Cottage Food
What is a Cottage Food Operation?
A Cottage Food Operation (CFO) is an enterprise in a private home where specific low-risk food products, which do not require refrigeration, are prepared or repackaged for sale. A Cottage Food Operator is an individual who operates a CFO in his or her private home and is the owner of the CFO.
Cottage Food Information
Before you start the application process, please look over the Approved Food List from the California Department of Public Health (CDPH) and make sure the foods you wish to make are on this list.
Foods containing cream, custard, or meat fillings are considered potentially hazardous and are not allowed. Only foods that are defined as non-potentially hazardous are approved for preparation by a CFO. Non-potentially hazardous foods are items that do not require refrigeration to keep them safe from bacterial growth that could cause food-borne illnesses.
For some Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ's), please review the Cottage Food document.
Cottage Food Operators, their employees, or any household member that is involved in the preparation or packaging of cottage foods shall take on the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) accredited food handlers course. This is required within three months of applying for a permit.
All Cottage Foods must be properly labeled in accordance with the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act. You must complete a Label Review Form with your application that includes all labels for any food that will be prepared at your Cottage Food Facility. For more information on labeling requirements, please look through the application or visit the CDPH Cottage Food Labeling Requirements page.
Delivery and Sales Limitations
Class A Cottage Food Operations may sell their products directly to the public. This includes transactions made via the phone, internet, and any other digital method. A direct sale may be fulfilled in person, via mail delivery, or using any other third-party delivery service (within California). A Class A operator's current maximum gross annual sales are $75,000.
Class B Cottage Food Operations may sell their products directly to the public or indirectly through restaurants and food markets. A direct sale may be fulfilled in person, via mail delivery, or using any other third-party delivery service, while an indirect sale may be fulfilled in person, via mail delivery, or third-party delivery service (within California). The current gross annual sales for a Class B operator are $150,000.
Employees
Cottage Food Operations may not have more than one full-time equivalent employee working at the Cottage Food Facility. This does not include family or household members of the Cottage Food Operator.
Sewage: If your facility is on Septic and the system fails, you are required to notify this department immediately.
Water Supply: If you are on a private water supply like a well, your water must be tested by a State Certified Laboratory for bacteria, Nitrates, Nitrite and fluoride. More information can be found on the application.
Before you apply, make sure that the location of your Cottage Food Facility complies with zoning requirements. Please check your local zoning authority's (city or county) planning departments regarding applicable fees.
Application Process
Your application serves as a Permit Application.
Once you pay your fees and the Application has been reviewed and approved by an Environmental Health Specialist, your permit will be issued, and you may begin operations.
The following items are required to complete your application:
- CFO Label Review Form with attached labels.
- Agreement to Pay Form
- Pay Fee for Label Review (see fees below).
- Cottage Food Application
- Agreement to Pay Form (included).
- Pay Fee with an appropriate fee associated with Class A or B.
There are two types of Cottage Food Permits:
- Class A (Direct sales to consumer only)
- Annual Permit Fee: $238.20
- Class B (Direct sales and indirect sales to food facilities)
- Annual Permit Fee: $476.40
- Cottage Food Water System
- Annual Permit Fee: $238.20
Note: The fees above are for Environmental Health only, other fees may be required by other entities, including but not limited to Planning Departments, Fire Departments, Event Coordinators, Business Licenses, etc.
Out of County Cottage Food Operation
Out of County Cottage Food Operations that wish to operate in a Community Event are required to submit a Temporary Food Facility Application AND obtain label approval by submitting the Label Review Form and pay applicable fees.
Cottage Food Fees
| Class A (Annual Permit) | $238.20 |
| Class B (Annual Permit) | $476.40 |
| Cottage Food Water System (Annual Permit) | $238.20 |
| Label Review 1-10 Labels | $119.10 |