Cottage food rules
California Cottage Food Law: Class A for Home Bakers
A clear look at California Class A cottage food rules so you know what to do before you sell.
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What to remember
- Class A covers direct-to-consumer sales only.
- You register with your local enforcement agency and submit a self-certification checklist.
- The base income limit is $75,000, CPI-adjusted to roughly $88,000 in 2026.
- Your products must be non-potentially hazardous and on the Approved Cottage Food List.
- State law does not require a Food Handler Card for Class A, but many counties expect one.
California runs two cottage food tiers. Class A is the direct sales tier, and Class B adds indirect sales through stores and restaurants. If you are baking for neighbors or people who order from you directly, Class A is the tier to check first. Our California cottage food overview walks through the whole state picture.
What Class A lets you sell and to whom
Class A is for direct-to-consumer sales. That means you sell directly to the customer, not through a store or restaurant. The food must be non-potentially hazardous and must comply with the Approved Cottage Food List maintained by the California Department of Public Health. A cottage food operation can prepare and package those foods in a private home kitchen.
How to register as Class A
A Class A operation shall not be open for business unless it is registered with the local enforcement agency and has submitted a completed, self-certification checklist. Start with your county or local enforcement agency, because that is who handles the registration. Keep your paperwork where you can find it when you need it.
Check the Approved Cottage Food List
Make sure the foods you plan to sell are non-potentially hazardous and on the California Department of Public Health’s Approved Cottage Food List.
Complete the self-certification checklist
Fill out the completed self-certification checklist that goes with Class A registration.
Register with your local enforcement agency
Register before you open for business. Class A must be registered with the local enforcement agency.
Stay within the Class A income limit
The base limit is $75,000, adjusted for inflation. In 2026 it is roughly $88,000.
Income limit and county rules
California’s cottage food income limit is $75,000 base for Class A and $150,000 base for Class B. Both are adjusted for inflation. In 2026, the Class A figure is roughly $88,000 and the Class B figure is roughly $176,000. If you want to sell through stores or restaurants, you are looking at Class B, not Class A.
What to check before you bake for sale
Before you take your first order, confirm your products and your setup. The food must be non-potentially hazardous and must comply with the Approved Cottage Food List. A cottage food operation can prepare and package those foods in a private home kitchen. If you are still comparing states or checking a move, our guide on how to check your state’s cottage food laws helps you ask the right questions.
Keep your county registration and self-certification checklist current. If your plans change and you want to sell through a shop or restaurant, check the Class B rules before you make promises. Your local enforcement agency is the place to confirm what they expect from you.
Common questions
Can I sell to a coffee shop under Class A?
No. Class A covers direct-to-consumer sales only. Indirect sales through stores and restaurants are part of Class B.
Do I need a Food Handler Card for Class A?
State law does not require a California Food Handler Card for Class A. Many counties expect one, so ask your local enforcement agency.
What is the Class A income limit?
The base limit is $75,000, adjusted for inflation to roughly $88,000 in 2026.
What foods can I sell under Class A?
Non-potentially hazardous foods that comply with the Approved Cottage Food List maintained by the California Department of Public Health.
Do I have to register before I sell?
Yes. A Class A operation shall not be open for business unless it is registered with the local enforcement agency and has submitted a completed self-certification checklist.
What is the difference between Class A and Class B?
Class A is direct-to-consumer only. Class B adds indirect sales through stores and restaurants.
Sources
General information, not legal advice. Confirm the current rules with your local enforcement agency before you sell.