Napa County, CA Home Business: Cottage Food Operations (2026)
Key Facts
- Legal Basis
- California AB 1616 / HSC 113758 et seq.
- Class A Cap (2024+)
- $75,000 gross sales; direct-to-consumer only
- Class B Cap (2024+)
- $150,000 gross sales; retail + consumer
- Class A Approval
- Registration with annual fee
- Class B Approval
- Permit with annual fee + annual routine inspection
- Required Within 3 Months
- Product labels and Food Handler Certificate
- MEHKO Status
- Not opted in - home prep of hazardous foods not allowed
- Permitting Authority
- Napa County Environmental Health Division, (707) 253-4417
Summary
Cottage food operations in Napa County are authorized under California's AB 1616 / Health & Safety Code section 113758 et seq. and are registered (Class A) or permitted (Class B) by the Napa County Environmental Health Division. Class A is capped at $75,000 in 2024+ gross sales and Class B at $150,000. Napa County has not opted into the MEHKO (Microenterprise Home Kitchen) program.
State law was changed to allow private homes to be used for the preparation and packaging of some food products for sale to consumers under certain conditions [effective January 1, 2013 under California Assembly Bill 1616]. Class A: Direct to consumer only; $75,000 or less in gross sales in 2024 and beyond; Registration with annual fee; Consumer complaint inspections only. Class B: Direct to retail facilities and optionally to consumer; $150,000 or less in gross sales in 2024 and beyond; Permit with annual fee; Complaint inspections plus mandatory annual routine inspection. Permitted foods: Baked goods such as cakes (without cream), cookies, bread, scones, candies, nuts, granola, etc. Both classes must submit product labels and a Food Handler Certificate within three months of registration/approval. Contact: Environmental Health Division, 1195 Third Street, 2nd Floor, Napa, CA 94559; 707-253-4417.
Full Breakdown
Per the Napa County Environmental Health Division page on Cottage Food Operations, 'State law was changed to allow private homes to be used for the preparation and packaging of some food products for sale to consumers under certain conditions' effective January 1, 2013 under California Assembly Bill 1616. There are two classes: Class A (direct-to-consumer sales only) requires registration with an annual fee and is inspected only on consumer complaint; Class B (sales direct to retail facilities and optionally to consumers) requires an Environmental Health permit with an annual fee and a mandatory annual routine inspection in addition to complaint inspections.
The 2024-and-beyond gross sales limit is $75,000 for Class A and $150,000 for Class B. Permitted products are limited to non-potentially hazardous baked goods such as cakes (without cream), cookies, bread, scones, candies, nuts, granola, and other items on the California Department of Public Health approved list. Both classes must submit product labels and a Food Handler Certificate within three months of registration or permit approval. Applications and questions go to Napa County Environmental Health at 1195 Third Street, 2nd Floor, Napa, CA 94559, phone (707) 253-4417. ) for sale is not authorized in Napa County.
Violations & Fines
Operating a cottage food business without the required CFO registration (Class A) or permit (Class B), exceeding the annual gross-sales cap, selling non-approved food categories, or operating a home kitchen serving potentially hazardous foods (since Napa County has not opted into MEHKO) is a violation of the California Health and Safety Code and the County Environmental Health permit program. Penalties may include permit suspension, embargo of product, civil penalties, and referral for misdemeanor prosecution under HSC 113700 et seq.
Frequently Asked Questions
What can I sell from my home kitchen in Napa County?
Do I need a permit or just a registration?
Does my Cottage Food Operation also need a Home Occupation Permit?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Napa County
California rules heatmap·Compare Napa County to another location·View the California home business overview
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