Nevada County, CA Home Business: Cottage Food Operations (2026)
Key Facts
- State law
- AB-1616 / H&SC 113758
- Class A sales cap
- $75,000 gross annual
- Class B sales cap
- $150,000 gross annual
- Class A / Class B fee
- $238.20 / $476.40 (Env. Health)
- Employees
- Max one full-time-equivalent
- Local agency
- Nevada County Environmental Health
Summary
Nevada County Environmental Health registers and permits cottage food operations under California's cottage food law (AB-1616 / Health and Safety Code 113758). Class A (direct sales) operators may earn up to $75,000 in gross annual sales; Class B (direct and indirect sales) up to $150,000. Local zoning compliance is required first.
Yes: A CFO will need a permit from the applicable City, Town or County Planning Department and the Department of Environmental Health as follows: County Planning Department - Includes the unincorporated areas of the county. The Planning Department requires that you obtain a Home Business Permit, which is a ministerial administrative permit pursuant to Section 12.03.110 of the Nevada County Code, before commencing CFO business activities. Applications shall be submitted to the Nevada County Planning Department and the Nevada County Environmental Health Department at the same time. [...] Department of Environmental Health: For Class A: CFOs (direct sale only), annual registration with the local environmental health department is all that is required. For Class B: CFOs (direct and indirect), an annual permit from the local environmental health department is required.
Full Breakdown
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. 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. 110 must also be satisfied, and Planning Department approval may be required in addition to Environmental Health.
Violations & Fines
Selling cottage foods without registering/permitting through Environmental Health, exceeding the gross-sales caps or employee limit, making non-approved foods, or operating without zoning compliance can result in enforcement and permit denial or revocation.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I start a cottage food business in Nevada County?
What is the difference between Class A and Class B?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Nevada County
California rules heatmap·Compare Nevada County to another location·View the California home business overview
See something wrong?
Help us keep this page accurate. If you notice an error or outdated information, let us know.