Cottage Food Operations: Escondido vs San Diego
How do cottage food operations rules compare between Escondido, CA and San Diego, CA?
Escondido and San Diego have similar restriction levels.
Escondido, CA
San Diego County
CA Homemade Food Act applies. SD County DEH approval before city license. Kitchen only. Class A: $75K. Class B: $150K. One non-resident employee.
View full Escondido 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 | Escondido | San Diego |
|---|---|---|
| DEH | Required first | - |
| Class A | $75K/yr | Direct sales from home to consumer |
| Class B | $150K/yr | Farmers markets, retail, online sales permitted |
| Employees | 1 part-time | - |
| Location | Kitchen only | - |
| 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.
Escondido FAQ
Permit?
DEH approval + city business license.
Garage OK?
No. Kitchen only.
What to sell?
Baked goods, candies, jams, dried fruits per CA law.
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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