Cottage food rules
California Cottage Food Laws: What Home Bakers Need
Know what California asks of a home baker before you take your first paid order.
On this page
What to remember
- The California Department of Public Health does not permit or register Cottage Food Operations, but it maintains the Approved Cottage Food List.
- Cottage food products must be non-potentially hazardous and must comply with that approved list.
- California’s program is split into two classes.
- A Class A operation cannot open for business until it is registered with the local enforcement agency and has submitted a completed application.
- Food contact surfaces, equipment, and utensils must be washed, rinsed, and sanitized before each use.
If you bake from home and want to take paid orders, the rules are not one big yes or no. Start with the food list, then sort out your class and registration, then set up your kitchen so you can work cleanly. The step by step application guide can help you line up the registration part before you announce a menu.
What California lets you sell
California’s cottage food products must be non-potentially hazardous and must comply with the Approved Cottage Food List maintained by the California Department of Public Health. The department does not permit or register Cottage Food Operations, but it does maintain that list. Check the list before you plan a menu, because the rules tie allowed products to that list.
The two classes and Class A registration
California’s cottage food program is split into two classes. A Class A cottage food operation shall not be open for business unless it is registered with the local enforcement agency and has submitted a completed application. That makes your local office the place to start for Class A, even though the state health department keeps the food list. If you are also weighing a home bakery license, read license to sell baked goods from home so you do not mix up the two paths.
Kitchen rules for a cottage food bake
The law is specific about how you work in your home kitchen. All food contact surfaces, equipment, and utensils used for preparation, packaging, or handling of cottage food products shall be washed, rinsed, and sanitized before each use. A person involved in the preparation or packaging of cottage food products shall keep their hands and exposed portions of their arms clean and shall wash their hands before any food preparation. No cottage food preparation, packaging, or handling may occur in the home kitchen concurrent with any other domestic activities, such as family meal preparation, dishwashing, or clothes washing.
A cottage food operation that is registered or has a permit issued under Section 114365 is considered a restricted food service facility for purposes of Sections 113953.3 and related provisions. If you are comparing costs before you register, see how much a home bakery license costs and how to get a home bakery license so you can plan the money side without guessing.
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Common questions
Do I need a permit from the California Department of Public Health?
The California Department of Public Health does not permit or register Cottage Food Operations. It maintains the Approved Cottage Food List, and a Class A operation registers with the local enforcement agency and submits a completed application before it opens for business.
What foods can I sell as a cottage food operation?
Cottage food products must be non-potentially hazardous and must comply with the Approved Cottage Food List maintained by the California Department of Public Health.
Can I bake while I make family dinner?
No. No cottage food preparation, packaging, or handling may occur in the home kitchen concurrent with other domestic activities, such as family meal preparation, dishwashing, or clothes washing.
What cleaning steps does the law require?
All food contact surfaces, equipment, and utensils used for preparation, packaging, or handling must be washed, rinsed, and sanitized before each use. A person involved in preparation or packaging must keep their hands and exposed portions of their arms clean and wash their hands before any food preparation.
How does California classify a registered cottage food operation?
A cottage food operation that is registered or has a permit issued under Section 114365 is considered a restricted food service facility for purposes of Sections 113953.3 and related provisions.
Sources
- California Department of Public Health: Cottage Food Operations
- California Department of Public Health: CFO Requirements
- Food Handler Cert: California Cottage Food
- Justia: California Health and Safety Code Section 114365
- California Public Law: Health and Safety Code Section 114365
- California Public Law: Health and Safety Code Section 114365.2
- FindLaw: California Health and Safety Code Section 114365
- Justia: California Health and Safety Code Section 114365.2
This is general information, not legal advice. Check the current Approved Cottage Food List from the California Department of Public Health and confirm registration details with your local enforcement agency before you sell.