Oakley, CA Home Business: Cottage Food Operations (2026)

California's Cottage Food Operations (CFO) law, Assembly Bill 1616 of 2012 and expanded by AB 1240 and subsequent amendments, allows residents to make and sell specified non-potentially hazardous foods from home kitchens. Contra Costa County Environmental Health administers CFO registration (Class A, direct to consumer) or permitting (Class B, permits wholesale to other retailers). Approved foods are on a state-maintained list and include items like baked goods without cream or meat fillings, candy, chocolate-covered nonperishable foods, dried fruits and herbs, jams and jellies from approved fruits, granola and cereals, popcorn, dry baking mixes, dried pasta, roasted coffee, vinegar and mustard, and shelled nuts. Not allowed: anything requiring refrigeration, meat, fish, dairy products (except as baking ingredients), low-acid canned goods, or foods prepared in commercial equipment. Annual gross sales are capped ($150,000 as of 2023, subject to legislative changes). CFO operators must complete an approved food processor course within three months of registration, follow label requirements (product name, operator name and address, CFO registration number, allergen and ingredient lists, net weight, and cottage-food disclaimer), pass a home kitchen inspection for Class B operations and a self-attestation for Class A, prohibit pets in food-prep areas during production, and comply with domestic water-quality and handwashing rules. On top of state and county CFO status, Oakley requires a home occupation permit and business license. Separately, Microenterprise Home Kitchen Operations (AB 626) allow cooked-to-order meals sold from home with higher gross-sales limits, but only in counties that have opted in; Contra Costa has not broadly opted in to MEHKO as of the most recent policy checks. Sales channels allowed for CFOs include direct farmer's markets, events, online direct-to-consumer, and retail delivery for Class B.