Resources to Start a Cottage Food Business
- Read our Post: SIMPLE STEPS TO STARTING a Cottage Food Operation (CFO)
- Under Categories on the Left, click “Starting A Business” to see other posts on getting started
- FLOW CHART for starting a CA Cottage Food business
- Links to business license information by town (Note: Different towns may refer to the license by different names. For instance, San Diego refers to it as a Tax Certificate but in Encinitas it is part of the Registry.)
- Look up business names
- File a fictitious business name
Forms/Permits
- Under Categories on the Left, click “Permits” to see earlier posts
- San Diego Dept. Environmental Health dedicated Cottage Food site
- San Diego County Cottage Food Application Form for both Class A and B Permits
- Self-Inspection Checklist – San Diego (for Class A permit) -OR- Public Health Permit Application-San Diego (for Class B permit)
- Click here to Get a Food Handler’s card ONLINE (see link at bottom of that page) -OR- Attend classroom training for a Food Handler’s card
- San Diego County TFF Permit (needed to provide samples at farmer’s markets, events, etc.)
- Water/Sewer Districts of San Diego County; Potable Water Requirements for CFOs not on public water systems, and Water Testing labs.
General Info on Cottage Food
- Read the bill – AB 1616
- List of CA approved foods
- San Diego Label Requirements
- California Department of Public Health – Cottage Food information
- San Diego Dept of Environmental Health Cottage Food site OR FAQs
14 comments
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Cristina Dagdagan
December 18, 2013 at 9:49 am (UTC -8) Link to this comment
I’m planning on selling my Adobo Marinade Sauce at Farmer’s Market here in Oceanside. Will that be a taxable or non-taxable item? Also, my Adobo Sauce is canning and does not need refrigeration. Can that be considered under the Cottage Food category?
Cottagefoods
December 18, 2013 at 10:24 am (UTC -8) Link to this comment
Canned items are not permitted under the Cottage Food Law but require a special license/permit from the Health Department and must be done in an inspected kitchen. Check with your Farmer’s Market Manager to see what would be required on their part and if they have an opening for you. Food is generally non-taxable in CA unless it is prepared to be consumed on site.
vianey
April 23, 2014 at 1:23 pm (UTC -8) Link to this comment
I’m planning to make cakes in my home per order for example weddings, quickness etc. Can this be ok and qualified for cottage food license?
Cottagefoods
April 23, 2014 at 4:16 pm (UTC -8) Link to this comment
Yes, cakes are permitted foods under the cottage food permit; however, you will need to make sure your frostings or icings can be approved, too. Some are permissable, some not. See our post on Frostings
David
February 17, 2015 at 4:36 am (UTC -8) Link to this comment
Please ask the webmaster to update this page to either include the words for the acronym CFO or have him please remove CFO.
I can guess what the acronym stands for yet I can not find the words on this page http://sdcottagefoods.com/resources/.
Maybe is CFO was changed to CFB (Cottage Food Business) all work be as it should be.
Thank you,
David
Cottagefoods
February 17, 2015 at 12:26 pm (UTC -8) Link to this comment
Thank you. We have defined the term CFO on the page as Cottage Food Operation. Note though that some people also use CFO to mean Cottage Food Operator.
tasty creations
May 24, 2015 at 8:35 pm (UTC -8) Link to this comment
what about home made salsa and enchalada sauce.
who can pack it !
W want to get in in a store
Cottagefoods
May 25, 2015 at 4:44 pm (UTC -8) Link to this comment
Salsas and sauces are NOT on the CA approved list for Cottage Foods. You would need to rent a commercial kitchen which is licensed for canning.
AURELIO
May 30, 2015 at 12:08 pm (UTC -8) Link to this comment
Hello, I want to sell Birria de res tacos a Beef stew like Mexican dish I want to sell it at fare booths and also in weddings or birthday parties at the park or customers yard but don’t know how to start . Will it qualify for Cottage food category? if not what what should be my next step. Thanks.
Cottagefoods
July 11, 2017 at 6:49 am (UTC -8) Link to this comment
No meat products are on their CA approves cottage food list. Contact your county health department for appropriate permits.
Summer King
July 9, 2015 at 3:31 pm (UTC -8) Link to this comment
Are Tamales included in the cottage food license? Lumpia, And pancid?
Cottagefoods
July 9, 2015 at 4:26 pm (UTC -8) Link to this comment
FRUIT tamales are approved, but not lumpia or pancid.
julie aston
May 16, 2016 at 4:34 pm (UTC -8) Link to this comment
A friend and myself would like to be partners in a cottage food business using my kitchen. You are allowed one “employee” … however is it possible to structure business as 2 equal partners??
Also, would a Bar that includes nut butters and dried fruit but are not cooked and need to be refrigerated because of nut butters be approved???
Mark Baranowski
March 12, 2017 at 5:05 am (UTC -8) Link to this comment
Food Handler ANSI Training only $7.00!