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

The California Homemade Food Act (AB 1616, 2012) and AB 1240 (2013) establish a two-tier cottage food framework. Class A operations sell directly to consumers at farmers markets, from the home, or at community events with no annual revenue cap beyond the state limit of $75,000. Class B operations may sell indirectly through retail stores and restaurants. Registration or permitting is through the San Joaquin County Environmental Health Department, not the City of Stockton directly. Allowed products include baked goods, dried fruits, granola, candy, jams, honey, and other low-risk non-potentially-hazardous foods. Cottage food products must be labeled with the operators name, address, registration number, the words Homemade in California, and a list of ingredients including allergens. A food processor or kitchen certification is not required but the home kitchen must meet basic sanitation standards. AB 626 separately authorizes microenterprise home kitchen operations for cooked meal sales with a county MEHKO permit. The city business license requirement may apply depending on sales volume and method.