Kern County, CA Home Business: Cottage Food Operations (2026)
Key Facts
- Class A sales cap
- 75,000 dollars gross annual
- Class B sales cap
- 150,000 dollars gross annual
- Class A requirement
- Registration plus self-certification checklist
- Class B requirement
- Permit, max one inspection yearly
- Employees
- One non-household full-time equivalent
Summary
Kern County residents can sell approved low-risk homemade foods as cottage food operations. Class A operations register with Kern County Public Health for direct sales; Class B operations need a permit and may also sell through stores and restaurants.
(a)(1)(A) A 'Class A' cottage food operation shall not be open for business unless it is registered with the local enforcement agency [and submits] a completed, self-certification checklist approved by the local enforcement agency. ... (C)(i) Except as provided in clause (ii), a 'Class A' cottage food operation shall not be subject to initial or routine inspections. ... (D) A 'Class A' cottage food operation shall be authorized to engage in the direct sales of cottage food products throughout the state. ... (2)(A) [A 'Class B' cottage food operation] shall not be open for business unless it obtains a permit from the local enforcement agency. ... (C)(i) A 'Class B' cottage food operation shall not be subject to more than one inspection per year. ... (D) A 'Class B' cottage food operation shall be authorized to engage in the direct and indirect sales of cottage food products.
Full Breakdown
California Health and Safety Code Section 113758 defines a cottage food operation as a business in a private home with no more than one full-time-equivalent non-household employee, capped at 75,000 dollars in verifiable gross annual sales for Class A and 150,000 dollars for Class B. Under Section 114365, Class A operations must register with the local enforcement agency and submit a self-certification checklist and are generally exempt from routine inspection, while Class B operations must obtain a permit and face no more than one inspection per year. Kern County Public Health Services acts as the local enforcement agency, and operators must complete cottage food operator training.
Violations & Fines
Opening a cottage food business without the required registration or permit violates the California Retail Food Code; Kern County Public Health can deny, suspend, or revoke a CFO registration or permit.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between Class A and Class B cottage food operations in Kern County?
How much can I earn from a cottage food operation?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Kern County
California rules heatmap·Compare Kern County to another location·View the California home business overview
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