Santa Barbara County Board of Supervisors gives green light on home-based food businesses

SANTA MARIA, Calif. – Home-based food businesses can fire up their kitchens in Santa Barbara County after the board of supervisors approved new regulations.

A $391 health permit is required in order  to be part of the program, home-based sellers will have a cap of 30 meals a day, and can only have one full time employee from outside the household.

The home-based business could only sell less than $50,000 a year.

Santa Maria Mayor Alice Patino said she disagrees for countless reasons.

One of her concerns is cooking oil damaging the pipes.

“We got sewer pipes,” said Mayor Patino. “Water pipes in the middle of town that we can’t even build things on because the pipes won’t hold the capacity.”

Some agreed to Tuesday's ordinance.

“Another cook was laid off during the pandemic, like may folks. but when she started selling her food, she was able to afford a haircut. something as basic as a haircut for the first time in 6 months.”

The board approved the rules with a 3 to 2 vote, North County Supervisors Steve Lavagnino and Bob Nelson voted against it.

The new rules take effect in a month.