Long Beach is inching closer to letting residents legally run tiny restaurant-style operations out of their own homes, with city officials unveiling a draft ordinance to permit Microenterprise Home Kitchen Operations, or MEHKOs. The proposal would require a health permit and a business license, limit each residence to a single MEHKO, and cap both meal production and annual sales. Backers say it could offer a low-cost path into the food industry and help residents earn a steady income, while skeptical neighbors worry about grease, extra cars on the block, and late-night noise. The City Council has tapped the brakes for now, giving staff more time to fine-tune the rules before any final vote.
At the March 10 City Council meeting, members wrestled with whether landlords or homeowner associations should have a say in approving these home-based food businesses, as reported by the Press-Telegram. The outlet quoted Councilmember Tunua Thrash-Ntuk saying a MEHKO license could help residents "remain housed" by giving them a way to cover rent, and reported that the council voted to continue the item so staff can look at alternatives and come back with a revised proposal in April.
What the draft ordinance would allow
City staff laid out a set of operating rules and permit requirements that would keep these micro-kitchens small and tightly regulated. Under the draft, MEHKOs could serve no more than 30 meals per day and 90 per week, and gross annual sales could not exceed $100,000. Operators could have one full-time equivalent food employee in addition to household members. The proposal calls for written standard operating procedures, a food-safety manager certificate, a formal application, and annual inspections. It would also allow an approved MEHKO to function as a commissary kitchen for up to two food carts, according to City of Long Beach staff.
Landlord notification draws pushback
One piece of the draft has already stirred up a mini firestorm. The ordinance currently calls for either notifying or obtaining authorization from a landlord or HOA before a MEHKO can operate. Many commenters and advocates blasted that idea as an unnecessary gatekeeping step for would-be home chefs. Community speakers warned that such a rule could disproportionately block immigrants, women, and low-income cooks from using the program. Councilmember Jesica Coronado told the Press-Telegram that moving forward with MEHKOs without requiring landlord or HOA signoff would make the opportunity more accessible to those groups.
How Long Beach compares to nearby programs
Long Beach is not inventing this from scratch. City staff studied how similar programs have rolled out across the region, particularly in Los Angeles County, which began permitting MEHKOs in late 2024. The county has already issued more than 100 permits and has offered limited-time fee subsidies and training to reduce startup costs, according to Los Angeles County. Those examples show there is real demand for home-based food businesses and provide ready-made templates for subsidies, inspections, and operator training that Long Beach is weighing as it finalizes its own rules.
Legal backdrop and safety rules
California opened the door for home kitchens with Assembly Bill 626 and follow-up legislation that formally defines MEHKOs and establishes baseline food-safety and permitting standards cities and counties must follow. The Assembly Health Committee legislative summary details AB 626's framework, including caps on sales and meal counts and requirements for local permits and food-handler training, which Long Beach must incorporate if it decides to launch its program.
What happens next
The Planning Commission signed off on the necessary zoning changes on December 18, 2025, clearing a key hurdle. Now the council will spend the spring hammering out implementation details while staff refines permit language and enforcement plans. Residents who want to follow the process or weigh in can find the official notice, hearing logistics, and filing instructions in the city's public hearing materials on the City of Long Beach website.
