Rialto, CA Home Business: Cottage Food Operations (2026)
Key Facts
- State zoning protection
- Cities cannot prohibit cottage food operations in homes (Gov. Code 51035)
- Sales caps
- Class A $75,000 / Class B $150,000 gross annual sales, inflation-adjusted (HSC 113758)
- County fees (March 2020)
- Class A registration $184; Class B permit $251 (SB County DEHS)
- Local approval
- Rialto home occupation permit plus county DEHS registration or permit
Summary
California law bars Rialto from prohibiting cottage food operations in residential dwellings (Gov. Code 51035). Home food businesses register with San Bernardino County Environmental Health Services - Class A (direct sales) by registration, Class B (direct and indirect sales) by health permit - and also need City of Rialto planning approval.
Does a CFO need a permit to operate? Planning/Zoning: All CFOs need to obtain approval from their local city or county planning department. Depending on the jurisdiction, a CFO may obtain either a Home Occupation Permit, or an Exemption Letter from San Bernardino County Land Use Services. The Cottage Food Bill gives planning departments several options to consider, so planning department requirements may vary between jurisdictions. Environmental Health: For "Class A" CFOs (direct sale only), registration with DEHS and submission of a completed "Self-Certification Checklist" is required. For "Class B" CFOs (direct and indirect sales), a health permit from DEHS is required. Both Class A and B will require proof of residency via driver's license, or utility bill, etc.
Full Breakdown
Under California Government Code Section 51035 (added by AB 1616, the California Homemade Food Act), a city may not prohibit a cottage food operation in any residential dwelling and must either classify it as a permitted residential use, grant a nondiscretionary permit, or process a conditional use permit limited to reasonable standards on spacing, traffic, parking, and noise. Health and Safety Code Section 113758 caps Class A operations at 75,000 dollars and Class B operations at 150,000 dollars in verifiable gross annual sales, adjusted annually for inflation; only non-potentially-hazardous foods on the CDPH-approved list may be produced, and one full-time-equivalent non-household employee is allowed.
HSC Section 114365 requires Class A operators to register with the local enforcement agency and self-certify, while Class B operators need a permit and inspection. 68. 050(G) separately lists catering and food preparation businesses as permitted home occupations subject to San Bernardino County Health Department approval.
Violations & Fines
Operating a cottage food business without DEHS registration or permit violates the California Retail Food Code, and operating without Rialto planning approval violates RMC Chapter 5.68, an infraction with fines of 200 to 500 dollars per day (RMC 5.68.170).
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I sell baked goods from my home kitchen in Rialto?
Is there a limit on how much my cottage food business can earn?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Rialto
California rules heatmap·Compare Rialto to another location·View the California home business overview
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Cottage Food Operations in Nearby Cities
How other cities in San Bernardino County handle cottage food operations.