Start a MEHKO
Thinking of running a home kitchen yourself? Here's the process, and where to apply in every county that's opted in.
The steps
- Confirm your county (or city) has opted in.
- Confirm you're the resident of the private home.
- Get food safety certified.
- Write your menu and Standard Operating Procedures (SOP).
- Apply to your county's environmental health department.
- Pass the review and home-kitchen inspection.
- Fix any deficiencies and get your permit before opening.
- Stay compliant and renew.
Ask Mehko does the paperwork with you
📝Help me fill out my application
🔍How do I pass the inspection?
💲What will it really cost to start?
🍽️Check my menu
👩🍳Recipes, times & helpers
📱Get my food on delivery apps
✉️Letters for my landlord & officials
🎉I got my permit — now what?
Where to apply, county by county
Every opted-in jurisdiction below links to its official program page where available. Fees and processes change — always confirm with the county before applying.
Can't find your county here? It probably hasn't opted in — see the county lists in What is a MEHKO? on the homepage, and mehko.org's live county list.