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Huntington Beach, CA Home Business: Cottage Food Operations (2026)

Some Restrictions
Compiled from the official code textEditor Martyn O'NeillLast verified April 2026

Key Facts

Class A
Direct-to-consumer, county registration
Class B
Includes wholesale, county permit
Sales Cap
$75,000/year
Business License
City license required
State Law
HSC §113758

Summary

Cottage food operations are permitted in Huntington Beach under California's Homemade Food Act. Class A operators sell directly to consumers; Class B may sell through retailers. Both require OC Health Care Agency registration/permits and a city business license.

(a) "Cottage food operation" means an enterprise that has no more than the amount in gross annual sales that is specified in this subdivision, is operated by a cottage food operator, and has no more than one full-time equivalent cottage food employee, not including a family member or household member of the cottage food operator, within the registered or permitted area of a private home where the cottage food operator resides and where cottage food products are prepared or packaged for direct, indirect, or direct and indirect sale to consumers pursuant to this part. A "Class A" cottage food operation shall not have more than seventy-five thousand dollars ($75,000) in verifiable gross annual sales. A "Class B" cottage food operation shall not have more than one hundred fifty thousand dollars ($150,000) in verifiable gross annual sales. The gross annual sales for a "Class A" or "Class B" cottage food operation shall be annually adjusted for inflation based on the California Consumer Price Index. A cottage food operation includes both of the following:

(1) A "Class A" cottage food operation, which is a cottage food operation that may engage only in direct sales of cottage food products from the cottage food operation or other direct sales venues described in paragraph (4) of subdivision (b).

(2) A "Class B" cottage food operation, which is a cottage food operation that may engage in both direct sales and indirect sales of cottage food products from the cottage food operation, from direct sales venues described in paragraph (4) of subdivision (b), from offsite events, or from a third-party retail food facility described in paragraph (5) of subdivision (b).

Source: California Cottage Food Law (HSC §113758)View official code

Full Breakdown

California HSC Sections 113758 and 114365 authorize cottage food operations in Huntington Beach. Class A operations sell directly to consumers and require OC Health Care Agency registration. Class B operations may sell through stores and at farmers markets and require a county permit. Both classes are limited to non-potentially-hazardous foods. Annual gross sales are capped at $75,000. Operators must obtain a city business license and comply with home occupation provisions. All food must be prepared in the home kitchen.

Violations & Fines

Operating without registration or permits is subject to OC Health Care Agency enforcement. Selling unapproved foods may result in permit revocation.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I sell baked goods from my home in Huntington Beach?
Yes. Register with OC Health Care Agency (Class A) or get a permit (Class B), plus obtain a city business license.
What is the sales limit for cottage food?
Annual gross sales are capped at $75,000 under California law.

Sources & Official References

Other rules in Huntington Beach

All Huntington Beach rules

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