California Cottage Food Law 2026: Class A, Class B, Sales Caps

California's cottage food law, part of the California Retail Food Code, lets a person make approved foods that are not potentially hazardous in a private home and sell them as a cottage food operation, or CFO. A Class A CFO registers with the county and may sell only directly to consumers. A Class B CFO gets a county permit and may also sell through restaurants, shops and other permitted retailers. Both classes may sell throughout California and fill orders in person, by mail or through a delivery service. For 2026, the sales caps are $88,878 for Class A and $177,756 for Class B. This guide covers what you can sell, how you can sell, labeling and when you need a commercial permit instead.

Disclaimer: This page is general information, not legal advice. Laws change, and local zoning, HOA and tax rules vary. Confirm current requirements with your county environmental health department, the California Department of Public Health or an attorney before you start selling.

Quick facts

There are two classes. Class A may make only direct sales. Class B may make direct and indirect sales. CDPH Cottage Food Operation Requirements; HSC 114365
2026 sales caps: $88,878 for Class A and $177,756 for Class B in verifiable gross annual sales. The caps are adjusted each year for inflation. CDPH 2026 Adjusted Gross Annual Sales Limit; HSC 113758
Register (Class A) or get a permit (Class B) from your county environmental health department. CDPH does not register or permit CFOs. CDPH Cottage Food Operations
Only foods on the Approved Cottage Foods List may be sold. CDPH Approved Cottage Foods List
Sales must be within California. Orders may be filled in person, by mail or through a third-party delivery service. CDPH Cottage Food Operation Requirements; HSC 113758(b)(4), (5)

What the law calls it

California uses "cottage food operation," or CFO, "cottage food products," "Class A" and "Class B." The local agency that registers and permits CFOs is the local enforcement agency, usually the county environmental health department. CDPH Cottage Food Operation Requirements

Foods you can sell

Only foods on CDPH's Approved Cottage Foods List. The list includes baked goods without cream, custard or meat fillings; candy and confections; certain alcohol-based extracts; dried, dehydrated and freeze-dried foods; frostings and icings without eggs, cream or cream cheese; pure honey and sorghum syrups; fruit butters, preserves, jams and jellies that meet 21 CFR Part 150; roasted or pasteurized nuts and nut butters; powdered beverage mixes; and vinegars and mustards. CDPH Approved Cottage Foods List
CDPH may add or remove foods. A notice to add chocolate and nut spread took comments through Oct. 1, 2026, and CDPH says the new list will be posted on or about Nov. 16, 2026. CDPH Notice to Amend the Approved Cottage Food List

Foods you cannot sell

Anything not on the approved list, including foods that need refrigeration. CDPH Approved Cottage Foods List
CDPH's FAQs say salsa, pickles, hot sauce, other canned low-acid or acidified foods, pepper jelly and custard pies such as pumpkin or sweet potato are not approved cottage foods. CDPH Cottage Food FAQs

Sales limit

Class A: $88,878 in 2026. Class B: $177,756 in 2026. The statutory base is $75,000 and $150,000, adjusted each year by the California Consumer Price Index. CDPH 2026 Adjusted Gross Annual Sales Limit; HSC 113758

Registration, permits and training

Class A: register with the local enforcement agency and submit a self-certification checklist. CDPH Cottage Food Operation Requirements; HSC 114365
Class B: get a permit from the local enforcement agency after an initial inspection. CDPH Cottage Food Operation Requirements; HSC 114365
Registrations and permits must be renewed every year. A registration or permit from one county is enough to operate throughout the state. CDPH AB 1144 Fact Sheet; HSC 114365(b)(3), (4)
Complete cottage food operator training within three months of registration or permitting. CDPH Cottage Food Operations
Fees are set by each county. Ask your county environmental health department. CDPH Cottage Food Operations

Where and how you can sell

Direct sales (Class A and B): a transaction within the state between the CFO and the consumer, including holiday bazaars, bake sales, farm stands, certified farmers markets, CSA subscriptions, in-person sales at the CFO and orders by phone, internet or other digital method. CDPH Cottage Food Operation Requirements; HSC 113758(b)(4)
Indirect sales (Class B only): a transaction within the state through a permitted third-party retailer, such as a retail shop or a restaurant. CDPH Cottage Food Operation Requirements; HSC 113758(b)(5)
Online: allowed. Direct sales include transactions made via the phone, internet and any other digital method. CDPH Cottage Food Operation Requirements
Mail and delivery: a direct or indirect sale may be fulfilled in person, via mail delivery or using any other third-party delivery service. CDPH Cottage Food Operation Requirements
Shipping to other states: CDPH defines direct and indirect sales as transactions within the state. Out-of-state sales are not covered. CDPH Cottage Food Operation Requirements; HSC 113758(b)(4), (5)
Wholesale: Class B may sell through permitted third-party retailers. Class A may not. CDPH Cottage Food Operation Requirements

Labeling rules

Labels must show the product's common name; the CFO's name, city and ZIP code; "Made in a Home Kitchen" or "Repackaged in a Home Kitchen" in 12-point type on the principal display panel; the registration or permit number and the issuing county; ingredients in descending order by weight; net quantity in English and metric units; and major food allergens. CDPH Cottage Food Labeling Requirements
When a cottage food is served unpackaged in a retail food facility or used as an ingredient there, the customer must be told it was made in a CFO home kitchen. CDPH Cottage Food Labeling Requirements

Zoning, HOAs and local rules

CFOs register or are permitted at the local level. Check your city or county business license and zoning rules too. CDPH Cottage Food Operations
Check your HOA documents, since the state does not review private covenants.

Inspections

CDPH says no preparation, packaging or handling may occur while other domestic activities are going on in the kitchen, and infants, small children and pets must stay out during production. CDPH Cottage Food Operation Requirements
Class A operations are not subject to routine inspection. Class B operations get an initial inspection and no more than one inspection a year, and the agency may enter the permitted area on a complaint. CDPH AB 1144 Fact Sheet; HSC 114365

When you need a commercial permit instead

Foods not on the approved list, sales above your class's cap, out-of-state sales or Class A sales through stores or restaurants require a different permit or class. Contact your county environmental health department. CDPH Cottage Food Operation Requirements; CDPH 2026 Adjusted Gross Annual Sales Limit

Timeline

Jan. 1, 2022: AB 1144 (Stats. 2021, Ch. 178) took effect, raising the caps to $75,000 (Class A) and $150,000 (Class B), adding inflation adjustments, allowing mail and third-party delivery and allowing statewide sales. CDPH AB 1144 Fact Sheet; HSC 113758; HSC 114365
Jan. 1, 2026: the caps rose to $88,878 (Class A) and $177,756 (Class B). CDPH 2026 Adjusted Gross Annual Sales Limit
Nov. 16, 2026 (about): CDPH plans to post an updated Approved Cottage Foods List. CDPH Notice to Amend the Approved Cottage Food List
Oct. 13, 2026: this page was last reviewed against CDPH guidance.

Frequently asked questions

What is the difference between Class A and Class B in California?

Class A may sell only directly to consumers. Class B may also sell through permitted retailers such as shops and restaurants. Source: CDPH Cottage Food Operation Requirements.

What is the 2026 sales cap for a California cottage food operation?

$88,878 for Class A and $177,756 for Class B. Sources: CDPH 2026 Adjusted Gross Annual Sales Limit; HSC 113758.

Where do I register a cottage food operation in California?

With your county environmental health department. CDPH does not register or permit CFOs. Source: CDPH Cottage Food Operations.

Can I sell cottage food online in California?

Yes. Direct sales include orders by phone, internet or other digital method. Source: CDPH Cottage Food Operation Requirements.

Can I mail cottage food in California?

Yes, within California. Sales may be fulfilled in person, by mail or through a third-party delivery service. Source: CDPH Cottage Food Operation Requirements.

Can I ship cottage food to other states from California?

No. The law defines direct and indirect sales as transactions within the state. Sources: HSC 113758(b)(4), (5); CDPH Cottage Food Operation Requirements.

Can I sell cottage food to restaurants or stores in California?

Only with a Class B permit. Class A operations may make direct sales only. Source: CDPH Cottage Food Operation Requirements.

Can I sell salsa or pickles under California's cottage food law?

No. CDPH says salsa, pickles, hot sauce and other canned foods are not approved cottage foods. Source: CDPH Cottage Food FAQs.

Do I need training to run a cottage food operation in California?

Yes. Complete cottage food operator training within three months of registration or permitting. Source: CDPH Cottage Food Operations.

What must a California cottage food label say?

It must include "Made in a Home Kitchen" in 12-point type, the registration or permit number and county, ingredients, net quantity and allergens. Source: CDPH Cottage Food Labeling Requirements.

Official sources

This page is general information, not legal advice. Laws change, and local zoning, HOA and tax rules vary. Confirm current requirements with your county environmental health department, the California Department of Public Health or an attorney before you start selling.

California Cottage Food Laws