Two-tier (Class A/B). Separate MEHKO program (SB 972/AB 1144) allows full home meal service in opt-in counties. Local zoning preempted: GOV §51035.
Sources
Where to verify California's rules
Statute / regulation
leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/codes_displaySection.xhtml?lawCode=HSC§ionNum=113758
California Department of Public Health
cdph.ca.gov/Programs/CEH/DFDCS/CDPH%20Document%20Library/FDB/FoodSafetyProgram/Cottage%20Food%20Operations/CFO_Faq.pdf
Forrager state guide
forrager.com/law/california/
Cooperative Extension
ucanr.edu/site/agriculture-ombudsperson/cottage-food-operations
Additional resource
forrager.com/law/california-microenterprise-home-kitchen-operation/
Additional resource
leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/codes_displaySection.xhtml?lawCode=GOV§ionNum=51035
By Locality
California Counties
43 counties tracked. Pick yours for the local zoning + health department links.
Los Angeles County
Los Angeles
9.94M
San Diego County
San Diego
3.29M
Orange County
Santa Ana
3.18M
Riverside County
Riverside
2.43M
San Bernardino County
San Bernardino
2.18M
Santa Clara County
San Jose
1.92M
Alameda County
Oakland
1.66M
Sacramento County
—
1.58M
Contra Costa County
Martinez
1.16M
Fresno County
Fresno
1.01M
Kern County
Bakersfield
907K
San Francisco County
San Francisco
851K
Ventura County
Ventura
842K
San Joaquin County
Stockton
779K
San Mateo County
Redwood City
754K
Stanislaus County
Modesto
552K
Sonoma County
Santa Rosa
488K
Tulare County
Visalia
473K
Solano County
Fairfield
451K
Santa Barbara County
Santa Barbara
445K
Monterey County
Salinas
438K
Placer County
Auburn
407K
Merced County
Merced
282K
San Luis Obispo County
San Luis Obispo
282K
Santa Cruz County
Santa Cruz
269K
Marin County
San Rafael
260K
Yolo County
Woodland
217K
Butte County
Oroville
214K
El Dorado County
Placerville
192K
Shasta County
Redding
182K
Imperial County
El Centro
180K
Madera County
Madera
157K
Kings County
Hanford
153K
Napa County
Napa
137K
Humboldt County
Eureka
136K
Nevada County
Nevada City
102K
Sutter County
Yuba City
99K
Mendocino County
Ukiah
91K
Yuba County
Marysville
82K
Lake County
Lakeport
68K
Tehama County
Red Bluff
65K
San Benito County
Hollister
65K
Tuolumne County
Sonora
55K
Major cities
City zoning rules in California
City zoning rules apply on top of the state cottage food law — home occupation, customer pickup, signage, and employees.
Los Angeles
American Legal Publishing
San Diego
Municode
San Jose
Municode
San Francisco
American Legal Publishing
Sacramento
American Legal Publishing
Important
Cottage food laws are amended every year. This is a starting reference, not legal advice. Verify with California Department of Public Health and your local health department before relying on this data.