Trinity County, CA Home Business: Cottage Food Operations (2026)

California's Homemade Food Act (AB 1616, codified mainly at Health & Safety Code 113758 and 114365 et seq.) lets approved, non-potentially-hazardous foods be made in a home kitchen and sold to the public as a Cottage Food Operation (CFO). In unincorporated Trinity County the local enforcement agency is the Trinity County Environmental Health Division (part of the Community Development Department). A Class A CFO (direct sales only, e.g., at the operator's own stand, farmers' markets, or directly to consumers) may not open for business unless it is registered with the County and has submitted a completed self-certification checklist approved by the County. A Class B CFO (direct and indirect sales, such as through stores or restaurants) requires a permit from the County and is subject to inspection. The state sets gross-revenue caps for each class (statutorily $75,000 for Class A and $150,000 for Class B, adjusted for inflation). Trinity County's published cottage-food materials emphasize that no cottage-food preparation may occur in the home kitchen concurrent with other domestic activities, and no infants, small children, or pets may be in the kitchen during preparation; operations on private wells must complete water-quality testing. Trinity County's zoning code does not appear to single out cottage food, so a compliant CFO operates as a permitted home activity. Confirm current registration steps and fees with Trinity County Environmental Health in Weaverville.