204 OPERATING REQUIREMENTS

204.1 The operator of a microenterprise home kitchen business shall prepare, handle, package, store, and sell food in compliance with the Department's regulations.

204.2 A microenterprise home kitchen business shall only prepare, handle, package, store, or sell Department-approved food products.

204.3 A microenterprise home kitchen business shall obtain food from sources that comply with federal and state laws and are inspected by their respective regulatory authority that oversees their geographical areas.

204.4 A microenterprise home kitchen business that does not hold a valid Registry Health Permit or Vending Operation Health Permit from the Department to operate as a microenterprise home kitchen business shall not sell food at any vending location in the District of Columbia.

204.5 Only operators of a microenterprise home kitchen business and persons under their direct supervision may prepare, handle, package, store, or sell the business's food products or their ingredients.

204.6 A microenterprise home kitchen business shall develop and follow written standard operating procedures (SOPs).

204.7 The SOPs shall include:

(a) Procedures and methods for how all food products will be prepared, handled, packaged, stored, and transported;

(b) Procedures, methods, and schedules for cleaning utensils and equipment;

(c) Procedures and methods for the disposal of refuse; and

(d) A plan for maintaining time/temperature control for safety food at the appropriate temperatures for each food product.

204.8 The operator shall display a printed notification at its vending site that the vending site sells products produced in a microenterprise home kitchen business and that the microenterprise home kitchen business products do not meet the same requirements of a commercial retail food establishment and are not subject to the District of Columbia's Food Code Regulations.

SOURCE: Final Rulemaking published at 72 DCR 011556 (October 17, 2025).

Food Operations and Community Hygiene Facilities:

Microenterprise Home Kitchen Regulations