Where Is MEHKO Legal in California? 2026 County Tracker
Checked against official county and city sources. Last verified: October 29, 2026.
Home kitchen restaurants (MEHKOs) are legal in California only where a county or city has opted in. As of October 2026, that includes 14 counties and 2 cities, plus a pilot in Santa Cruz County through December 31, 2026. Find yours below, then confirm with your local environmental health department.
16
Allowed
5
Pilot or pending
38
No program found
Allowed
| County / city | Coverage | Fees (official, check for updates) | Official source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alameda County | Whole county except Berkeley | $696 permit | Alameda County MEHKO program |
| City of Berkeley | City only | See city | berkeleyca.gov |
| Contra Costa County | Whole county | See county | Contra Costa Health |
| Imperial County | Whole county | See county | Imperial County Public Health Department |
| Lake County | Whole county | $269 annual permit + plan check | Lake County MEHKO program |
| Los Angeles County | Whole county except Pasadena, Long Beach and Vernon | $597 application review + $347 permit | LA County MEHKO program |
| City of Long Beach | City only | See city | Long Beach MEHKO program |
| Monterey County | Whole county, all cities | $623 initial permit | Monterey County MEHKO program |
| Riverside County | Whole county | See county | Riverside County home-based kitchens |
| San Diego County | Whole county | See county | San Diego County MEHKO program |
| San Mateo County | Whole county | See county | San Mateo County MEHKO program |
| Santa Barbara County | Whole county | $391 annual | Santa Barbara County Public Health |
| Santa Clara County | Whole county, all cities | See county | Santa Clara County MEHKO program |
| Sierra County | Whole county | See county | Sierra County MEHKO program |
| Solano County | Whole county, all cities | See county | Solano County home-based food operation |
| Sonoma County | Whole county | See county | Sonoma County MEHKO program |
Pilot or pending
| County / city | Status |
|---|---|
| Santa Cruz County | Pilot through December 31, 2026; county decision on continuing pending. https://scceh.com/NewHome/Programs/ConsumerProtection/Food/MicroenterpriseHomeKitchenOperations(MEHKO).aspx |
| Amador County | Pilot program with a two-permit cap; check with the county |
| San Benito County | Temporary program; check with the county |
| Marin County | Ordinance introduced September 29, 2026; not yet in effect. https://www.marincounty.gov/news-releases/home-cooking-marin-ordinance-designed-boost-opportunities-budding-entrepreneurs |
| San Francisco | Ordinance introduced in 2026; not yet in effect |
No program found (as of October 29, 2026)
Alpine, Butte, Calaveras, Colusa, Del Norte, El Dorado, Fresno, Glenn, Humboldt, Inyo, Kern, Kings, Lassen, Madera, Mariposa, Mendocino, Merced, Modoc, Mono, Napa, Nevada, Orange, Placer, Plumas, Sacramento, San Bernardino, San Joaquin, San Luis Obispo, Shasta, Siskiyou, Stanislaus, Sutter, Tehama, Trinity, Tulare, Tuolumne, Ventura, Yolo.
"No program found" means we found no adopted MEHKO program on official sources. In these areas, you can still sell baked goods and other cottage foods with a Cottage Food permit. California permit guide
Recent changes
- May 12, 2026: Contra Costa made its MEHKO program permanent
- April 2026: City of Long Beach approved its own program
- February 10, 2026: Santa Clara removed its program end date
- September 29, 2026: Marin introduced a draft ordinance
FAQ
Is MEHKO legal in my county?
- Check the table above, then confirm with your county environmental health department before you apply.
What if my county doesn't allow MEHKO?
- You can still sell baked goods and other cottage foods with a Cottage Food permit, anywhere in California.
How often is this list updated?
- We check official county sources every month.
Your county allows MEHKO? Start selling on Chef Next Door.
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Related: California permit guide · 2026 Law Tracker · Permits by state
This page is general information, not legal advice. Laws change and can differ by city and county. Confirm with your state or local health or agriculture department before you sell.