Cottage Food Operations in Oakland are authorized by California Health and Safety Code 114365 (AB 1616, Cottage Food Act) and registered or permitted through Alameda County Environmental Health, allowing sale of low-risk homemade foods from home kitchens with sales caps and labeling rules.
The California Homemade Food Act (AB 1616, codified at H and S Code 113758 and 114365 et seq.) authorizes Cottage Food Operations (CFOs) to produce non-potentially hazardous foods such as baked goods without cream, jams, granola, roasted coffee, and similar items from a home kitchen. Oakland residents register their CFO with Alameda County Environmental Health, the local enforcement agency. Class A CFOs sell only direct to consumer (farmers markets, home pickup) and complete a self-certification. Class B CFOs sell through indirect channels (retail, restaurants) and require an inspection. Annual gross sales cap is set by state law and has been adjusted upward, currently 150,000 dollars per AB 831 (2021). Labels must include the CFO registration number, business name, ingredients, allergen statement, and the words Made in a Home Kitchen. Oakland Planning treats a compliant CFO as a Home Occupation under OMC 17.102, so on-site standards for employees, signage, and traffic still apply. AB 626 (MEHKO) is a separate program that allows hot meal preparation and requires county opt-in.
Operating without county registration is a misdemeanor under H and S 114405 and can result in embargo of products and cease-and-desist orders. Label violations bring written notices and fines up to 1,000 dollars under state law. Exceeding the gross sales cap requires transition to a commercial kitchen under standard retail food permits. Home-occupation violations under OMC 17.102 are separately enforced.
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