Los Angeles County officials have passed an ordinance that could benefit thousands of small business owners in the food industry starting this fall.
The Small Business Home Kitchen Operation Ordinance provides exemptions and even allows some chefs to cook at home if they pass an inspection by the Los Angeles County Department of Health.
The new state law, now being adopted in Los Angeles County, aims to streamline the process for obtaining permits and financial assistance for more than 50,000 local food vendors.
“Having a commercial kitchen cater for any type of event can cost anywhere from $1,500 to $4,000 a month,” says chef Nekia Hatley of Leimert Park.
Hatley and co-chef Marcel Douglas have been winning over locals with their recipes for jerk mushroom and jackfruit tacos, but renting kitchen space means less profit.
Los Angeles County supervisors said the ordinance would also help minority business owners: A statewide survey by the COOK Alliance found that 84% of sidewalk vendors and home cooks are women, and 48% identify as Black, Latino or mixed race.
The ordinance will come into effect on November 1, 2024.
