California: Unattended honesty stand?

Not addressed. The law doesn't mention self-serve stands. Ask your county.

California: Sign up with the state?

Yes. Class A registers, Class B gets a permit. Both through your county.

California: Food safety class?

Yes. Within three months of signing up.

California: Kitchen inspection?

Sometimes. Class B: up to once a year. Class A: only after a complaint.

California: Yearly sales limit

Class A: $88,878 · Class B: $177,756. For 2026. Both rise with inflation every January.

California: Foods that need a fridge?

No. Only foods on the state's approved list.

California: Ship or mail orders?

Yes. By mail or a delivery service.

Cottage food law

California cottage food law

California lets you sell foods from the state's approved list, made in your home kitchen. Class A sells straight to customers, up to $88,878 in 2026. Class B can also sell through shops and restaurants, up to $177,756.

Checked against the law October 20, 2026

The rules at a glance

Cottage Food Operation (Class A or Class B)

Unattended honesty stand?
Not addressed
The law doesn't mention self-serve stands. Ask your county.
Sign up with the state?
Yes
Class A registers, Class B gets a permit. Both through your county.
Source
- Registering or obtaining a permit from your local Environmental Health DepartmentCalifornia Department of Public Health: Cottage Food Operations
Food safety class?
Yes
Within three months of signing up.
Source
- Completing a Cottage Food Operator Training within three months of registration/permittingCalifornia Department of Public Health: Cottage Food Operations
Kitchen inspection?
Sometimes
Class B: up to once a year. Class A: only after a complaint.
Source
- a "Class B" cottage food operation shall not be subject to more than one inspection per year by the local enforcement agencyCDPH: AB 1144 Fact Sheet (PDF)
- may access the permitted area of a private home where a cottage food operation is located only if the representative has, on the basis of a consumer complaint, reason to suspectCDPH: AB 1144 Fact Sheet (PDF)
Yearly sales limit
Class A: $88,878 · Class B: $177,756
For 2026. Both rise with inflation every January.
Source
- January 1, 2026 2024-2025 3.1 $88,878 $177,756CDPH: Adjusted Gross Annual Sales Limit 2026 (PDF)
Foods that need a fridge?
No
Only foods on the state's approved list.
Source
- A Cottage Food Operation can prepare and package certain non-potentially hazardous foods in a private home-kitchenCalifornia Department of Public Health: Cottage Food Operations
Take orders online?
Yes
Source
- This includes transactions made via the phone, internet, and any other digital methodCalifornia Department of Public Health: Cottage Food Operations
Ship or mail orders?
Yes
By mail or a delivery service.
Source
- A direct sale may be fulfilled in person, via mail delivery, or using any other third-party delivery serviceCalifornia Department of Public Health: Cottage Food Operations
Sell through shops?
Sometimes
Class B only.
Source
- This type of CFO can sell home-kitchen prepared foods directly to the public or indirectly through restaurants and food marketsCalifornia Department of Public Health: Cottage Food Operations

What goes on the label

Required wording

Made in a Home Kitchen

In 12-point type on the front of the label.

Source

The words "Made in a Home Kitchen" or " Repackaged in a Home Kitchen" as applicable, in 12-point type must appear on the principal display panelCDPH: Labeling Requirements for Cottage Food Products (PDF)

The label also shows

The name of the food, on the front
Your business name, city and ZIP code
Your registration or permit number, and the county that issued it
Ingredients, heaviest first
Net amount, in both ounces and grams
Major allergens

Source

The name, city, and zip code of the CFO operation which produced the cottage food productCDPH: Labeling Requirements for Cottage Food Products (PDF)
The registration or permit number of the CFO which produced the cottage food product and the name of the county of the local enforcement agency that issued the permit numberCDPH: Labeling Requirements for Cottage Food Products (PDF)
The net quantity (count, weight, or volume) of the food product, stated in both English (pound) units and metric units (grams)CDPH: Labeling Requirements for Cottage Food Products (PDF)

Before your first sale

This is general information, not legal advice. Check with your county environmental health department before you sell, and again if you add a new food or a new way of selling.

We check these sources every month and update this page when they change.

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California cottage food law

The rules at a glance

Unattended honesty stand?

Sign up with the state?

Food safety class?

Kitchen inspection?

Yearly sales limit

Foods that need a fridge?

Take orders online?

Ship or mail orders?

Sell through shops?

What goes on the label

Before your first sale