Cottage Food Operations: Bonsall vs San Diego
How do cottage food operations rules compare between Bonsall, CA and San Diego, CA?
Bonsall has fewer restrictions than San Diego.
Bonsall, CA
San Diego County
Cottage food operations are permitted in unincorporated San Diego County under California's Cottage Food Law (AB 1616 / Health & Safety Code §113758). Class A permits allow direct-to-consumer sales from home. Class B permits allow indirect sales (farmers markets, stores). Annual revenue cap of $75,000.
View full Bonsall rules →San Diego, CA
San Diego County
Cottage food operations in San Diego require a permit from the San Diego County Department of Environmental Health. Under California's Cottage Food Law (AB 1616/AB 1147), Class A operators sell directly to consumers from their home, while Class B operators may sell at farmers markets, through third-party retailers, and online. Occasional transport of goods for off-site sale is permitted. Internet sales are not considered on-premise sales.
View full San Diego rules →Key Facts Comparison
| Fact | Bonsall | San Diego |
|---|---|---|
| Class A | Direct sales from home — registration required | Direct sales from home to consumer |
| Class B | Indirect sales — DEHQ permit + inspection | Farmers markets, retail, online sales permitted |
| Revenue Cap | $75,000 annual gross | $75,000/year (Class B) per CA law |
| State Law | H&S Code §113758 (AB 1616) | CA HSC §§113758, 114365 (Cottage Food Law) |
| Authority | County DEHQ | - |
| Permit | - | County Department of Environmental Health permit required |
Highlighted rows indicate differences between cities.
Bonsall FAQ
Can I sell baked goods from my home in San Diego County?
Yes. Under California's Cottage Food Law, you can produce and sell certain shelf-stable foods from your home kitchen. Class A registration allows direct-to-consumer sales; Class B permits allow sales through stores and farmers markets.
How do I get a cottage food permit?
Register with the San Diego County Department of Environmental Health and Quality. Class A operations require registration. Class B operations require a permit and annual kitchen inspection.
What foods can I sell as a cottage food operation?
Approved items include baked goods, candies, jams, dried fruits, nuts, granola, honey, and other non-potentially-hazardous, shelf-stable foods. You cannot sell foods requiring refrigeration like dairy, meat, or fresh salads.
San Diego FAQ
Do I need a commercial kitchen to sell baked goods from home?
No. California's Cottage Food Law allows approved non-potentially-hazardous foods to be prepared in a home kitchen with a cottage food permit from the County DEH.
Can I sell cottage food online?
Class B cottage food operators may sell online. Internet sales are not considered on-premise sales under San Diego's municipal code.
Compare other topics
See how Bonsall and San Diego 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