Sell from home — California
Only foods on the CDPH approved cottage foods list: baked goods without custard/cream/meat fillings, candy, dried fruit, chocolate-covered nonperishables, fruit pies/empanadas, granola/cereals/trail mixes, herb blends, honey and sweet sorghum syrup, jams/jellies/preserves/fruit butters meeting the federal standard, nut mixes and nut butters, dried pasta, popcorn, vinegar and mustard, roasted coffee and dried tea, waffle cones and pizzelles. Class A = direct sales only; Class B = direct plus indirect sales through retailers.
The short answer: under the California Cottage Food Operation (CFO) — Homemade Food Act, home sellers in California face a split rule: most foods are open, but temperature-controlled (TCS) foods need a state registration first. The sales cap is $88,878. Full detail below — then run your exact food through the checker.
| Question | California's rule |
|---|---|
| Framework | California Cottage Food Operation (CFO) — Homemade Food Act (Cal. Health & Safety Code § 113758, § 114365 et seq. (AB 1616; AB 1144)) |
| Sales cap | $88,878 gross — adjusted for inflation |
| Permit class | Varies — see notes |
| Permit fee | Class A requires county registration (self-certification, no inspection); Class B requires a county permit and annual inspection. Fees are set by county/city and vary — no single statewide fee exists, so permit_fee_usd is null. |
| Issued by | County |
| Training | Accredited food processor / food handler course within three months of registering, renewed every three years (Health & Safety Code § 114365.2(d)). |
| Shipping | In-state only |
Baked goods, Jams, jellies and preserves, Candy and confections, Dried herbs, spices and dry mixes, Honey and syrups, Coffee and dry beverages.
Not covered: Any food not on the CDPH approved list; TCS/refrigerated foods, custard/cream/meat-filled baked goods, and perishable foods (those require a MEHKO permit where available, or a commercial permit).
Your labels must carry: Name and address of the CFO, product name, ingredients, allergens, net weight, county/permit information for Class B, and the home-kitchen statement.. Required disclosure wording: "Made in a Home Kitchen".
| Channel | Allowed? |
|---|---|
| Direct / in person | Yes |
| Farmers markets | Yes |
| Online, in-state | Yes |
| Mail / shipped | Yes |
| Wholesale to shops | Yes |
| Retail shelves | Yes |
California bonus door — MEHKO: in counties that opted in, a MEHKO permit lets you run a true home restaurant (hot meals, diners at your table). See the MEHKO county tracker.
Don't read the table — run your verdict. Your food × your channel, computed against this exact framework.
California, every door: California hub · sell from home in California · California restaurant permits · California liquor license · what it costs · your Opening Map
Included in the $49 Opening Pack: the filled templates, trackers, calendars and worksheets for this door — built from the same dated datasets as the free checker above.
Yes: varies under the California Cottage Food Operation (CFO) — Homemade Food Act, issued by county.
The cap is $88,878. Past it, the next doors are a shared kitchen or your own permitted space — both mapped on this site.
Sources: California Department of Public Health (CDPH) — CFO adjusted sales limits 2026 and approved foods list — Cal. Health & Safety Code § 113758, § 114365 et seq. (AB 1616; AB 1144). This row was verified against the primary source named below.. Dataset checked October 23, 2026. Where a fee or rule is set by a county or city, this page says so instead of guessing a number.