Cottage Food Operations: Camarillo vs Ventura
How do cottage food operations rules compare between Camarillo, CA and Ventura, CA?
Camarillo has fewer restrictions than Ventura.
Camarillo, CA
Ventura County
California's Cottage Food Operations law (AB 1616, HSC 113758) allows Camarillo residents to sell specified homemade food products from their home kitchens. Class A operators sell directly to consumers and require county registration. Class B operators may sell indirectly and require a county permit. A business license under CMC Title 5 is also needed.
View full Camarillo rules →Ventura, CA
Ventura County
Ventura has no separate cottage-food ordinance — operations are governed by California Health & Safety Code §113758 et seq. (Cottage Food Operations Act, AB 1616 of 2012 as amended by AB 1144 of 2021). Class A operations (≤$75,000 gross annual sales) require a self-certification checklist filed with the local enforcement agency; Class B (≤$150,000) requires registration plus an annual home-kitchen inspection. The local enforcement agency for Ventura is Ventura County Environmental Health, not the city. The city still requires a business tax certificate and Home Occupation Standards approval for residential operation, but cannot ban a permitted cottage food operation outright.
View full Ventura rules →Key Facts Comparison
| Fact | Camarillo | Ventura |
|---|---|---|
| Class A | Direct sales only, county registration | - |
| Class B | Direct + indirect sales, county permit | - |
| Annual Sales Cap | $75,000 | - |
| Labeling | "Made in a Home Kitchen" required | - |
| State Law | HSC 113758 (AB 1616) | - |
| Governing law | - | Cal. HSC §113758 et seq. (AB 1616/AB 1144) |
| Class A annual sales cap | - | $75,000 |
| Class B annual sales cap | - | $150,000 |
| Local registration | - | Ventura County Environmental Health |
| City business tax certificate | - | Required |
| Non-family employees | - | 1 FTE maximum |
Highlighted rows indicate differences between cities.
Camarillo FAQ
Can I sell baked goods from my home in Camarillo?
Yes, under California's Cottage Food Operations law. Register as a Class A operator with Ventura County Environmental Health for direct sales, or obtain a Class B permit for indirect sales through retailers. You also need a Camarillo business license under CMC Title 5.
What foods can I sell as a cottage food operation?
Approved items include baked goods (cookies, cakes, bread), candies, jams, granola, dried pasta, roasted nuts, honey, dried herbs, and other shelf-stable, non-potentially hazardous foods. Perishable items requiring refrigeration are not allowed.
Can my HOA prohibit my cottage food business?
HOA CC&Rs may restrict commercial food activities. However, California AB 626 strengthened cottage food rights. If your operation complies with all city and county requirements and does not create visible evidence of commercial activity, your HOA may have limited grounds for prohibition. Consult your CC&Rs.
Ventura FAQ
Can Ventura ban me from selling jam I bake at home?
No. California's Cottage Food Operations Act (HSC §113758) preempts local prohibitions for permitted operations. You must register and meet operating standards.
Do I register with the City of Ventura?
No — cottage food registration is filed with Ventura County Environmental Health, which is the local enforcement agency under the state Health & Safety Code. You still need a city business tax certificate.
What foods are allowed?
Only foods on the state Approved Cottage Food List (non-potentially-hazardous items like baked goods, candy, jams, granola, dry herbs/spices). Refrigeration-required foods are not allowed.
Can I have an employee help me?
Yes, one full-time-equivalent employee outside family/household members per HSC §113758.
Compare other topics
See how Camarillo and Ventura 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