Although the Microenterprise Home Kitchen Operations Act authorizes local governing agencies to implement a program for the permitting of home kitchens for retail use, Orange County has NOT authorized the permitting of home kitchens for retail food operations at this time. Anyone who operates a retail home kitchen from their residence in Orange County is in violation of the California Retail Food Code. Violators are subject to closure and further enforcement actions.
Orange County’s Health Care Agency, Environmental Health Division is the lead agency for retail food operations and is working with the local governing bodies of the County and cities on the implementation of AB 626. Please check back frequently for new details on implementation.
(Effective January 1, 2019, AB 626. Full details on AB 626 can be found here.)