Supervisors hear ordinance to authorize home‑cooked meal permits; board asks staff for more city coordination and tables first reading

The Marin County Board of Supervisors received the introductory presentation May 6 on a proposed county ordinance to permit Microenterprise Home Kitchen Operations (MECOS) — limited, regulated sale of freshly cooked food prepared in private home kitchens — and asked staff to return with clarifications about city coordination, on‑site consumption, enforcement and fee waivers.

Environmental Health Deputy Director Greg Kealey and Shannon Bell (Consumer Protection) summarized the state law (AB 626, AB 377, AB 1325 and SB 972) that permits local governments to authorize MECOS and described the county’s proposed permit framework. Key features staff proposed include per‑home, non‑transferable annual permits, a cap of 30 meals per day and 90 meals per week, a $725 application review fee and $414 operating permit fee, routine annual inspections, required food‑safety training (manager and handler cards), and a stated county intent to offer fee reductions or waivers for residents living in census tracts the county identifies as disadvantaged (Healthy Places Index score ≤70), subject to available grant funding.

Staff also highlighted a feature added by recent state law: a MECO may operate as a commissary for up to two compact mobile food units, which county staff said could help unpermitted street vendors find a lawful pathway. Supervisors asked whether local cities and towns can restrict on‑site consumption or limit the operation under municipal zoning; staff said they would review local zoning constraints and return with clearer guidance. Several supervisors expressed concern about on‑site consumption at private residences (neighbors, noise, impacts) and wanted clearer city coordination before a first reading.

Supervisors also asked whether Environmental Health has the staff capacity to implement inspections and follow‑ups; staff said experience in other counties shows initial permit counts are modest and that the department can start with current staffing but will monitor workload — fee waivers tied to grants and a small county grant were proposed to reduce barriers for applicants in disadvantaged communities.

Ending: Rather than adopt a first reading, the board directed staff to return with more detailed language clarifying the county/municipal relationship on zoning and on‑site consumption, fee waiver criteria and staffing/implementation details; staff said they would bring a revised ordinance back for the board’s consideration.