Lodi residents may operate a Cottage Food Operation under California's state Cottage Food law (Health & Safety Code §§113758-114365.5), registered through San Joaquin County Environmental Health. Lodi follows state law allowing CFOs as a permitted use in residential zones without local zoning approval.
California's Homemade Food Act (AB 1616) and Microenterprise Home Kitchen Act (AB 626) make Cottage Food Operations a permitted use in any residential zone in California, preempting most local zoning restrictions. In Lodi, CFOs do not need a separate zoning permit but must register with San Joaquin County Environmental Health and follow the state's Class A (direct sales only) or Class B (direct and indirect sales) requirements, including the $50,000 annual gross sales cap and the approved-food list. Lodi still requires a city business license and general home-occupation conditions on traffic, signage, and storage do apply. Microenterprise Home Kitchen Operations (MEHKO) are only permitted in counties that have opted in; San Joaquin County has not opted in to MEHKO as of 2026.
Operating without state Cottage Food registration or selling unapproved foods is a state Health Code violation enforced by San Joaquin County Environmental Health. City-level enforcement focuses on home-occupation conditions and business-license compliance.
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