"Cottage food" laws let home cooks and bakers make certain low-risk foods in their own kitchen and sell them legally, without a licensed commercial kitchen. Every state writes its own version of this exemption, and the rules on sales caps, permitting, and food safety training vary widely — see our full cottage food laws by state guide for the complete picture. This page covers California specifically, where the California Department of Public Health (CDPH) runs one of the country's most detailed cottage food programs, split into two classes.
Class A vs. Class B: California's Two-Tier System
$88,878/yr Cap, No Permit
Self-certified registration with your county Environmental Health Department (LEA) — no state permit needed. Sales limited to direct-to-consumer channels: home, certified farmers markets, farm stands, CSAs, bazaars/events, and phone, internet, or mail orders.
$177,756/yr Cap, Permit Required
Requires a full permit from your county LEA, including an initial inspection before the permit is issued. In addition to direct sales, Class B allows indirect sales through permitted retailers and restaurants for resale.
💲 These 2026 figures ($88,878 for Class A, $177,756 for Class B) are CPI-adjusted every January 1 by CDPH from the original 2022 statutory base of $75,000 and $150,000. Always check CDPH's current-year figures before relying on a specific number, since the caps move each year.
A Food Handler Card Is Required — for Both Classes
Yes, California requires food safety certification for cottage food operations, and it applies to Class A and Class B alike. Under Health & Safety Code §114365.2(d), the operator, any employees, and any household members who prepare food must complete an approved food processor course within 3 months of registering, and renew that training every 3 years. This is one of the clearest state-level ties between cottage food law and food handler certification in the country — see our California food handler card requirements page for approved course options, and our guide on whether home bakers need a food handler card for how this plays out across states.
What Foods Are Allowed
California doesn't use a general "non-hazardous foods" test — CDPH maintains a closed Approved Cottage Foods List, and if a product isn't on it, it isn't approved. The list covers baked goods without cream or custard fillings or meat, candy and confections, specific extracts (70 proof or higher), dried and dehydrated foods, egg-free frostings, pure honey and sorghum, jams and jellies that comply with 21 CFR 150, roasted nuts and nut butters, powdered beverage mixes, and vinegars and mustards. Foods not on the list — fermented foods, dairy-based products, and low-acid canned goods, for example — are not approved for cottage food sale in California.
Registration, Permits & Inspections
| Class A | Class B | |
|---|---|---|
| Who handles it | County Environmental Health Dept. (LEA) — not CDPH directly | County Environmental Health Dept. (LEA) — not CDPH directly |
| Registration type | Self-certified registration | Full permit |
| Initial inspection | None | Required before permit issues |
| Ongoing inspection | Complaint-only | Up to 1x/year, absent a complaint |
| Renewal | Annual | Annual |
CDPH sets the statewide framework, but registration and permitting themselves happen at the county level. Contact your county's Environmental Health Department directly to register.
Sales Channels
Class A is restricted to direct sales: from your home, at certified farmers markets, farm stands, community-supported agriculture (CSA) programs, bazaars and events, and orders taken by phone, internet, or mail. Class B keeps all of those channels and adds indirect sales — supplying permitted retailers and restaurants that will resell your product to their own customers. Neither class may sell foods that aren't on CDPH's approved list, regardless of the sales channel.
Labeling Requirements
Every product needs "Made in a Home Kitchen" or "Repackaged in a Home Kitchen" in at least 12-point type, your registration or permit number plus the issuing county, a full ingredient list, net quantity in both pounds and grams, and an allergen declaration. CDPH's own labeling PDF still lists 8 major allergens and predates the federal addition of sesame as a 9th major allergen — for compliance, disclose all 9 federal major allergens rather than relying on CDPH's older list. Any advertisement or social media post about your product must also disclose your county, permit number, and the home-kitchen statement.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does California require a food handler card for cottage food operators?
Yes, for both Class A and Class B operations. The operator, any employees, and any household members who prepare food must complete an approved food processor course within 3 months of registering and renew it every 3 years, per Health & Safety Code §114365.2(d).
What is the California cottage food sales cap in 2026?
Class A (direct sales only, no permit) is capped at $88,878 per year and Class B (direct and indirect sales, with a permit) is capped at $177,756 per year for 2026. Both figures are CPI-adjusted and published by CDPH each January 1.
Do I need a permit to sell cottage food in California?
Class A operators self-certify a registration with their county Environmental Health Department and need no state permit. Class B operators must obtain a full permit from that same county department, which includes an initial inspection. CDPH itself does not issue cottage food registrations or permits.
Can a California cottage food operation sell to retailers or restaurants?
Only Class B operations can. Class A is limited to direct sales (home, certified farmers markets, farm stands, CSAs, events, phone/internet/mail orders). Class B adds indirect sales through permitted retailers and restaurants for resale.
Get the food processor course California cottage food operators need — required for both Class A and Class B.
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