Sell food you make at home

You can only make food from home that you sell to others if it is on the state's approved food list.

When you apply for your permit, you will be asked for:

• What food you will make  
  • View the list of approved "cottage" foods in California.
• Where, when, and how you will make it
• Every ingredient in the recipe
• Written Operation Procedures for EACH recipe you are submitting. Please note, a maximum of 8 recipes may be submitted.
  • Written Operational Procedures for Cottage Food Operation

Get your food safety certification online after taking a course and test.

• At least 1 person has to be certified as a food safety manager.
• Almost all others who work with food should get a food handler card.

Review food handling requirements

You will need to submit the following:

• Drawing of a floor plan of your space on 8.5-inch by 11-inch paper that shows:
  • Living areas
  • Kitchen, food preparation, and food storage areas
  • Square footage of kitchen space
  • Total square footage of living space
• Written Operational Procedures for each product you make and sell
• Product Label with appropriate information for EACH recipe you are submitting
  • Example Label for Cottage Food Operation

There are two different types of Cottage Food Permits, depending on how you sell your food and how much revenue you make:

• Class A Cottage Food Permit: allows you to sell directly to individual customers. Sales are limited to $75,000 per year.
• Class B Cottage Food Permit: allows you to sell directly to people and to retail locations (markets, bakeries, restaurants). Sales are limited to $150,000 per year.

You will be asked to submit the following along with your application:

• Written Operational Procedures
• Proposed Food Label(s)
• California Food Handler's Certification
• Copy of Government-issued Photo ID (e.g. Driver's License, Passport)
• Floor Plan
• Declaration of safe and healthy working conditions

Apply for a Cottage Food Permit