Cottage Food Operations: Carlsbad vs San Diego
How do cottage food operations rules compare between Carlsbad, CA and San Diego, CA?
Carlsbad and San Diego have similar restriction levels.
Carlsbad, CA
San Diego County
CA Homemade Food Act applies. Cottage food permitted per H&S §113758. Kitchen only. City business license required. SD County DEH oversight.
View full Carlsbad 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 | Carlsbad | San Diego |
|---|---|---|
| Location | Dwelling kitchen only | - |
| Class A | $75K/yr | Direct sales from home to consumer |
| Class B | $150K/yr | Farmers markets, retail, online sales permitted |
| License | City business license | - |
| County | DEH oversight | - |
| Permit | - | County Department of Environmental Health permit required |
| Revenue Cap | - | $75,000/year (Class B) per CA law |
| State Law | - | CA HSC §§113758, 114365 (Cottage Food Law) |
Highlighted rows indicate differences between cities.
Carlsbad FAQ
Start cottage food?
Obtain city business license. Kitchen only per H&S §113758.
Revenue limits?
Class A: $75K. Class B: $150K.
Garage OK?
No. Kitchen only.
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.
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