- Home
- Departments
- Departments C - D
- Community Development Agency
- Departments
- Environmental Health
- Food Programs
- Possible Microenterprise Home Kitchens Ordinance
Possible Microenterprise Home Kitchens Ordinance
Project Manager: Environmental Health Director, Amy Irani
Call (530) 265-1222, ext. 3, to speak to a staff person or email Environmental Health
Proposed Project
From the January 2024 Board Workshop, Nevada County's Environmental Health Department was directed to conduct outreach, gather public comment, and assess interest levels in Microenterprise Home Kitchens MEHKO.
MEHKOs would allow residents to operate restaurants or sell meals out of their homes. These small businesses would have to prepare and serve meals the same day and could serve up to 90 meals per week. Furthermore, MEHKOs would not be subject to unannounced health inspections like traditional restaurants; all inspections would be by appointment, and they would not be required to remodel their home kitchen to commercial kitchen standards/requirements.
| Microenterprise Home Kitchen Information at a Glance | ||
|---|---|---|
| Operated by a resident of a private home or apartment, a "mini restaurant." Food is prepared, handled, stored, and served to customers/public. Food must be prepared and served the same day. | Maximum of 90 meals per week; 30 meals per day. Meals may also be eaten onsite or delivered to customers. | Limited to a maximum of $100,000 gross annual sales. Must sell directly to consumers for onsite dining, delivery, or take-out. |
| Restricted from: operating as a cottage food operator, caterer, temporary event vendor, or mobile food vendor in the home. | Requires jurisdictional Ordinance, designated program, application process, home business permit (through Planning Department), possible well testing/additional requirements, and enforcement capabilities. | Local jurisdictions (local cities and towns) cannot impose additional restrictions on MEHKO's for zoning purposes. |
Microenterprise Home Kitchens versus Cottage Food Operation (CFO)
MEHKO
- Food facility operated by a resdient in a private home.
- Serve potentially hazardous foods.
- Onsite dining, pick-up, or delivery options for their customers.
CFO
- An individual operating in a private home.
- Sell only pre-packaged, properly labeled, non-potentially hazardous foods.
- Jams and jellies
- Baked goods
- Sold directly to Consumers.
- No onsite food consumption.
STEP | DESCRIPTION | STATUS |
|---|---|---|
1 | Kickoff Outreach to the Community to Garner Initial Interest in the Program. | May 16, 2024 - Complete |
2 | Public Comment - Residents and business owners are invited to give their input by attending one of twelve informational public meetings scheduled in September and October or by participating via survey at www.nevadacountyca.gov/homekitchensurvey. Update Oct. 1: The public is invited to learn more about the proposed ordinance at these meetings. We are revamping our outreach to make it easier for attendance. Please stay tuned for information on a virtual town hall meeting in October. We will present in person at the So. County Municipal Advisory Council on Oct. 16, the Penn Valley Municipal Advisory Council on Oct. 17, and the North San Juan Community Center on Oct. 23. Penn Valley Municipal Advisory Council (MAC) Meeting at the Penn Valley Fire Protection District: 10513 Spenceville Road Online Town Hall via YubaNet - Join the online meeting Agricultural Commission Meeting at the Government Center in the Board of Supervisors Chambers: 950 Maidu Ave., Nevada City Government Center in the Board of Supervisors Chambers: 950 Maidu Ave., Nevada City Nevada City Council Meeting at City Hall: 317 Broad St. Grass Valley Council Meeting at City Hall: 117 Bennett Street South County Municipal Advisory Council (MAC) Meeting at Higgins Community Center: 22490 E. Hacienda Drive, Grass Valley Truckee Town Hall: 10183 Truckee Airport Rd in the Trout Creek Conference Room (2nd floor, upstairs from the Building and Planning offices) | Sept 12, 2024 - In Progress |