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

Selling homemade food from a Perris residence is governed mainly by California's Cottage Food law (Health and Safety Code 113758, enacted by AB 1616, the California Homemade Food Act). State law bars cities from prohibiting cottage food operations in residential dwellings and requires them to classify cottage food as a permitted residential use (or grant a nondiscretionary permit with only reasonable standards), so Perris cannot zone these operations out. Perris implements this through its home occupation provisions: Zoning Code Section 19.02.140 lists 'home catering and food preparation businesses, subject to the approval of the Riverside County Health Department' as a permitted home occupation, and the City directs food sellers to contact Riverside County Environmental Health. Cottage food operations come in two state classes - Class A (direct sales, up to $75,000 in gross annual sales, registered with a self-certification checklist) and Class B (direct and indirect/wholesale sales, up to $150,000, requiring a home-kitchen inspection). Riverside County serves as the local enforcement agency that handles that registration or permit. Operators must still meet the general home-occupation limits in 19.02.140 (incidental use, one room or 25% of the dwelling, no signage), and a City business license is required. Only foods on California's approved cottage-food list may be made and sold.