Amador County, CA Home Business: Cottage Food Operations (2026)

Selling homemade non-hazardous foods from a home in unincorporated Amador County is controlled by state law - the California Homemade Food Act (AB 1616, 2012), codified at Health & Safety Code 113758 and Chapter 11.5 (Section 114365 et seq.). HSC 113758 defines a 'cottage food operation' as a home enterprise with limited gross annual sales and no more than one full-time-equivalent employee (not counting family members) that prepares or packages approved cottage food products in a private home for sale to consumers. California uses two tiers: a Class A operation may sell directly (in person, online, shipping, farmers markets) and must register with the local enforcement agency by submitting an approved self-certification checklist, with no kitchen inspection; a Class B operation may also sell indirectly through stores and restaurants and must obtain a permit from the local enforcement agency, issued only after a home-kitchen inspection. In Amador County the local enforcement agency is the County Environmental Health Department, so a CFO registers or permits through that office and follows the state's product list, labeling and food-handler training rules. State law also limits how far cities and counties can restrict a CFO at home: a registered/permitted CFO is treated as a permitted home activity within the statute's parameters, though general home-occupation neighborhood standards (traffic, parking) can still apply. Confirm current registration/permit forms and fees with Amador County Environmental Health.