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

A cottage food operation (CFO) - making certain non-hazardous foods in a home kitchen - in unincorporated Glenn County is governed by the California Homemade Food Act (AB 1616, 2012), codified in the California Retail Food Code (Health & Safety Code 113758 and 114365 et seq.), and administered locally by Glenn County Environmental Health (247 N Villa Ave, Willows, CA 95988). State law defines a CFO as an enterprise in the operator's private home with 'no more than one full-time equivalent cottage food employee,' not counting family or household members. There are two classes: a 'Class A' CFO may engage only in direct sales (to consumers at the home, farmers markets, or other direct venues) and registers via a self-certification checklist with Environmental Health; a 'Class B' CFO may engage in direct AND indirect sales (through third-party retail food facilities) and requires a permit plus an initial Environmental Health inspection of the home kitchen. State caps gross annual sales at $75,000 for Class A and $150,000 for Class B (adjusted for inflation), and food preparers must complete an approved food handler/processor course. Only foods on California's approved CFO list (non-potentially hazardous items such as baked goods, jams, dried goods) are allowed; all products must be properly labeled and, for Class A/B, delivered directly to the customer in person (not via mail/courier). As a home-based activity, a CFO must also remain consistent with the County's home-occupation and zoning rules. Apply through Glenn County Environmental Health and check the current fee schedule.