Torrance Municipal Code Ch. 20 MICROENTERPRISE HOME KITCHEN OPERATIONS Revised 4/25 Revised 6/25 Revised…

(Added by O-3946; O-3945; Amended by O-3966)

420.1.010 MICROENTERPRISE HOME KITCHEN OPERATIONS.

Where allowed by Article 18 of Chapter 2 of Division 9 of the Torrance Municipal Code, Microenterprise Home Kitchen Operation (MEHKO) businesses shall comply with the regulations of this section in addition to those regulations set forth and enforced by the MEHKO County of Los Angeles Department of Public Health.

MEHKO businesses must have a valid City of Torrance Business License to operate within Torrance.

420.1.020 PURPOSE.

The requirements of this section are intended to:

a) Implement the California Retail Food Code to allow MEHKO;

b) Recognize that a residential property owner or resident has a limited right to conduct an unobtrusive MEHKO from his or her residence and recognize that the business should be conducted in a manner that has little to no impact on surrounding residents;

c) Preserve the residential character of residential neighborhoods, where microenterprise home kitchens operate;

d) Prevent the operation of a microenterprise home kitchen from transforming a residential neighborhood into a commercial one; and

e) Establish a business license process.

420.1.030 APPROVAL PROCESS.

a) A Business License Application for the operation of a MEHKO shall be submitted through the City of Torrance’s Citizen Portal, by mail, or in person at the City’s One Stop Permit Center. Upon submittal, the Finance Department Business License Division may either approve the application or route the application for approval by the designated department.

b) Prior to the issuance of the City Business License, the Finance Department Business License Division will verify that the applicant has supplied written proof that the MEHKO Permit has been issued by the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health.

c) Applicant shall pay the required Business License fee associated with the City’s review and processing of the application. Said fee shall not exceed the City’s cost of administering the review and permitting process.

d) If the application does not comply with the provision set forth in this Chapter, the Finance Director may deny the application, or a revision may be required in order to meet the provisions of this chapter prior to approval of the application.

e) Approval of business license by the City of Torrance for the operation of a MEHKO business may be revoked by the City if at any time the use is found to be out of compliance with the provisions of this Chapter or the County of Los Angeles Department of Public Health requirements.

f) Business licenses are nontransferable.

420.1.040 PERFORMANCE STANDARDS.

A MEHKO shall be allowed to operate from a legally established residential dwelling unit as an accessory use to the primary residential use of the dwelling, provided that the use complies with all of the following performance standards.

a) A MEHKO shall obtain the necessary permits and approvals from the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health.

b) A MEHKO is allowed one full-time employees (for 40 hours per week) or multiple employees whose combined hours do not exceed 40 hours per week.

c) A Compact Mobile Food Operation (CMFO) is not permissible within the City of Torrance.

d) A MEHKO may not offer alcohol sales or consumption in the City of Torrance.

e) A MEHKO is limited to no more than 30 individual meals per day and no more than 90 individual meals per week.

f) A MEHKO may not have more than one hundred thousand dollars ($100,000) in verifiable gross annual sales, as adjusted annual for inflation based on the California Consumer Price Index.

g) Food may only be sold directly to consumers, not to any wholesaler, caterer, or retailer.

h) A MEHKO may not act as a caterer and may not be permitted/registered as a Cottage Food Operation.

i) Signs and outdoor advertising for a MEHKO is prohibited.

j) Food may not be served in the front yard of the home, food may only be available for customer pick up, or delivery by the MEHKO, third party delivery apps are not allowed except for individuals who have a physical or mental condition indicated in the California Retail Food Code, Section 114367.5.

k) The MEHKO shall not generate obnoxious odors, fumes, or emissions that are perceptible without instruments by a reasonable person at or beyond the property line of the site.

l) The MEHKO shall comply with the noise standards for residential zones as identified in Article 7 of Chapter 6 of Division 4 of the Torrance Municipal Code and any other noise standards found in Chapter 6 of Division 4.

m) The MEHKO shall comply with all Health and Safety standards, certifications, training and permitting requirements of the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health.

n) A MEHKO must maintain a valid, current business license. Business licenses in the City of Torrance must be renewed annually by January 31, with penalties applying for late payments. Renewals can be completed online through the City of Torrance’s Citizen Portal, by mail, or in person at the City’s One Stop Permit Center.

420.1.050 VIOLATIONS – PENALTIES.

a) A violation of this Chapter is punishable only by an administrative fine in amounts not to exceed the following:

1. One Hundred Dollars ($100.00) for the first violation.

2. Two Hundred Dollars ($200.00) for a second violation within one (1) year of the first violation.

3. Five Hundred Dollars ($500.00) for each additional violation within one (1) year of the first violation.

4. The City may rescind a business license issued to a MEHKO upon the fourth or any subsequent violation.