadena may be affected.

In 2019, the California Health and Safety Code was amended to authorize “microenterprise home kitchen operations” (MEHKOs), which allow people to operate “mini-restaurants” and sell food prepared at home. Ta.

The ordinance, which received initial approval by the county Board of Supervisors on Tuesday, would require operators of such businesses to pay a $597 application fee and a $347 annual health permit fee, which covers the cost of annual inspections and enforcement actions. It is mandatory. The ordinance also sets an annual gross sales cap of $100,000 and limits meal service to 30 meals per day or 90 meals per week.

“Today, our board is considering a new ordinance that will bring small home kitchen businesses out of the shadows and put in place health and safety measures to regulate them,” said Supervisor Janice Hahn. wrote to X after voting. “These home kitchen microenterprises can help get small businesses off the ground and provide additional income for families, but concerns we heard from residents worried about noise and traffic in their neighborhoods at community meetings I'm also sensitive.

He called on the county public health department to “work with cities to ensure that these small businesses not only follow county public health measures, but also city regulations.” In addition, we requested regular updates from DPH. ”

The ordinance, which must be brought back to the board for a final vote, would affect such businesses countywide, except those overseen by the Long Beach, Pasadena and Vernon city health departments.

Under the ordinance, MEHKO may also be approved to serve as a commissary for up to two food carts, or compact mobile food operations. In such cases, food in the kitchen will be limited to 80 meals per day and 200 meals per week. Operating as a commissary, MEHKO has total sales of $150,000.

Health officials said the ordinance is a joint effort between jurisdictions including Imperial, Riverside, San Diego, San Mateo and Santa Clara counties and the COOK Alliance, an advocacy group that works to legalize and support home cooking businesses. It is said that it was formulated through consultation.

Some speakers at Tuesday's meeting expressed concerns about the cost of application and permit fees, but they also said the ordinance would help small entrepreneurs who work in their home kitchens (those who use their businesses to support their families). Some people pointed out the benefits it brings to people (including those who are still working).

If the ordinance receives final approval, it would go into effect in November and go into effect in January.