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Cottage Food Operations

California Homemade Food Act (AB1616) - Cottage Food Operations is a law that became effective January 1, 2013. A Cottage Food Operation is an enterprise at a private home within the State of California where low risk food products are prepared or packaged for sale to consumers.

What foods can I make in my home?

You’re allowed to make certain non-potentially hazardous foods. What this means is the end product that you make has to be (1) listed as approved by the State and (2) shelf stable and does not need refrigeration. Some examples of foods you can make include muffins, cookies, nuts, candies, roasted coffee, popcorn and certain cakes and pies. For an updated list of approved products, visit the California Department of Public Health (CDPH) page for Cottage Foods.

Types of Cottage Food Operations

Class A is for selling food directly from home to the end consumer whether in person, by mail, or by third-party delivery and can include sales at special events such as holiday bazaars, bake sales, food swaps, or certified farmers’ markets. The Class A Registration allows you to engage in DIRECT sales only in the state of California. Class A requires the operator to register with the local health department. There is no inspection with a Class A registration.
Class B allows you to sell to retailers who will then resell the food. For example, you sell food to a market or coffee shop that resells it to its customers. Class B requires the operator to obtain a permit from the local health department. There is a yearly inspection in order to obtain a Class B permit. You may also operate as a Class A Cottage Food Operation when you have a Class B permit.

Please note that if you conduct point of service sales outside your home at a community event (farmer’s market or a festival/fair), you will need an additional permit that is not covered under the Cottage Food Law. For that, please go to our Hosting an Event/Temporary Food Facilities page.

How long is the registration/permit valid for?

The registration/permit is valid for one year, as long as you remain at the same residence.

How much does Class A Registration or a Class B Permit cost?

An application fee must be submitted along with the “Cottage Food Operation Packet” (CFO Packet) and includes the review of up to five (5) product labels. If the CFO Packet includes more than five (5) product labels, a separate review fee of $171.40 per hour, per quarter hour, or fraction thereof will be invoiced for the time required to evaluate the additional product labels.

Once your CFO Application Packet is approved, you will be informed of your status of your permit and if there are additional review fees (if applicable). A permit and or registration, once issued is non-transferable. A permit and or registration is only valid for the person, location, type of food sales, or distribution activity unless suspended or revoked, for the time intended.

Beginning with your second year, you will receive a mailed invoice typically one (1) month before your health permit and or registration expires. A new health permit and or registration will be issued once the CFO Renewal form(PDF, 258KB) has been received and reviewed by Environmental Health (EH), and the Annual Renewal Fee has been paid. If you do not want to renew your operation, please email the completed and signed CFO Cancellation form(PDF, 258KB) to Environmental Health at emd.info@edcgov.us.

The fees for July 1, 2024, to June 30, 2025, can be found here.