Ordinance would permit home-based restaurants
Nevada County will hold an online town hall meeting on Thursday, Oct. 24, to discuss a proposed microenterprise home kitchen program under consideration by the Board of Supervisors. Should the Board move forward with approval of an ordinance, residents in Nevada County could legally operate small restaurants from their homes.
The town hall, which is at 2 p.m., will be an opportunity for community members to learn more about microenterprise home kitchens, ask questions, and share opinions. The Nevada County Environmental Health Department will provide details about food safety regulations, needed permits, business licenses, well standards, and more.
Microenterprise home kitchens are different than cottage food operations, which are already allowed in Nevada County. Cottage food operations sell pre-packaged foods from private homes with no on-site food consumption.
Microenterprise home kitchens, by contrast, would be able to offer on-site dining, pick-up or delivery options to customers. They would have to prepare and serve food the same day, with a limit of serving no more than 30 meals a day or 90 meals a week.
The Board of Supervisors is considering an ordinance to allow a microenterprise home kitchen program in Nevada County, and the purpose of this town hall is to share the current California law and what a program would entail, such as permitting, inspection, and possible enforcement.
To access the online meeting, visit www.nevadacountyca.gov/homekitchentownhall. For more information about the ordinance, visit www.nevadacountyca.gov/homekitchens.
