California: the home-kitchen movement
County / local opt-in Cottage food law · Microenterprise home kitchen (MEHKO)
California has two home-kitchen programs. The Cottage Food law (AB 1616, 2012; amended by AB 1144, 2021) is statewide and covers shelf-stable packaged goods: Class A (direct-sale registration, $75K cap) and Class B (permit for retail/restaurant sales, $150K cap). The MEHKO program (AB 626, 2018) lets cooks sell hot, same-day meals from home — but only in counties that have opted in by ordinance or resolution.
Where it stands
2023 (context for current caps): AB 1325 (Chapter 101, Statutes of 2023; urgency, effective July 21, 2023) raised the MEHKO gross-sales cap from $50,000 to $100,000 (CPI-adjusted), raised the weekly meal limit from 60 to 90, and defined 'meal.' 2024: Los Angeles County opted in (ordinance adopted May 14, 2024; permitting began Nov. 1, 2024); Contra Costa County authorized a MEHKO pilot program; Santa Clara County began issuing MEHKO permits. 2025: no cottage-food or MEHKO statute changes; both programs' caps adjust annually for inflation based on the California CPI. 2026: SB 1447, the Health Omnibus (Chapter 238, Statutes of 2026; signed Sept. 14, 2026; effective Jan. 1, 2027) makes technical amendments to HSC 114367.1 (the MEHKO exemptions section) and related retail-food sections — no change to caps, meal limits, or the county opt-in structure. Pending: AB 1679 (local pop-up small business program; enrolled and on the governor's desk as of Sept. 29, 2026) would require cities and counties to allow 120-day temporary commercial activations, with food uses limited to limited-food-preparation or temporary-food-facility standards; it does not directly amend cottage-food or MEHKO law.
Residents can find and support local kitchens through the California hub — browse kitchens, read the law guide, and see what is cooking near you.
Cottage food fight in California
- 2012 — Cottage food (CFO) — AB 1616 creates the program; AB 1144 (2021) amends it
California's Cottage Food law (AB 1616, 2012; amended by AB 1144, 2021) is statewide for shelf-stable packaged goods: Class A direct-sale registration ($75,000 cap) and Class B permit for retail/restaurant sales ($150,000 cap), both CPI-adjusted. Source
Street vendor fight in California
10 supporter(s) and 7 opposition entr(ies) on this page carry this track tag — see Supporters / Opposition below.
- 2018 — SB 946 — Safe Sidewalk Vending Act decriminalizes sidewalk vending
SB 946 (Sen. Ricardo Lara; Chapter 459, Statutes of 2018; signed September 17, 2018, effective January 1, 2019) enacted the Safe Sidewalk Vending Act (Gov. Code §§51038–51039): local authorities may not ban sidewalk vending or impose criminal penalties — violations are punishable only by administrative fines. Local programs may regulate time, place, and manner only where directly related to objective health, safety, or welfare concerns, and may require a local vending permit or business license and a CDTFA seller's permit. Source - 2022 — SB 972 — creates compact mobile food operations (CMFOs)
SB 972 (Sen. Lena Gonzalez; Chapter 489, Statutes of 2022) is primarily a compact mobile food operations (CMFO) bill: under Health & Safety Code §114368.3 a MEHKO or cottage food operation may serve as commissary / mobile support unit for up to two CMFOs with local enforcement endorsement, and MEHKO food may be served from a CMFO. Source - 2026 — LA County Sidewalk Vending Cart Program — free compliant carts + grants
The Los Angeles County Department of Economic Opportunity, with the City of Los Angeles, launched the Sidewalk Vending Cart Program on January 12, 2026: 341 California Retail Food Code-compliant carts at no cost to eligible vendors in unincorporated LA County and the City of LA. Awardees obtain a CMFO health permit from LA County DPH plus a Sidewalk Vending Registration Certificate (unincorporated county) or City of LA vending permit; vendors awarded fruit, hot-holding, cold-holding, or integrated-grill carts are also screened for a $5,000 formalization grant. Source
County opt-in board
18 of 58 counties are in — MEHKO permits are available there today; the rest are next.
Alameda Amador Contra Costa Imperial Lake Los Angeles Marin Monterey Riverside San Benito San Diego San Mateo Santa Barbara Santa Clara Santa Cruz Sierra Solano Sonoma
Next focus: Sacramento
Sacramento County has not opted in yet. Local cooks are organizing through SacraMEHKO.
How we got here
- 2018 — AB 626 passes Assembly 66-1 (per official Assembly concurrence analysis).
AB 626 passes Assembly 66-1 (per official Assembly concurrence analysis). Source - 2018 — AB 626 passes Senate 36-0 (per official Assembly concurrence analysis).
AB 626 passes Senate 36-0 (per official Assembly concurrence analysis). Source - 2018 — AB 626 final Assembly concurrence in Senate amendments 77-0 (per OpenStates, which states its data comes from
AB 626 final Assembly concurrence in Senate amendments 77-0 (per OpenStates, which states its data comes from the official California Legislature site). Source - 2018 — Gov. Jerry Brown signs AB 626 (Chapter 470, Statutes of 2018).
Gov. Jerry Brown signs AB 626 (Chapter 470, Statutes of 2018). Source - 2019 — AB 626 takes effect; MEHKO program begins statewide as a county opt-in model.
AB 626 takes effect; MEHKO program begins statewide as a county opt-in model. Source - 2019 — Riverside County adopts Ordinance No. 949 — first county to opt in (effective June 5, 2019; applications opene
Riverside County adopts Ordinance No. 949 — first county to opt in (effective June 5, 2019; applications opened June 6, 2019). Source - 2019 — AB 377 (Garcia/Mayes) chaptered as Chapter 536, Statutes of 2019; urgency measure effective the same day.
AB 377 (Garcia/Mayes) chaptered as Chapter 536, Statutes of 2019; urgency measure effective the same day. Source - 2019 — San Bernardino County Board discusses MEHKO and defers for study; county remains not opted in as of Oct 2026.
San Bernardino County Board discusses MEHKO and defers for study; county remains not opted in as of Oct 2026. Source - 2020 — Solano County adopts MEHKO (Resolution No. 2020-55); implementation delayed by COVID shelter-at-home orders, w
Solano County adopts MEHKO (Resolution No. 2020-55); implementation delayed by COVID shelter-at-home orders, with an amending resolution agendized April 13, 2021 to let the program begin. Source - 2022 — SB 972 (Gonzalez) signed; Chapter 489, Statutes of 2022 (effective January 1, 2023). Street vendor fight
SB 972 (Gonzalez) signed; Chapter 489, Statutes of 2022 (effective January 1, 2023). Source - 2023 — Santa Clara County adopts MEHKO ordinance, described by county sources as unanimous.
Santa Clara County adopts MEHKO ordinance, described by county sources as unanimous. Source - 2023 — AB 1325 (Waldron/Garcia) chaptered as Chapter 101, Statutes of 2023; urgency measure effective immediately — $
AB 1325 (Waldron/Garcia) chaptered as Chapter 101, Statutes of 2023; urgency measure effective immediately — $100,000 sales cap, 90 meals/week. Source - 2023 — Monterey County opts in (vote tally not verified on an official source).
Monterey County opts in (vote tally not verified on an official source). Source - 2023 — San Mateo County adopts permanent MEHKO ordinance (after January 29, 2019 support resolution and July 20, 2021
San Mateo County adopts permanent MEHKO ordinance (after January 29, 2019 support resolution and July 20, 2021 two-year pilot). Source - 2024 — Contra Costa County adopts Ordinance No. 2024-05 (two-year pilot) 5-0; county health later states the Board ap
Contra Costa County adopts Ordinance No. 2024-05 (two-year pilot) 5-0; county health later states the Board approved a permanent program May 12, 2026 (2026 vote/ordinance not verified). Source - 2024 — Los Angeles County gives final approval to MEHKO (tentative approval May 14, 2024); ordinance effective Novemb
Los Angeles County gives final approval to MEHKO (tentative approval May 14, 2024); ordinance effective November 1, 2024; applications began early October 2024. Source - 2024 — Sonoma County adopts MEHKO (vote tally not verified on an official source).
Sonoma County adopts MEHKO (vote tally not verified on an official source). Source - 2025 — Statewide MEHKO permits reach 1,218 (per SacraMEHKO program review).
Statewide MEHKO permits reach 1,218 (per SacraMEHKO program review). Source - 2026 — AB 2315 last action shown on LegiScan pending-committee listing: referred to Assembly Health Committee. No pas
AB 2315 last action shown on LegiScan pending-committee listing: referred to Assembly Health Committee. No passage verified as of Oct 2026; official leginfo status unverified. Source - 2026 — CAMEO coalition support letter for AB 2315 (as amended March 19, 2026) states 18 jurisdictions had adopted the
CAMEO coalition support letter for AB 2315 (as amended March 19, 2026) states 18 jurisdictions had adopted the program covering roughly 60% of California's population. Source - 2026 — Sacramento County Environmental Commission minutes note EMD workshops on MEHKOs to gather feedback on the opt-
Sacramento County Environmental Commission minutes note EMD workshops on MEHKOs to gather feedback on the opt-in option. Sacramento County remains not opted in. Source - 2012 — Cottage food (CFO) — AB 1616 creates the program; AB 1144 (2021) amends it Cottage food fight
California's Cottage Food law (AB 1616, 2012; amended by AB 1144, 2021) is statewide for shelf-stable packaged goods: Class A direct-sale registration ($75,000 cap) and Class B permit for retail/restaurant sales ($150,000 cap), both CPI-adjusted. Source - 2018 — SB 946 — Safe Sidewalk Vending Act decriminalizes sidewalk vending Street vendor fight
SB 946 (Sen. Ricardo Lara; Chapter 459, Statutes of 2018; signed September 17, 2018, effective January 1, 2019) enacted the Safe Sidewalk Vending Act (Gov. Code §§51038–51039): local authorities may not ban sidewalk vending or impose criminal penalties — violations are punishable only by administrative fines. Local programs may regulate time, place, and manner only where directly related to objective health, safety, or welfare concerns, and may require a local vending permit or business license and a CDTFA seller's permit. Source - 2026 — LA County Sidewalk Vending Cart Program — free compliant carts + grants Street vendor fight
The Los Angeles County Department of Economic Opportunity, with the City of Los Angeles, launched the Sidewalk Vending Cart Program on January 12, 2026: 341 California Retail Food Code-compliant carts at no cost to eligible vendors in unincorporated LA County and the City of LA. Awardees obtain a CMFO health permit from LA County DPH plus a Sidewalk Vending Registration Certificate (unincorporated county) or City of LA vending permit; vendors awarded fruit, hot-holding, cold-holding, or integrated-grill carts are also screened for a $5,000 formalization grant. Source - 2022 — SB 972 — creates compact mobile food operations (CMFOs) Street vendor fight
SB 972 (Sen. Lena Gonzalez; Chapter 489, Statutes of 2022) is primarily a compact mobile food operations (CMFO) bill: under Health & Safety Code §114368.3 a MEHKO or cottage food operation may serve as commissary / mobile support unit for up to two CMFOs with local enforcement endorsement, and MEHKO food may be served from a CMFO. Source
Supporters
On the public record supporting home kitchens in California.
Eduardo Garcia
Assemblymember (D-Coachella); author of AB 626 (2018) and co-author of AB 377 (2019) and AB 1325 (2023)
Source: https://www.cdph.ca.gov/Programs/CEH/DFDCS/Pages/FDBPrograms/Foo
Lena Gonzalez Street vendor fight
State Senator; author of SB 972 (2022)
Source: https://billtexts.s3.amazonaws.com/ca/ca-analysishttps-leginfo-l
Marie Waldron
Assemblymember (R); lead author of AB 1325 (2023)
Source: https://trackbill.com/s3/bills/CA/2023/AB/1325/analyses/assembly
Joaquin Arambula
Assemblymember; co-author of AB 2315 (2025-26)
Source: https://cameonetwork.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/DRAFT-Coalit
Melissa Hurtado
State Senator; co-author of AB 2315 (2025-26)
Source: https://mailchi.mp/cookalliance/announcing-ab-2315-a-new-mehko-b
V. Manuel Perez
Riverside County Supervisor
Source: https://mehko.org/list-california-counties-mehko-accepting-appli
Janice Hahn
Los Angeles County Supervisor
Source: https://mehko.org/list-california-counties-mehko-accepting-appli
Susan Ellenberg
Santa Clara County Board President
Source: https://mehko.org/list-california-counties-mehko-accepting-appli
COOK Alliance
Sponsor/advocacy lead on AB 626, AB 1325, and AB 2315; tracks county implementation and supports operators.
Source: https://cookalliance.org
CAMEO Network
Co-sponsor of AB 2315; signatory (with others) on March 25, 2026 coalition support letter.
Source: https://cameonetwork.org
Inclusive Action for the City Street vendor fight
Co-sponsor/supporter on SB 972 and AB 2315; included AB 2315 in its 2026 state agenda.
Source: https://inclusiveaction.org
Alchemist CDC
Co-sponsor of AB 2315; co-lead of SacraMEHKO (Sacramento County implementation effort).
SacraMEHKO
Sacramento-oriented MEHKO advocacy and research; published statewide program review (1,218 permits by September 2025).
Source: https://sacramehko.org
CHIRLA (Coalition for Humane Immigrant Rights) Street vendor fight
Registered co-sponsor/supporter of SB 972 per June 28, 2022 Assembly Health Committee analysis.
Source: https://chirla.org
Community Power Collective Street vendor fight
Registered co-sponsor/supporter of SB 972 per June 28, 2022 Assembly Health Committee analysis.
Source: https://unverified
Public Counsel Street vendor fight
Registered co-sponsor/supporter of SB 972 per June 28, 2022 Assembly Health Committee analysis.
Source: https://unverified
Western Center on Law & Poverty Street vendor fight
Registered co-sponsor/supporter of SB 972 per June 28, 2022 Assembly Health Committee analysis.
Source: https://unverified
California Association of Environmental Health Administrators
Removed its opposition to SB 972 after adoption of June 23, 2022 amendments (per Assembly Health Committee analysis).
Source: https://unverified
Ricardo Lara Street vendor fight
Source: https://billtexts.s3.amazonaws.com/ca/ca-analysishttps-leginfo-l
CHIRLA Street vendor fight
Source: https://billtexts.s3.amazonaws.com/ca/ca-analysishttps-leginfo-l
County Health Executives Association of California (CHEAC)
Source: https://cheac.org/legislature-returns-from-spring-recess-meets-f
APA California (American Planning Association, California Chapter)
Source: https://www.apacalifornia.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/AB-626-
Sen. Ricardo Lara Street vendor fight
Author of SB 946 (2018), the Safe Sidewalk Vending Act that decriminalized sidewalk vending statewide.
Source: https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/billVersionsCompareClie
LA County Department of Economic Opportunity Street vendor fight
Runs the Sidewalk Vending Cart Program (with the City of Los Angeles): 341 no-cost code-compliant carts and formalization grants for sidewalk vendors.
Source: https://opportunity.lacounty.gov/sidewalkvendingcarts/
Opposition
On the public record opposing, described briefly and neutrally.
California State Association of Counties
Raised concerns about food-safety oversight; neighborhood impacts.
Source: https://encinitas.granicus.com/MetaViewer.php?view_id=7&clip_id=
Urban Counties of California
Raised concerns about food-safety oversight; neighborhood impacts.
Source: https://encinitas.granicus.com/MetaViewer.php?view_id=7&clip_id=
Rural County Representatives of California
Raised concerns about food-safety oversight; neighborhood impacts.
Source: https://encinitas.granicus.com/MetaViewer.php?view_id=7&clip_id=
County Health Executives Association of California (CHEAC)
Raised concerns about inspection and outbreak costs.
Source: https://cheac.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/AB-626-fiscal-fact-
Health Officers Association of California
Raised concerns about inspection and outbreak costs.
Source: https://cheac.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/AB-626-fiscal-fact-
Oakland Food Policy Council
Sought community ownership of sales platforms.
Source: https://encinitas.granicus.com/MetaViewer.php?view_id=7&clip_id=
City of Berkeley
Sought community ownership of sales platforms.
Source: https://encinitas.granicus.com/MetaViewer.php?view_id=7&clip_id=
City of Vista
Raised concerns about neighborhood impacts; enforcement costs.
Source: https://www.vista.gov/home/showpublisheddocument/19713/636916225
San Gabriel Valley Council of Governments Planners TAC
Sought a city opt-out.
Source: https://www.sgvcog.org/_files/ugd/f815d4_de822df9c3d049aebc194d0
City of Paramount Street vendor fight
Raised concerns about local inspection authority; sought stronger food-safety rules.
Source: https://billtexts.s3.amazonaws.com/ca/ca-analysishttps-leginfo-l
City of Whittier Street vendor fight
Raised concerns about local inspection authority; sought stronger food-safety rules.
Source: https://billtexts.s3.amazonaws.com/ca/ca-analysishttps-leginfo-l
California Travel Association Street vendor fight
Sought stronger local enforcement tools.
Source: https://billtexts.s3.amazonaws.com/ca/ca-analysishttps-leginfo-l
Visit Sacramento Street vendor fight
Sought stronger local enforcement tools.
Source: https://billtexts.s3.amazonaws.com/ca/ca-analysishttps-leginfo-l
Golden Gate Restaurant Association Street vendor fight
Sought stronger local enforcement tools.
Source: https://billtexts.s3.amazonaws.com/ca/ca-analysishttps-leginfo-l
San Francisco Travel Association Street vendor fight
Sought stronger local enforcement tools.
Source: https://billtexts.s3.amazonaws.com/ca/ca-analysishttps-leginfo-l
City of Santa Monica Street vendor fight
Raised concerns about unpermitted-vending enforcement.
Source: https://billtexts.s3.amazonaws.com/ca/ca-analysishttps-leginfo-l
City of Placerville
Raised concerns about kitchen safety standards; announced-inspection limits.
Source: https://www.cityofplacerville.org/media/City Council Staff Repor
Folsom City Council
Raised concerns about neighborhood impacts.
Source: https://citizenportal.ai/articles/6470903/California/San-Francis
San Bernardino County Board of Supervisors
Sought more study before deciding.
Source: https://mehko.org/list-california-counties-mehko-accepting-appli
The deciders
Governor
Office of the Governor of California (name not yet verified in this research pass)
Contact the deciders
A pre-written letter in California's own terminology. The buttons open it in your email — addressed by you to the office above. Nothing sends until you press send.