- Home occupation permit required:
- Yes
- Details:
- Monterey County Environmental Health requires Class A or Class B CFO application. In addition, local city or county planning approval required. Operators in unincorporated areas must obtain county planning/zoning approval; those in incorporated cities (Salinas, Monterey, etc.) must comply with city-specific rules. State law (GOV §51035) preempts local zoning restrictions on CFOs.
- Home kitchen:
- California cottage food law (Cal. Health & Safety Code §113758) allows Class A (direct sales only) and Class B (direct and indirect sales including retail/wholesale/mail order) operations. Monterey County Environmental Health administers CFO applications. Class A: products cannot be sold to retail food facilities, wholesale, or by mail order; internet sales must be picked up or delivered in person within county. Class B: can be sold to retail food facilities, wholesale, or by mail order, but products cannot be sold out-of-state; internet sales must be picked up or delivered in person within county. Annual sales caps (state, inflation-adjusted): Class A ~$86,206; Class B ~$172,411 (2025). Food safety training required.
Last verified 2026-05-05. Not legal advice.
