How much can a cottage food business make in California?

California limits cottage food operations to $75,000/yr (Class A & B); $100,000/yr for MEHKO in gross annual sales.

Can you sell homemade baked goods online in California?

Online sales: Limited. Shipping: Not allowed. Approved venues include Direct to consumer, Farmers markets, Retail (Class B only), Local delivery.

California Cottage Food Laws

Q: Do you need a permit to sell baked goods from home in California?

County permit required (Class A or Class B). California is the state where people most often get tripped up: you apply at the county level, and a Class A permit does not let you sell into coffee shops or boutiques. You need Class B for that.

California is the state where people most often get tripped up: you apply at the county level, and a Class A permit does not let you sell into coffee shops or boutiques. You need Class B for that.

Fast facts

Permit: County permit required (Class A or Class B)
Annual sales cap: $75,000/yr (Class A & B); $100,000/yr for MEHKO
Online sales: Limited
Shipping: Not allowed

What makes California different

Class A = direct sales only, self-certification; Class B = indirect/wholesale, requires a kitchen inspection
Permits are issued by your county, not the state, so fees and forms vary a lot
A separate MEHKO permit covers actual home restaurants in participating counties

Where you can sell in California

Direct to consumer
Farmers markets
Retail (Class B only)
Local delivery

What you can and can't make

California follows the standard cottage food logic: shelf-stable items are in, anything needing refrigeration is out. Check the California Department of Public Health / county environmental health product list for state-specific exceptions.

Generally allowed

Breads, rolls, biscuits and buns
Cakes, cupcakes and brownies (without cream-cheese or custard fillings)
Cookies, bars and biscotti
Fruit pies and fruit-filled pastries
Candy, brittle, fudge and chocolate-covered items
Dry mixes, granola, popcorn and roasted nuts
Jams, jellies and preserves made from high-acid fruit

Generally prohibited

Cheesecake and cream-cheese frostings or fillings
Custard, meringue, pudding and Bavarian-cream pies
Anything containing meat, poultry or seafood
Fresh-dairy items, ice cream and buttercream that requires refrigeration
Canned vegetables, salsas and other low-acid canned goods
Garlic-in-oil, pickled goods and fermented foods (in most states)
Kombucha, juices and other beverages requiring a process authority

California labeling requirements

The name and physical address of your home kitchen business
The common name of the product
A full ingredient list in descending order by weight
Allergen declaration for the major allergens (milk, eggs, wheat, soy, peanuts, tree nuts, fish, shellfish, sesame)
Net weight or volume
A cottage food disclosure such as "Made in a home kitchen that is not subject to routine state inspection"

Official source for California

California Department of Public Health / county environmental health administers cottage food rules in California.

Last verified: July 25, 2026

Visit California Department of Public Health / county environmental health

Not legal advice. This summary is for general education. Confirm with California Department of Public Health / county environmental health before you start selling.