New California Cottage Food Laws: What Home Bakers Need

On this page

1. What you need before you open
2. Which foods are allowed
3. Keep your kitchen and your work window clean
4. A simple way to get ready

You can see how other home bakers check their state rules in our guides to Arkansas cottage food laws and Arizona cottage food laws.

What you need before you open

The California Homemade Food Act sets the rules in Health and Safety Code sections 113758 and 114365, as updated by AB 1144. A Class A cottage food operation may not open for business unless it is registered with the local enforcement agency and has submitted a completed registration form. The California Department of Public Health does not permit or register cottage food operations. It does maintain the approved list of cottage food products. The Cottage Food Bill allows Californians to prepare approved non-potentially hazardous food products at home for direct or indirect sales, provided operators adhere to health requirements.

Which foods are allowed

Cottage food products are foods allowed in the cottage food operation program that are non-potentially hazardous and must comply with the Approved Cottage Food List maintained by the California Department of Public Health. The Cottage Food Bill allows Californians to prepare approved non-potentially hazardous food products at home for direct or indirect sales, provided operators adhere to health requirements. As of April 2025, cottage food products made with meringue powder, powdered eggs, or pasteurized eggs are allowed, with no additional ingredients permitted.

Keep your kitchen and your work window clean

All food contact surfaces, equipment, and utensils used for preparing, packaging, or handling cottage food products must be washed, rinsed, and sanitized before each use. No cottage food preparation, packaging, or handling may occur in the home kitchen at the same time as other domestic activities such as family meal preparation, dishwashing, or laundry.

A simple way to get ready

1. 1

   Check the Approved Cottage Food List

   Start with the list maintained by the California Department of Public Health. Your bakes must be non-potentially hazardous and must comply with that list.

2. 2

   Register as a Class A operation

   Register with your local enforcement agency and submit a completed registration form before you open for business.

3. 3

   Set up a clean work window

   Wash, rinse, and sanitize food contact surfaces, equipment, and utensils before each use. Keep cottage food prep, packaging, and handling separate from family meals, dishwashing, and laundry.

When your kitchen window is clear and your registration is in place, the next step is to price your bakes with your real costs. A clear price helps you take orders with confidence and get paid without guessing.

Common questions

Do I register with the state or with my local agency?

A Class A cottage food operation registers with the local enforcement agency and submits a completed registration form. The California Department of Public Health does not permit or register cottage food operations.

Can I use meringue powder or pasteurized eggs in my bakes?

Yes. As of April 2025, cottage food products made with meringue powder, powdered eggs, or pasteurized eggs are allowed, with no additional ingredients permitted.

Can I prep cottage food while I make dinner?

No. No cottage food preparation, packaging, or handling may occur in the home kitchen at the same time as other domestic activities such as family meal preparation, dishwashing, or laundry.

Where do I find the foods I am allowed to make?

The California Department of Public Health maintains the Approved Cottage Food List. Cottage food products must be non-potentially hazardous and must comply with that list.

Sources

1. California cottage food laws, The Craft Map
2. California Health and Safety Code section 114365, Justia
3. California Health and Safety Code section 114365, California Public Law
4. California Health and Safety Code section 114365, FindLaw
5. CDPH Cottage Food Operations
6. CDPH Cottage Food Operation Requirements
7. Alameda County Cottage Food Operation
8. Mono County Cottage Food Operations

General information, not legal advice. Check with your local enforcement agency and the California Department of Public Health for the rules that apply to you.