Carmichael's Home Business: The Rules That Matter

Every city handles home business a little differently. In Carmichael, California, there are 2 distinct rules that residents and property owners should be aware of. Some are stricter than what neighboring cities enforce, and others are more relaxed. Here is what you need to know.

Cottage Food Operations

Carmichael residents may operate a California Cottage Food Operation (CFO) under state Cottage Food Law (AB 1616, AB 1144) producing approved non-hazardous foods at home. Class A (direct sales, up to $150,000/year) requires registration with Sacramento County Environmental Management; Class B (indirect sales) requires a permit and home kitchen inspection.

Key details: Class A Sales Cap: $150,000/year. Class A Fee: ~$124 (registration only). Class B Fee: ~$224 (permit + annual inspection). MEHKO Permitted: Yes (Sac County opted in). Regulator: Sacramento County EMD.

Operating an unpermitted CFO: misdemeanor under H&SC §113789 - up to $1,000 fine. Sacramento County EMD enforces with cease-and-desist orders for unregistered operations. Selling outside the approved-foods list voids the CFO classification and may trigger broader food-facility-licensing requirements.

Home Occupation Permits

Carmichael home businesses require a Sacramento County General Business License under SCC §4.06 plus compliance with Zoning Code §3.9 Home Occupation Standards. Operations must be incidental to residential use, with no on-site employees and no customer traffic.

Key details: Code Sections: SCC §4.06 + Zoning §3.9. On-Site Employees: None (occupants only). Operating Hours: 7 a.m. - 9 p.m.. Part-Time Cap: 32 hrs/wk, 8 hrs/day. Customer Trips Cap: 2 / day.

Operating without a Business License: misdemeanor under SCC §4.06 - up to $1,000 fine. Zoning violations of §3.9: administrative citations $100/$200/$500 escalating. Repeat violations can result in cease-and-desist orders.

The Bottom Line

Carmichael's home business rules are a mixed bag. Some areas are strict, others are relaxed, and the details matter. The best approach is to check the specific rule that applies to your situation rather than assuming Carmichael is broadly strict or permissive.

Keep in mind that Carmichael can amend these rules at any council meeting. For the most current version of any rule mentioned here, check the specific ordinance page, where we track updates as they happen.