Huntington Beach, CA Home Business: Cottage Food Operations (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).
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?
What is the sales limit for cottage food?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Huntington Beach
California rules heatmap·Compare Huntington Beach to another location·View the California home business overview
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Cottage Food Operations in Nearby Cities
How other cities in Orange County handle cottage food operations.