California cottage food laws
A plain-language summary of what California's cottage food law lets home bakers make, where you can sell it, and what the state asks of you. Always confirm the specifics with the official sources linked below.
- License / registration
- Required
- Where you can sell
- Direct, online
- Labeling
- Required
What can I sell under California's cottage food law?
Cottage food programs cover foods that are safe at room temperature. In California, that generally includes:
- Non-hazardous baked goods (without cream, custard, or meat fillings)
- Candy and confections
- Jams, jellies, preserves, and fruit butters
- Dried fruit, granola, and dry baking mixes
- Roasted coffee, dried tea, and dried herbs
What can't I sell?
Foods that need refrigeration to stay safe are almost always off limits. Common examples that fall outside California's program:
- Cream, custard, or meat-filled baked goods
- Foods requiring refrigeration
- Home-canned low-acid vegetables
Do I need a license in California?
Register (Class A, direct sales) or get a permit (Class B, indirect sales) with your county environmental health department, and complete an approved food processor course.
Sales cap: Gross annual cap for a cottage food operation. Verify the current figure and Class A vs. Class B rules with your county; this is a summary.
Where can I sell in California?
- Class A: direct to consumers in California
- Class B: also to in-state shops and restaurants that sell direct to consumers
- In-person, in-state sales (no shipping out of state)
How do I label cottage foods in California?
Label must include the words “Made in a Home Kitchen,” the operation's name and registration/permit number, product name, ingredients, allergens, and net quantity.
Official sources
Last reviewed July 2026.
Not legal advice. This guide is a summary for convenience, not legal advice. Cottage food rules change, and the details here may be out of date. Always confirm the current requirements with California's California CDPH: Cottage Food Operations before you make or sell anything.
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