Imperial Beach is San Diego County's southwestern coastal city, a short drive from several certified farmers markets. Here you can browse those markets and see what it takes for a resident to earn a cottage food or home kitchen permit.
Distances are approximate, measured in a straight line.
To sell cottage food from Imperial Beach, you will need a Business License with Home Occupation from Imperial Beach. In Imperial Beach, DEHQ approval comes first, so you do not submit a business license with your DEHQ application. Requirements are set by the city, so confirm the current steps with the local office at (619) 628-1356. See the San Diego cottage food guide for the full process, and the county CFO zoning requirements for how city approval fits in.
A home kitchen permit (MEHKO) is issued countywide through DEHQ, not by the city. Check with Imperial Beach about any business license requirements before you list. San Diego MEHKO guide has the full process.
Cottage food and home kitchen cooks who are permitted can reach neighbors in Imperial Beach through What's Cookin' Tonight, a pickup marketplace that lists permit-verified cooks only.
Cook with What's Cookin' TonightSee the other South Bay guides: