Cottage Food Operations: Tulare vs Visalia
How do cottage food operations rules compare between Tulare, CA and Visalia, CA?
Tulare and Visalia have similar restriction levels.
Tulare, CA
Tulare County
Tulare cannot prohibit cottage food operations in residential dwellings. California's Homemade Food Act (AB 1616, codified at Cal. Health & Safety Code § 113758) requires every city and county to treat cottage food operations as a permitted residential use. Tulare residents can produce non-potentially hazardous foods at home for sale within state-set sales caps after registering or being permitted by the Tulare County environmental health department.
View full Tulare rules →Visalia, CA
Tulare County
The California Homemade Food Act, codified at Health and Safety Code sections 113758 and 114365, sets uniform rules for cottage food operations and bars local governments from prohibiting them in residential zones.
View full Visalia rules →Key Facts Comparison
| Fact | Tulare | Visalia |
|---|---|---|
| Statute | Cal. Health & Safety Code § 113758 (AB 1616) | - |
| Class A sales cap | $75,000 gross annual | - |
| Class B sales cap | $150,000 gross annual | - |
| Non-household employees | Maximum of 1 full-time equivalent | - |
| Local preemption | Cities cannot prohibit cottage food in residential dwellings | H&S Code 114365 |
| Local registration | Tulare County Environmental Health Division | - |
| Primary statute | - | H&S Code 113758 |
| Class A revenue cap | - | Adjusted annually |
| Class B requirement | - | Annual inspection |
| Permit type | - | Registration or permit |
Highlighted rows indicate differences between cities.
Tulare FAQ
Can I bake and sell goods from my Tulare home?
Yes, for approved non-potentially-hazardous foods. Register (Class A) or get a permit (Class B) from Tulare County Environmental Health, get a Tulare Business Tax Certificate, and follow the state labeling and sales-cap rules under Cal. Health & Safety Code § 113758.
What kinds of food are NOT allowed under cottage food rules?
Any potentially hazardous food — meat, fish, fresh dairy, cream-filled baked goods, cooked vegetables, anything requiring refrigeration for safety. The state maintains an approved-foods list; check it before launching.
Can Tulare zone my cottage food business out of my neighborhood?
No. Cal. Health & Safety Code § 113758 preempts local prohibitions — Tulare must allow cottage food operations as a permitted residential use in every dwelling.
Visalia FAQ
Can my city ban cottage food sales from my home?
No. Health and Safety Code 114365 expressly preempts local bans on cottage food operations. Cities may impose only reasonable, non-discriminatory zoning standards equivalent to other residential uses.
What foods can I sell as cottage food?
Only non-potentially-hazardous foods on the CDPH approved list, such as baked goods without cream fillings, jams, granola, and dry mixes. Refrigerated and meat products are prohibited.
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