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

Modoc County does not have a separate cottage-food zoning ordinance; instead, cottage food is regulated by state law and administered by Modoc County Environmental Health. California's Homemade Food Act (AB 1616, effective January 2013) lets individuals prepare and sell certain non-potentially hazardous foods — foods that do not support rapid bacterial growth when held outside refrigeration — from a home kitchen. Modoc County Environmental Health (202 W 4th Street, Alturas; 530-233-6310) states that cottage food operations are allowed to produce approved non-potentially hazardous foods, publishes the list of approved cottage food categories, and provides a Cottage Foods application packet and program fee schedule. State law creates two tiers: a Class A operator, who sells directly to consumers, registers with the local environmental health agency; a Class B operator, who may also sell indirectly through third-party retailers, must obtain a permit that requires a home-kitchen inspection (and annual renewal inspection). Statewide gross-annual-sales caps apply and are adjusted for inflation. All cottage food preparers must complete an ANSI-accredited food handler course within three months of registering, renewed every three years. From a zoning standpoint, running a cottage food business out of the home is a 'home occupation' under Title 18, so the home-occupation standards (inside the dwelling, no outdoor activity, residents-only employees, small nameplate, noise/odor limits) also apply. Contact Modoc County Environmental Health for the application packet and current fees, and confirm zoning compliance with the Planning Department.