Ventura has no separate cottage-food ordinance — operations are governed by California Health & Safety Code §113758 et seq. (Cottage Food Operations Act, AB 1616 of 2012 as amended by AB 1144 of 2021). Class A operations (≤$75,000 gross annual sales) require a self-certification checklist filed with the local enforcement agency; Class B (≤$150,000) requires registration plus an annual home-kitchen inspection. The local enforcement agency for Ventura is Ventura County Environmental Health, not the city. The city still requires a business tax certificate and Home Occupation Standards approval for residential operation, but cannot ban a permitted cottage food operation outright.
Cal. HSC §113758 defines a 'cottage food operation' as a registered or permitted area of a private home where the operator resides and where approved cottage foods are prepared for sale. Class A operations (≤$75,000 gross/year, sales only direct to consumer) need a self-certification checklist; Class B (≤$150,000 gross/year, allowed indirect sales through retailers) need annual local-agency registration and home-kitchen inspection (HSC §114365). The state's approved-foods list covers non-potentially-hazardous items such as baked goods without cream, candies, granola, jams, dried fruits, and roasted coffee. Operators may have only one full-time-equivalent employee outside family/household members. No food prep may occur concurrent with other domestic activity (dishwashing, laundry, guest entertainment) per §113758. In Ventura, register with Ventura County Environmental Health Division (the local enforcement agency for HSC purposes), obtain a city business tax certificate from Business Tax (805-658-4715), and comply with all Home Occupation Standards (500 sq ft cap, 1 delivery/day, no exterior signs). Local zoning cannot prohibit a cottage food operation that meets state criteria.
Operating without state-required registration is enforced by the County Environmental Health Division; operating without a city business tax certificate is enforced by the Ventura Business Tax Office. Violations of Home Occupation Standards (e.g., excess traffic, exterior signs) are enforced by Ventura Code Enforcement (805-658-4711).
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