Grass Valley, CA Home Business: Cottage Food Operations (2026)

California's cottage food law, originally AB-1616 (2012) and codified at Health and Safety Code Section 113758, lets certain non-potentially-hazardous foods be made in a home kitchen. Nevada County's Environmental Health Department administers cottage food registration and permits locally. Per the County's Cottage Food page, there are two permit types: Class A (direct sales to the consumer only), with a current maximum of $75,000 in gross annual sales and an annual permit fee of $238.20; and Class B (direct sales plus indirect sales to food facilities), with a current maximum of $150,000 in gross annual sales and an annual permit fee of $476.40. State law limits an operation to no more than one full-time-equivalent employee (not counting family or household members). The County requires applicants to make products on the CDPH approved food list, attach a product list and label for each product, hold a food processor training/food safety/food handler certificate, and provide water quality test results if on a private well. Critically, before applying, the cottage food facility location must comply with zoning, meaning a home-business under Nevada County Code Section 12.03.110 must also be satisfied, and Planning Department approval may be required in addition to Environmental Health.