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

Plumas County Environmental Health administers cottage food operations (CFOs) under the California Cottage Food law (AB-1616) and the California Retail Food Code. A CFO is an enterprise in a private home where approved non-potentially-hazardous foods on the state list are prepared or packaged. Under Health and Safety Code Section 113758, a Class A CFO may engage only in direct sales and is limited to $75,000 in gross annual sales, while a Class B CFO may engage in direct and indirect sales (through third-party retailers) and is limited to $150,000 in gross annual sales; both are limited to one full-time-equivalent employee not counting household members. Per the county's CFO booklet, a Class A operator completes a registration and an approved self-certification checklist, while a Class B operator obtains a permit and is subject to inspection by Environmental Health. The booklet requires operators to obtain a California Food Handler Card within three months of registration or permitting, to use a private home kitchen only (community or club kitchens do not qualify), to exclude pets and small children during preparation, and to bar other domestic activity, smoking, and ill persons from the permitted area during production. Potable water is required, and homes on private wells (not a public system) may need additional water testing. Liquid waste must go to an approved sewage disposal system. Contact Environmental Health at 530-283-6355 for current fees and forms.