Microenterprise Home Kitchen Operations
Lake County Environmental Health will be taking applications for the Microenterprise Home Kitchen Operations starting January 4th, 2021. The MHKO program is a special food program designed to encourage small business ownership in the food operations industry. Special rules and allowances have been created for the MHKO owner which should allow them to prepare and sell food from their home. These activities have traditionally been limited to commercial operations, which can be very expensive and difficult to start up. To learn more about the requirements and limitations of the program, please read the Lake County Ordinance below or call us at the number listed to the right.
- No more than 10 MHKO permits shall be issued during the trial period to last from January 1, 2021 to June 30, 2021.
- The shall only be two permits issued per supervisorial district during the trial period.
- No more than two permits shall be processed and issued in any month during the trial period.
- Plan Check Application: $128.00 / hour. A minimum of 1 hour will be collected at the time the application is received. Additional time will be billed at 15 minute increments should it prove necessary. The Plan Check is a one time, initial cost.
- Annual Permit Fee: $256 – The annual Permit will be issued from January 1st to December 31st of each calendar year.
- No refunds will be issued for fees paid.
MEHKO New Application Packet
Plan Check Application
Permit Application
MEHKO FAQ
MEHKO Standard Operating Procedures
Property Owner Acknowledgement (Required for Renters)
Water Requirements for MEHKO
TRIAL PROGRAM:
The MHKO ordinance is provided as a trial program and shall be available from January 1st, 2021 and end on June 30th, 2021. The program will be continuously evaluated to ensure that the safety of the public is maintained and that the operators are given every opportunity to succeed. The following restrictions during the trial period will be in effect:- No more than 10 MHKO permits shall be issued during the trial period to last from January 1, 2021 to June 30, 2021.
- The shall only be two permits issued per supervisorial district during the trial period.
- No more than two permits shall be processed and issued in any month during the trial period.
APPLICATIONS:
To apply for the MHKO program, please review the applications (links provided below) as well as the Lake County Ordinance. There are two applications required. A Plan Check application is required and will be used by an Environmental Health Specialist to determine if the Operator qualifies to conduct business under this program and that all conditions provided in the ordinance have been met. A permit application is required once the operator has been approved to participate. PERMIT TO OPERATE WILL NOT BE ISSUED UNTIL AN INITIAL INSPECTION IS COMPLETED AND COMPLIANCE WITH THE LAKE COUNTY ORDINANCE IS CONFIRMED.FEES:
The fees for applications are listed below:- Plan Check Application: $128.00 / hour. A minimum of 1 hour will be collected at the time the application is received. Additional time will be billed at 15 minute increments should it prove necessary. The Plan Check is a one time, initial cost.
- Annual Permit Fee: $256 – The annual Permit will be issued from January 1st to December 31st of each calendar year.
- No refunds will be issued for fees paid.
Links:
Lake County Microenterprise Home Kitchen Operation Ordinance 3099MEHKO New Application Packet
Plan Check Application
Permit Application
MEHKO FAQ
MEHKO Standard Operating Procedures
Property Owner Acknowledgement (Required for Renters)
Water Requirements for MEHKO