CA Cottage food law

California cottage food law

California Homemade Food Act (Cottage Food Operations, Cal. Health & Safety Code §113758). Administered by California Department of Public Health (approved foods list); your county environmental health department (registration or permit).

PermitCounty registration or permitCalifornia Department of Public Health

Sales cap$88,878 / $177,756Gross sales per year

Sell onlineYes, including mailChecked September 29, 2026

Permit: Yes. Class A operations register with the county; Class B operations get a county permit. CDPH does not register or permit CFOs.
Sales cap: 2026 limits: Class A $88,878; Class B $177,756 (adjusted each January for inflation from the base $75,000 / $150,000).
Where you can sell: Class A: direct sales only, including phone and online orders, fulfilled in person, by mail or by third-party delivery. Class B: direct sales plus indirect sales through restaurants and food markets.
Training: Complete a Cottage Food Operator training within three months of registering or permitting.

Confirm with California Department of Public Health. This is a summary of the official guidance listed under Sources, checked September 29, 2026. Official page

What you can make

Non-potentially hazardous foods on CDPH's Approved Cottage Food List.

What you can't

Anything not on the approved list, including foods that need refrigeration.

Label requirements

Labels must meet state and federal requirements (see CDPH's Cottage Food Labeling Requirements)

Recent change

AB 1144 (effective January 1, 2022) raised the limits and allowed mail and delivery; limits adjust annually.

Outgrowing your home kitchen

We list 67 rentable commercial kitchens in California, including Oakland, Los Angeles, Santa Rosa, Santa Ana. See California kitchens.

Questions people ask

Do I need a permit to sell food from home in California?

Yes. Class A operations register with the county; Class B operations get a county permit. CDPH does not register or permit CFOs.

How much can I sell under California's cottage food law?

2026 limits: Class A $88,878; Class B $177,756 (adjusted each January for inflation from the base $75,000 / $150,000).

Where can I sell cottage food in California?

Class A: direct sales only, including phone and online orders, fulfilled in person, by mail or by third-party delivery. Class B: direct sales plus indirect sales through restaurants and food markets.

What happens when I outgrow the cottage food law?

If you pass the sales cap or want to make foods the law excludes, you'll need a licensed kitchen. Renting time in a shared commercial kitchen is the usual next step; we list 67 rentable kitchens in California.

Sources

Last checked September 29, 2026.