The short answerNot full meals — not yet. San Francisco has not opted into MEHKO, California's home-restaurant law, so the city's Department of Public Health doesn't issue permits to cook and sell meals from a home kitchen. What you *can* do in SF: sell shelf-stable foods (baked goods, jams, granola, candy) under a Cottage Food permit, rent a licensed commercial or commissary kitchen, or — if you live just across the county line in Daly City, Oakland, Berkeley, or anywhere in San Mateo, Alameda, or Contra Costa County — get a MEHKO permit there.
Why San Francisco is the Bay Area's exception
MEHKO (AB 626) is opt-in: each county or city health department has to pass an ordinance before it can issue permits. Every county surrounding San Francisco has done so — Alameda in 2021, San Mateo in 2021 (permanent 2023), Santa Clara in 2023, Contra Costa in 2024 (permanent May 2026), and Berkeley on its own in 2021. San Francisco's Board of Supervisors has not, and when the city overhauled its street-food regulations in March 2026, MEHKO was not included.
The COOK Alliance and other advocates have lobbied the city for years. If you're an SF resident who wants this to change, the most effective thing you can do is contact your district supervisor — the ordinance is short and the template exists in every neighboring county.
What you can legally sell from an SF home kitchen today
The Cottage Food law applies statewide, including San Francisco. A Class A permit from SFDPH lets you sell shelf-stable, non-perishable foods directly to customers; Class B adds sales through cafés and shops. The 2026 sales caps are $88,878 (Class A) and $177,756 (Class B).
| Cottage food: allowed | Cottage food: not allowed |
|---|
| Bread, cookies, cakes, pastries (no cream, custard, or meat fillings) | Anything with meat, poultry, or fish |
| Jams, jellies, fruit butters, honey | Cooked rice, beans, pasta dishes, curries |
| Granola, trail mix, dried fruit, nuts | Cheesecake, cream pies, anything needing refrigeration |
| Candy, chocolate, toffee, brittle | Salsa, hummus, pesto, fresh sauces |
| Dried pasta, roasted coffee, tea blends | Fermented or pickled foods (unless on the CDPH approved list) |
| Tortillas, crackers, popcorn | Hot meals of any kind |
Three ways SF makers sell real meals legally
1. Rent a commissary or commercial kitchen
Shared commercial kitchens in SF and the East Bay rent by the hour (typically $20–$40/hour) or by monthly membership. Cooking there lets you get a standard retail food permit as a caterer or food producer. It's the most flexible path — no meal caps, delivery apps allowed — but the rent eats margin, and you're commuting to cook.
2. Get a MEHKO permit in a neighboring county
The permit attaches to the home kitchen, not the person. If you live in Daly City (San Mateo County), Oakland or Berkeley, or anywhere in Contra Costa County, you can get a MEHKO and sell to customers who come to you — including SF customers willing to cross a bridge. A number of makers on Makinson Street in the East Bay serve exactly that crowd.
3. Cottage food now, MEHKO when SF opts in
Plenty of makers start with what's legal — a bread or dessert menu under Cottage Food — and build a customer base and reviews while waiting on the city. When SF opts in, the Food Protection Manager certificate and SOP you'd write for cottage food carry over almost directly.
what not to do —Selling home-cooked meals in SF via Instagram, WhatsApp groups, or word of mouth without a permit is common and illegal. SFDPH does act on complaints, and unpermitted sales aren't covered by any liability insurance. It also disqualifies you from platforms like Makinson Street that verify permits.
hungry?See what's cooking near you this week.
Every maker on Makinson Street is registered the way their state requires. Browse by neighborhood, dish, or dietary need.