Riverside County, CA Home Business: Cottage Food Operations (2026)

California's Cottage Food law permits residents to produce and sell certain low-risk foods (baked goods without cream filling, jams, dry mixes, granola, candy, nut butters, etc.) from their home kitchen. Riverside County Department of Environmental Health (DEH) administers two tiers: Class A (direct sales only, up to $150,000 gross annual sales under current state caps) requires a registration and self-certification; Class B (indirect sales through retail/restaurants) requires a permit and an inspection of the home kitchen. A Food Safety Certificate from a state-approved course is required for both classes. Products must be properly labeled with the producer, ingredients, allergens, net weight, and the phrase 'Made in a Home Kitchen.' Separately, Riverside County was among the first counties in California to opt into the Microenterprise Home Kitchen Operation (MEHKO) program under AB 626 (H&S §114367), allowing permitted home kitchens to serve full meals directly to consumers with caps of 30 meals/day, 90 meals/week, and $100,000 gross annual sales. MEHKO requires a full DEH permit, an on-site inspection, and compliance with handwashing, refrigeration, and safe-food-handling standards.