Sell food you make at home

You can only make food from home that you sell to others if it is on the state's approved list.

When you apply for your permit, you will be asked for:

• What food you will make  
• Where, when, and how you will make it
• Every ingredient in the recipe (which will be listed on a proposed food label)
• Written Operation Procedures for EACH recipe you are submitting. Please note, a maximum of 8 recipes may be submitted.
• Product Label with appropriate information for EACH recipe you are submitting

View the list of approved "cottage" foods in California.

Written Operational Procedures for Cottage Food Operation

Example Label for Cottage Food Operation

You need to give a copy of your business registration with your application.

Register your business.

To prepare food that you sell to others, you need to have a food handler's certificate. 

The online class to get this food safety certification is short. You just have to:

• Complete the class
• Pass an online test based on the material

You get your card right away after you pass the test.

Your application has to include a floor plan of your space.

This should be on 8.5-inch by 11-inch paper and include your:

• Living areas
• Kitchen, food preparation, and food storage areas
• Square footage of kitchen space
• Total square footage of living space

The first page of the application packet has a checklist of all the forms you need to fill out. These include:

• Food permit application
• Zoning referral
• Declaration of safe and healthy working conditions

Use the checklist to make sure you are including everything you need with your application.