How long does it take to get a MEHKO permit in San Mateo County?

Typically 3 to 8 weeks from submitting a complete application. The biggest variable is how quickly you can get the initial inspection scheduled, and whether your SOP needs revisions.

Do I need a commercial kitchen?

No. MEHKO is specifically for ordinary home kitchens. You need working refrigeration, a way to wash hands, a probe thermometer, and a clean space — not commercial equipment or a separate kitchen.

Can I get a MEHKO permit if I rent?

Yes, the law doesn't require you to own your home. Check your lease and any HOA rules for home-business restrictions, though — the health department won't, but your landlord might.

Is a Food Handler card enough?

No. MEHKO requires the Food Protection Manager certification (ServSafe Manager or an equivalent ANSI-accredited exam). The Food Handler card is a lower-level credential for employees.

How to Get a MEHKO Permit in San Mateo County: Steps, Cost & Timeline (2026)

The short answer

To sell home-cooked meals legally in San Mateo County, you need a Microenterprise Home Kitchen Operation (MEHKO) permit from the San Mateo County Environmental Health Services. The process: earn a Food Protection Manager certificate, write your standard operating procedures, submit the application and fee, pass a home kitchen inspection, then get your city business license. Expect 3–8 weeks from application to your first sale. Once permitted, you can sell up to 30 meals a day, 90 a week, and $100,000 a year.

MEHKO in San Mateo County: the basics

The San Mateo County Board of Supervisors authorized a two-year MEHKO pilot on July 20, 2021, then made the program permanent on September 12, 2023. It's a stable, ongoing program with a dedicated page and staff at Environmental Health Services (650-372-6200, homebasedfoodoperation@smcgov.org).

The permit covers home kitchens in Daly City, San Mateo, Redwood City, South San Francisco, San Bruno, Pacifica, Menlo Park, Foster City, Burlingame, Millbrae, Half Moon Bay, East Palo Alto, Belmont, San Carlos, and unincorporated areas of the county. If you're not sure which jurisdiction you fall under, the department's website has an address lookup, or you can call them.

Step by step: how to apply

Get your Food Protection Manager certificate. MEHKO requires the manager-level certification (ServSafe Manager, Prometric, NRFSP, or 360training), not the basic Food Handler card. The course is online, takes a day, and costs roughly $100–$150 including the proctored exam. It's valid for five years.
Write your Standard Operating Procedures (SOP). This is the document the health department reads most closely. It describes your menu, how you'll receive and store ingredients, cooking and holding temperatures, how you'll clean and sanitize, how you'll handle allergens, and how customers will pick up or receive delivery. Most counties provide a template — use it.
Fill out the MEHKO application. Download it from the San Mateo County Environmental Health Services website. You'll attach your SOP, your certificate, a simple sketch of your kitchen layout, your proposed menu, and proof of your water and sewage source (a utility bill works for city water).
Pay the application fee. San Mateo County publishes its MEHKO fees in the Environmental Health fee schedule; check the county MEHKO page for the current application and annual amounts before applying. You apply and pay online through the MyEHS portal.
Schedule the initial inspection. An inspector visits your home kitchen to confirm what's in your SOP: working refrigeration at or below 41°F, a way to check food temperatures (a probe thermometer), a handwashing setup, sanitizer, no pets in the kitchen while operating, and a clean, pest-free space. They're checking for a safe operation, not a commercial kitchen.
Receive your permit. Once you pass, the department issues your MEHKO permit and permit number. Keep it posted; platforms like Makinson Street require it and display it on your profile.
Get your city business license and seller's permit. Most cities require a business license or home occupation permit. If you sell taxable items, register with CDTFA for a seller's permit. Neither is issued by the health department, and both are usually quick.

What San Mateo County specifically requires

Apply online through the MyEHS Portal — the county recommends it over paper, and the fee is paid in the same portal.
Coastside kitchens on septic (Half Moon Bay, Montara, Pescadero) need to document the system in the application; it's routine, just don't skip it.
The county asks for a menu with ingredient lists, which also makes allergen labeling on Makinson Street straightforward later.
Permits renew annually on the anniversary of issuance, with a routine inspection once per year.

What you can and can't do once permitted

Allowed	Not allowed
Cook and sell full meals, including meat, rice, and hot food	More than 30 meals/day or 90 meals/week
Sell for pickup, dine-in at your home, or deliver yourself	Third-party delivery (DoorDash, Uber Eats, Grubhub)
List on an ordering marketplace like Makinson Street	Preparing food a day ahead — everything is same-day
Employ one full-time-equivalent non-household worker	Sous vide, curing, smoking for preservation, canning, or anything needing a HACCP plan
Take card payments online or cash in person	Raw milk, raw oysters, or selling to other food businesses
Earn up to $100,000/year in gross sales	Running a Cottage Food Operation from the same address at the same time

What it costs, all in

Food Protection Manager course + exam: $100–$150
San Mateo County MEHKO application and annual permit: see fee note above
City business license: typically $25–$150/year, varies by city
Probe thermometer, sanitizer test strips, labels: under $50
Liability insurance (optional but recommended): $25–$50/month for a home food business policy

and once you're permitted —

Makinson Street lists permitted makers for 3% on card orders (plus Stripe's processing fee) and nothing on in-person payments. Read how much home cooks actually make and how to price a meal, or apply to become a maker — we'll verify your permit and walk you through your first listing.

ready to cook?

Tell us where you cook. Many makers are listed the same day.

Completely free for orders paid in person (3% plus Stripe's processing fee on card payments). No listing fees, no subscription.

Every order, pickup and message in one place.
A verified profile customers trust.
Found by neighbors and local search.
Cook for your street or your whole city.

Apply to become a maker Maker FAQ