Torrance home-based food businesses may get a little more room to operate during the busiest baking month of the year.

The City is considering changes to its cottage food ordinance that would temporarily relax some operating restrictions during December.

Under the proposal, cottage food activities could take place outdoors on the operator’s residential property from December 1 through December 31. The changes would also allow more than one customer on the property at the same time.

Those added freedoms would come with conditions.

Operators would still need to prevent customer loitering, avoid blocking streets, sidewalks, alleys or neighboring properties, and provide a trash receptacle. Customer-generated trash would have to be removed from the property and from nearby areas at the end of each day.

The broader cottage food ordinance would remain in effect outside these temporary December provisions.

The City says the item is tentatively scheduled for the October 6 City Council meeting.

For small home-based bakers and food entrepreneurs, the change could make holiday pickups easier.

For neighbors, the safeguards are designed to limit traffic, crowding and cleanup problems.

That makes this one of those seemingly small City Hall items that could have a very practical impact on both local businesses and residential neighborhoods.

External Link: Review the City’s proposed cottage food changes