Fullerton, CA Home Business: Cottage Food Operations (2026)
Key Facts
- Class A
- Direct sales only. OCHCA registration required
- Class B
- Indirect sales allowed. OCHCA permit required
- Annual Cap
- $75,000 gross sales
- Labeling
- 'Made in a Home Kitchen' label required
- OCHCA
- (714) 433-6000
Summary
Fullerton permits cottage food operations under California's Cottage Food Act (AB 1616, Health and Safety Code Sections 113758 et seq.). Class A cottage food operators sell directly to consumers and register with the Orange County Health Care Agency. Class B operators may sell through third-party retailers and require a county permit. Annual gross sales are capped at $75,000. Only approved non-potentially hazardous foods may be prepared.
(a) (1) (A) A "Class A" cottage food operation shall not be open for business unless it is registered with the local enforcement agency and has submitted a completed, self-certification checklist approved by the local enforcement agency. The self-certification checklist shall verify that the cottage food operation conforms to this chapter, including the following requirements:
(i) No cottage food preparation, packaging, or handling may occur in the home kitchen concurrent with any other domestic activities, such as family meal preparation, dishwashing, clothes washing or ironing, kitchen cleaning, or guest entertainment.
(ii) No infants, small children, or pets may be in the home kitchen during the preparation, packaging, or handling of cottage food products.
(iii) Kitchen equipment and utensils used to produce cottage food products shall be clean and maintained in a good state of repair.
(iv) All food contact surfaces, equipment, and utensils used for the preparation, packaging, or handling of cottage food products shall be washed, rinsed, and sanitized before each use.
(v) All food preparation and food and equipment storage areas shall be maintained free of rodents and insects.
(vi) Smoking shall be prohibited in the portion of a private home used for the preparation, packaging, storage, or handling of cottage food products and related ingredients or equipment, or both, while cottage food products are being prepared, packaged, stored, or handled.
(B) (i) The department shall post the requirements described in subparagraph (A) on its internet website.
(ii) The local enforcement agency shall issue a registration number to a "Class A" cottage food operation that meets the requirements of subparagraph (A).
Full Breakdown
California's Cottage Food Act allows residents to prepare and sell certain non-potentially hazardous foods from their home kitchens. In Fullerton, cottage food operations are regulated by the Orange County Health Care Agency (OCHCA), the designated local enforcement agency. Two classes of operations exist: Class A operations sell directly to consumers at the operator's home, farmers' markets, or community events, and require registration with OCHCA. Class B operations may additionally sell indirectly through third-party retailers (stores, restaurants) and require a permit from OCHCA along with a self-certification checklist.
Annual gross sales for cottage food operations are capped at $75,000 under current state law. Only approved non-potentially hazardous foods may be prepared, including baked goods (bread, cookies, pastries without cream filling), candies, dried fruits, granola, honey, jams and jellies, nuts, popcorn, and certain other shelf-stable items. Foods requiring temperature control, such as those containing meat, dairy cream, or cut fresh fruits, are not permitted. All products must be labeled with the operator's name, address, phone number, the words 'Made in a Home Kitchen,' the product name, and ingredient list.
A food handler certification is recommended but not required for Class A operators. The home kitchen must meet basic sanitation standards and is subject to inspection by OCHCA upon complaint. Fullerton's zoning ordinance does not specifically address cottage food operations, but they are generally treated as compatible home occupations since the state law preempts certain local restrictions. A Fullerton business license is required.
Violations & Fines
Operating without the required OCHCA registration or permit may result in enforcement action by the county health inspector, including orders to cease operations. Selling unapproved foods, exceeding the $75,000 annual cap, or failing to label products correctly may result in warnings, permit suspension, or permit revocation. City business license violations are handled separately by the Fullerton Finance Department.
Frequently Asked Questions
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Sources & Official References
Other rules in Fullerton
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How other cities in Orange County handle cottage food operations.