Cottage Food Operations: Berkeley vs Castro Valley
How do cottage food operations rules compare between Berkeley, CA and Castro Valley, CA?
Berkeley and Castro Valley have similar restriction levels.
Berkeley, CA
Alameda County
Berkeley permits Cottage Food Operations under CA AB 1616/AB 1240. Class A direct sales need registration with Alameda County; Class B indirect sales need a permit and home inspection.
View full Berkeley rules →Castro Valley, CA
Alameda County
Cottage Food Operations are governed by state law (AB 1616 as amended by AB 1240) and registered or permitted through Alameda County Environmental Health; Class A registers, Class B is permitted and inspected.
View full Castro Valley rules →Key Facts Comparison
| Fact | Berkeley | Castro Valley |
|---|---|---|
| Class A | Direct sales, register only | Direct sales only; registration with Env. Health |
| Class B | Indirect, needs inspection | Indirect sales allowed; permit plus inspection |
| Revenue cap | 75,000 dollars/year | - |
| Also required | HOP + business license | - |
| County contact | (510) 567-6700 | - |
| State law | - | AB 1616 / AB 1240 California Homemade Food Act |
| Approved foods only | - | State Approved Food List (non-PHF) |
| Training | - | Food processor course within 3 months |
Highlighted rows indicate differences between cities.
Berkeley FAQ
Can I sell homemade tamales under cottage food?
No. Tamales contain meat and fillings classified as potentially hazardous - they are not on the CDPH approved cottage food list. Selling them requires MEHKO (if available) or a commercial kitchen.
Do I need Berkeley approval if I am already registered with the county?
Yes. You still need a Berkeley Home Occupation Permit under BMC 23.306 and a city Business License. The county handles food safety; the city handles zoning and business registration.
Castro Valley FAQ
Can Alameda County ban home-based food sales?
No. State law preempts most local bans; counties may only impose reasonable standards such as zoning consistency and complaint response.
What about hot meals?
Hot prepared meals fall under the Microenterprise Home Kitchen Operation (MEHKO) program under AB 626, which is separate from CFO.
Compare other topics
See how Berkeley and Castro Valley compare on other ordinance categories.
Want to add a third city?
Use our full comparison tool to compare up to three cities.
Open Comparison Tool