Cottage food operations (CFOs) are governed by California Health & Safety Code §113758. Class A CFOs (up to $75,000 gross annual sales, direct sales only) and Class B CFOs (up to $150,000, direct + indirect sales) are state-protected as permitted residential uses. Carson cannot ban CFOs; the City issues a business license and the LA County Department of Public Health (Environmental Health) registers/permits the CFO.
California's Cottage Food Law (HSC §113758) preempts local zoning bans on home-kitchen production of approved nonpotentially hazardous foods (baked goods, jams, granola, dried tea blends, etc., listed in HSC §114365.5). A CFO operator must: (1) register (Class A) or be permitted (Class B) by the LA County Department of Public Health for the Carson area; (2) complete a state-approved food processor course; (3) label products with the CFO designation and address; (4) limit to one full-time-equivalent CFO employee plus household. The 2021 amendments (Stats. 2021 Ch. 178) raised Class A to $75,000 and Class B to $150,000 in verifiable gross annual sales, both indexed to the California CPI. Carson treats CFOs as a residential use consistent with state law — a home occupation permit/business license through carsonca.gov is required, but the City cannot impose its standard home-occupation traffic, customer, or signage constraints in a way that effectively bars compliant CFO operations. The Microenterprise Home Kitchen Operation (MHKO) framework (HSC §114367) requires LA County opt-in to authorize sit-down meal sales from a home kitchen; check with LA County Public Health for current MHKO status.
Operating a CFO without LA County Public Health registration/permit, exceeding state sales caps, producing non-approved foods, or failing to label properly are state-level violations enforced by LA County Public Health. City-level: operating without a Carson business license.
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