Cottage food operations are permitted in unincorporated San Diego County under California's Cottage Food Law (AB 1616 / Health & Safety Code §113758). Class A permits allow direct-to-consumer sales from home. Class B permits allow indirect sales (farmers markets, stores). Annual revenue cap of $75,000.
California's Cottage Food Law allows home-based production and sale of specified non-potentially-hazardous foods. Class A cottage food operations sell directly to consumers from the home or at community events and require registration with the County Department of Environmental Health and Quality (DEHQ). Class B operations sell indirectly through stores, restaurants, or farmers markets and require a DEHQ permit plus annual inspection. Annual gross revenue is capped at $75,000 (increased from $50,000 by AB 626). Allowed products include baked goods, candies, jams, dried fruits, nuts, granola, and other shelf-stable items. The kitchen used must be the operator's primary home kitchen.
Operating without proper registration/permit, exceeding revenue caps, or selling non-approved food types may result in DEHQ enforcement action including fines and closure orders.
San Diego County, CA
San Diego County Code Chapter 6 (Animal Control) and the noise ordinance address barking dogs. Persistently barking dogs that disturb neighbors violate Secti...
San Diego County, CA
San Diego County Code of Regulatory Ordinances Section 36.404 sets noise limits by property zone and time of day. Residential zones: 50 dBA daytime (7 AM–10 ...
San Diego County, CA
Vehicles on public streets in unincorporated San Diego County cannot be parked for more than 72 consecutive hours. A vehicle must be moved at least 0.5 miles...
San Diego County, CA
Unincorporated San Diego County does not have a blanket overnight parking ban. The 72-hour parking rule applies. Some specific communities or HOAs may impose...
San Diego County, CA
Unincorporated San Diego County enforces the 2022 California Residential Code Section R314 (adopted under County Code Title 9, Division 1) for smoke alarms. ...
San Diego County, CA
Tree trimming in unincorporated San Diego County is required for defensible space maintenance (branches pruned to 6 feet above ground), utility clearance, an...
See how San Diego County's cottage food operations rules stack up against other locations.
Help us keep this page accurate. If you notice an error or outdated information, let us know.