Selling homemade foods from a Gardena residence is governed mainly by California's Homemade Food Act. A cottage food operation registers or permits through Los Angeles County, and because the kitchen is a home business, Gardena's Chapter 18.56 home occupation permit conditions also apply.
Home food businesses in Gardena are primarily regulated by the California Homemade Food Act, set by the state and administered by Los Angeles County Environmental Health. A cottage food operation makes non-potentially-hazardous foods, such as baked goods, jams, and candies, in a home kitchen. A Class A operation registers with the county and sells directly without a kitchen inspection; a Class B operation obtains a county permit and annual inspection to sell indirectly through stores. Annual gross-sales caps apply and adjust for inflation. Gardena does not set its own cottage food fees or categories. Because the operation is in a residence, it is a home occupation subject to Chapter 18.56, so the operator needs a home occupation permit.
Selling homemade food without the required county registration or permit violates state law, and running the kitchen business without a Gardena home occupation permit violates Chapter 18.56. Report local zoning concerns to Community Development at (310) 217-9672.
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Side-by-side rule comparisons with other cities in Los Angeles County.
See how other cities in Los Angeles County handle cottage food operations.
See how Gardena's cottage food operations rules stack up against other locations.
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