California's Cottage Food Law (AB 1616 and AB 1266) allows Mission Viejo residents to produce and sell approved non-potentially-hazardous foods from their home kitchens. Class A permits allow direct sales to consumers with annual revenue up to $75,000. Class B permits allow indirect sales through stores and restaurants. Registration is through the Orange County Health Care Agency. City business license is also required.
Mission Viejo residents may operate cottage food businesses from their homes under California Health and Safety Code Sections 114365-114365.7, known as the California Cottage Food Law. There are two types of cottage food operations. Class A Cottage Food Operations involve direct sale to consumers only, such as at farmers markets, from the home, or through community events. Class A operators register with the Orange County Health Care Agency and self-certify their kitchen. Class B Cottage Food Operations allow both direct and indirect sales, meaning the food may also be sold to stores and restaurants. Class B operators must obtain a permit from OCHCA, which requires a kitchen inspection. Approved cottage food products include baked goods without cream or custard fillings, candy, chocolate-covered non-perishable items, dried fruits, granola, honey, jams and jellies, nut butters, popcorn, roasted nuts, spice mixes, tea, and other non-potentially-hazardous foods. Potentially hazardous foods requiring temperature control, such as those containing dairy, meat, or eggs, are not permitted. Annual revenue is capped at $75,000 for both classes. Cottage food operators must label all products with the producer's name and address, ingredients, allergens, and the statement 'Made in a Home Kitchen.' A Mission Viejo business license is required in addition to the OCHCA registration or permit. Home kitchen operations must comply with HOA restrictions, which may limit business activities visible from the street.
Operating without OCHCA registration or exceeding the revenue cap may result in closure of the operation and fines from the health department. Selling non-approved foods or failing to properly label products can result in permit revocation. Operating without a city business license may result in an administrative citation.
Other ordinances people look up for this city. Green dot = verified primary-source excerpt.
Mission Viejo, CA
Mission Viejo uses a nuisance-based noise standard rather than fixed decibel limits for most residential situations. The General Plan Noise Element establish...
Mission Viejo, CA
Mission Viejo is not within the primary noise contour of any major airport. The nearest commercial airport is John Wayne Airport (SNA), approximately 15 mile...
Mission Viejo, CA
Outdoor music in Mission Viejo must not be audible beyond property boundaries at levels that disturb neighbors. The city hosts outdoor concerts at the Lake a...
Mission Viejo, CA
Mission Viejo does not have a citywide overnight parking ban on public streets, but the 72-hour storage limit applies. Most HOA communities restrict or prohi...
Mission Viejo, CA
Mission Viejo generally allows street parking but restricts it in certain areas through posted signage. The 72-hour vehicle storage limit on public streets i...
Mission Viejo, CA
Mission Viejo actively enforces abandoned vehicle regulations on public streets and private property. Vehicles that are inoperable, unregistered, or parked f...
Side-by-side rule comparisons with other cities in Orange County.
See how other cities in Orange County handle cottage food operations.
See how Mission Viejo's cottage food operations rules stack up against other locations.
Help us keep this page accurate. If you notice an error or outdated information, let us know.