Cotati staff briefs commissioners on new state rules for micro-restaurants, sidewalk vendors and food trucks; ordinance work proposed

City staff updated the Cotati Planning Commission on Jan. 13, 2025, about how recent state laws affect small-scale food and retail businesses and proposed bringing new ordinances to the City Council. Staff said changes at the state level allow micro enterprise home kitchens (MECOs), sidewalk vendors and expanded cottage-food activity, and noted the city’s zoning code does not currently address food trucks specifically.

The presentation — prepared by Associate Planner Buss and delivered by Community Development Department staff — summarized the most significant state-authorized business types. Staff said micro enterprise kitchens are home-based restaurants limited by state law to 30 meals per day or 90 meals per week and require annual health-department inspections. Sidewalk vendors and compact mobile food operations (push carts, stands, non-motorized wagons) are…