Cottage Food Law /US
A structured reference to state cottage food rules

United States · CA

California

Cottage Food Operation (CFO)

Informational only — not legal advice. Verify every requirement with the official agency cited below before producing or selling food.

At a glance

Administering agency
Local enforcement agency (county or city environmental health) registers and permits CFOs; CDPH maintains the approved cottage foods list

CDPH does not permit or register cottage food operations.

Source: CDPH — Cottage Food Operations · Verified Sep 15, 2026

Permit required
Yes

Class A: registration plus a self-certification checklist. Class B: permit issued after an initial inspection. Both renew annually.

Source: Cal. Health & Safety Code § 114365 · Verified Sep 15, 2026

License cost
Varies by jurisdiction

Fees are set by the local enforcement agency; there is no state fee schedule. Local agencies may add a surcharge for Class B permits.

Source: Cal. Health & Safety Code § 114365.6 · Verified Sep 15, 2026

Annual sales cap

The statute sets the base limits and requires both to be adjusted each year for inflation (California CPI); CDPH publishes the adjusted limits each January.

Source: Cal. Health & Safety Code § 113758 · Verified Sep 22, 2026

Training required
Yes

Anyone who prepares or packages cottage food must complete a food processor course within three months of registration or permit, and every three years after.

Source: CDPH — Cottage Food Operator Training · Verified Sep 15, 2026

Home inspection
Yes

Class B: initial inspection, then no more than one inspection per year. Class A: no initial or routine inspections.

Source: Cal. Health & Safety Code § 114365 · Verified Sep 15, 2026

Permit details

How it works
Two tiers. Class A: register with the local enforcement agency and submit a self-certification checklist; direct sales only; no initial or routine inspections. Class B: permit issued after an initial inspection, then no more than one inspection per year; direct and indirect sales (e.g., through retail shops and restaurants). Registrations and permits renew annually, and one county's registration or permit is valid throughout the state.

Source: Cal. Health & Safety Code § 114365 · Verified Sep 15, 2026

Allowed foods

Allowed
  • Baked goods without cream, custard, or meat fillings (e.g., bread, cookies, cake, fruit-only pies — no pumpkin)
  • Candy and confections (e.g., fudge, toffee, brittles, chocolate-covered nonperishables)
  • Extracts of at least 70 proof, listed flavors only (e.g., vanilla, lemon)
  • Dried, dehydrated, and freeze-dried foods (e.g., baking mixes, pasta, cereals, granola, trail mixes, popcorn, roasted or freeze-dried coffee, tea, herbs and herb blends)
  • Frostings, icings, fondants, and gum pastes without eggs, cream, or cream cheese (e.g., buttercream made with butter)
  • Honey and sorghum syrups (pure only)
  • Fruit butters, preserves, jams, and jellies made only from fruits listed in 21 CFR Part 150
  • Nuts, nut mixes, and nut butters (roasted or pasteurized nuts only)
  • Powdered beverage bases and mixes
  • Vinegars and mustards

Source: CDPH — Approved Cottage Foods List (reviewed April 2026) · Verified Sep 15, 2026

Prohibited
  • Any potentially hazardous food, and any food not on the approved list
  • Baked goods with cream, custard, or meat fillings (including pumpkin pie)
  • Frostings containing eggs (other than pasteurized or powdered), cream, or cream cheese
  • Jams or jellies made from fruits or vegetables not listed in 21 CFR Part 150
  • Salsa
  • Pickles, hot sauce, and other canned low-acid or acidified foods

Potentially hazardous foods are barred by HSC § 114365.5. Salsa, pickles, and canned foods per the CDPH FAQ; the rest follow from the approved list's stated limits.

Source: CDPH — Cottage Food FAQ and Approved Cottage Foods List · Verified Sep 15, 2026

Labeling requirements

On every package
  • "Made in a Home Kitchen" (or "Repackaged in a Home Kitchen") in 12-point type on the principal display panel
  • Common or descriptive name of the product
  • CFO name, city, and zip code (street address if not in a current phone directory)
  • Registration or permit number and the name of the issuing county
  • Ingredients in descending order of predominance by weight
  • Net quantity in both English and metric units
  • Plain-language declaration of major food allergens

Source: CDPH — Labeling Requirements for Cottage Food Products · Verified Sep 15, 2026

Sales channels

Where you can sell
  • In person: Yes
  • Farmers market: Yes
  • Online (in-state): Yes
  • Online (out-of-state shipping): No
  • Delivery (in-state): Yes
  • Retail / wholesale resale: Yes
  • Direct sales (in person, phone, or online) may be fulfilled in person, by mail, or by third-party delivery, within California. Indirect sales through retail shops and restaurants require a Class B permit. Direct and indirect sales are both defined as transactions within the state.

Source: Cal. Health & Safety Code § 113758 · Verified Sep 15, 2026

Caveats

  • Registration and permits are handled locally (county or city environmental health), so fees and forms differ by jurisdiction.
  • CDPH's own program pages still show the unadjusted $75,000 / $150,000 limits; the 2026 inflation-adjusted figures come from CDPH's adjusted-limits document.

Official sources

Page last reviewed: 2026-09-15

Related