Cottage food laws · CA

Selling homemade food in California

California's Homemade Food Act lets you sell non-perishable 'cottage foods' from your home kitchen after registering (Class A, direct sales only) or getting a permit and passing an annual inspection (Class B, which can also sell wholesale to shops and restaurants) through your county. Both classes' gross sales caps rise each year with inflation; the 2021 statutory bases are $75,000 (Class A) and $150,000 (Class B), roughly $88,000 and $176,000 respectively as of 2026 — confirm the exact current figure with your county or CDPH.

Program

California Homemade Food Act (Cottage Food Operation)

Registration

Class A (direct-to-consumer sales only) requires self-certification registration with the county; Class B (adds indirect/wholesale sales) requires a permit and annual inspection by the county environmental health department

Annual sales cap

Class A: $75,000 statutory base (about $88,000 in 2026, adjusted for inflation); Class B: $150,000 statutory base (about $176,000 in 2026, adjusted for inflation). Exact current-year figures are set annually by CDPH via the CA Consumer Price Index

Online sales

Allowed (see notes)

You can sell

Baked goods without cream/custard/meat/vegetable fillings
Candy & chocolate
Jams, jellies & fruit preserves
Dried fruit, granola & dry baking mixes
Roasted nuts & nut butters
Popcorn & honey
Roasted coffee & dried tea
Vinegars, mustards & dried herbs/spices

You can't sell

Anything requiring refrigeration (potentially hazardous foods)
Meat, fish & dairy-based products (except dry)
Home-canned low-acid, acidified & fermented foods
Cream or custard fillings

Where you can sell

Direct in-person sales & farmers markets (Class A & B)
Online sales with in-state delivery/shipping (Class A & B)
Wholesale to retail stores & restaurants (Class B only)

Selling online

In-state online orders, delivery, and shipping are permitted for both classes; shipping outside California is not allowed under the cottage food exemption

What your labels must include

Business/operation name
County registration or permit number
Full ingredient list by weight, descending order
Allergen declaration
Net weight (US & metric)
"Made in a Home Kitchen" (or "Repackaged in a Home Kitchen") statement in 12-point type on the primary display panel