Your San Diego Cook Guide

Everything you need to start selling your food legally in San Diego County, and get it in front of local customers.

Which kind of cook are you?

• Home kitchen meals (MEHKO): If you want to cook hot, made-to-order meals from your home kitchen, like a mini restaurant, you'll want a MEHKO permit. Meals are made and served the same day, for pickup.
• Packaged goods (Cottage Food): If you make shelf-stable items like baked goods, jams, granola, or candy, you'll want a Cottage Food registration. Class A means you sell directly to customers; Class B means you also sell through shops and markets.
• Not sure which fits? The San Diego Department of Environmental Health and Quality can help, or reply to us and we'll point you the right way.

Your local agency: San Diego County DEHQ

Both permit types in San Diego County are handled by the County of San Diego Department of Environmental Health and Quality (DEHQ).

Phone: (858) 505-6900 · Email: FHDMEHKO@sdcounty.ca.gov

Getting your MEHKO permit

1. Complete the Health Permit Application and the Standard Operating Procedures form (it includes your proposed menu).
2. Get your Food Safety Manager Certificate.
3. Submit to DEHQ. They review within about 20 business days.
4. DEHQ schedules a home-kitchen inspection and hands you your permit at that visit.

Note: For current fees, see DEHQ's fee schedule. If your home is on a private well, a water test is also required.

Getting your Cottage Food registration

1. Choose Class A (direct sales) or Class B (direct + indirect).
2. Complete the matching packet and submit sample product labels (at least one per food category).
3. Complete a food-processor training course within 3 months of approval.

Note: Class B includes an inspection. For current fees, see DEHQ's fee schedule. Products must be on California's approved cottage-food list.

Once you're permitted

You're ready to list. Customers order ahead, pick up at your door, and you keep 100% of your dish price. We promote your food to San Diego customers with Facebook and Instagram ads. No commissions, no listing fees, no subscriptions.

Customers can verify any permit at SDFoodInfo.org, real permits build real trust.

Questions?

Reply to us anytime, we're here to help you get from permit to first order.

California statewide food info: CDPH, 1-800-495-3232, FDBfood@cdph.ca.gov