Cottage food law & license in San Bernardino County, CA
Reviewed · Guide (PDF) emailed after checkout · Yours to keep
San Bernardino County Permits 101 for San Bernardino County, California (82 pages). After you pay, you get lifetime access to premium dashboard features. Unlock the permit planning workspace on your dashboard.
California cottage food — common first products
County zoning cannot expand a state ban. Check the product, then the local rules on this page.
What's in the San Bernardino County permit report
How to start in San Bernardino County
Permit, label, and local steps for selling under California cottage food rules in San Bernardino County. Not legal advice.
Confirm your menu under state law
California cottage food rules control what you may make at home (Only foods on the official state-approved foods list may be sold; this includes most non-perishable foods such as baked goods, jams and preserves, candies, chocolates, dried goods, and spices. Class A operations are limited to direct sales (including online and shipping within California); Class B operations may additionally sell through retail stores and restaurants.). San Bernardino County cannot expand a food the state bans.
Map channels and local sales rules
State sales cap: Tiered (see notes). On-site / porch pickup in San Bernardino County: Yes. Prefer markets or off-site pickup if residential customer traffic is restricted.
Local permits, tax, and home occupation
Home occupation permit: Yes. Many places still need a general business license or tax certificate even when the state has no cottage food “permit.” Check planning, the clerk, and any HOA or lease before advertising your address.
Training, registration, inspection
State registration: Yes. Local inspection in San Bernardino County: Conditional. Finish food handler training early — markets often ask for a copy.
Labels that match the state
Print labels with California disclaimer and allergen rules before market day. Use the free California label page for the one-pager checklist and mockup.
Insurance and first sales
Farmers markets often require a certificate of insurance. Soft-launch with pre-orders, keep a sales log, and re-verify rules if you change products or venues.
What usually goes on the package
- Product name (common or usual name of the food)
- Business or producer name
- Producer address (or address alternative your state allows)
- Ingredients in descending order by weight
- Major allergen disclosures (e.g. wheat, milk, eggs, soy, tree nuts, peanuts, fish, shellfish, sesame)
- Net weight or quantity
- Home-kitchen disclaimer: “Made in a Home Kitchen”
Planning checklist only. Confirm with state and local agencies before you sell.
San Bernardino County is a top-50 county by population in California (pop. 2,180,563). Under California's Good-tier cottage food law (sales cap: Tiered (see notes)), home bakers must still clear local zoning and health rules in this county. Registration path: Yes. Start with California Department of Public Health (state cottage food page linked below), then confirm San Bernardino County health and planning requirements via the health department links on this page. Local notes for San Bernardino County: home kitchen allowed; inspection not required; home occupation permit required. San Bernardino County is notable for requiring planning/zoning approval BEFORE submitting the EHS registration application — both incorporated and unincorporated area operators must obtain this. For unincorporated areas, the requirement is an 'Exemption Letter' from County Code Enforcement (not a full permit). Food processor training required within 90 days of EHS approval. EHS has three office locations (San Bernardino, Hesperia, Rancho Cucamonga). Download the free reports below for a portable summary, and always re-check official sources before you sell.
San Bernardino County permit fees, office, and timeline
Checked against San Bernardino County EHS primary sources on . Fees and forms change — confirm with the office before you pay.
Class A vs Class B
- Class A
- Registration only. EHS will not inspect your home unless they receive a complaint about food prepared in your kitchen.
- Class B
- An inspector arranges to meet you at your residence and check the kitchen and storage areas before you may prepare any cottage food. If it does not meet requirements you must make corrections first.
Where to apply
City rules on top of the county
- Every San Bernardino County CFO needs approval from its local city planning department before EHS will register or permit it.
- If you live outside the limits of any incorporated area, you also need approval from San Bernardino County Code Enforcement plus a Home Occupation permit.
What else to bring
- Submit the application with the self-certification checklist and fee to any of the three EHS offices, or by customer service email.
- Food processor course within 90 days of application approval; the certificate is valid three years and must be renewed.
- Not more than one full-time-equivalent cottage food employee, not counting family or household members.
- Registration is nontransferable and valid only for the named person, location, food type, and distribution activity.
San Bernardino County cottage food reports
Home cottage-food permit stack — zoning, health, license, and what the state does not require.
Zoning, permits, health department rules, and local sources for San Bernardino County.
Download county report
Full California License & Permit Guide (189 pages). Statute, all counties, and official source links.
Tier: Good
California has a Good-tier cottage food law — solid baseline with moderate restrictions, typically a high sales cap (often $50K+) and standard direct-to-consumer rules. Workable for most home bakers with reasonable scale plans.
California cottage food law →Health department
Many states delegate cottage food registration and inspection to the county health department. Contact theirs for the local process.
Home occupation rules
The county or city zoning code governs whether you can run a home-based food business — customer visits, signage, employees, floor area.
Home kitchen, inspection, and zoning rules for San Bernardino County
State baseline: Cal. Health & Safety Code §113758
- Home kitchen allowed
- Yes
- Restrictions
- San Bernardino County Environmental Health Services (EHS) administers CFO Class A and Class B registrations/permits. All CFOs must first obtain local planning/zoning approval: for incorporated areas, a Home Occupation Permit from the city planning department; for unincorporated areas, an Exemption Letter from San Bernardino County Code Enforcement Services. No MEHKO opt-in confirmed for San Bernardino County as of research date.
- Separate dedicated kitchen
- No
- Pet restrictions
- State baseline applies
- Water supply
- State baseline applies
- Handwashing
- State baseline applies
- Food storage
- State baseline applies
- Inspection required
- Conditional
- Inspection trigger
- Class A: no routine inspection; inspection only upon complaint. Class B: initial inspection before permit issuance; annual inspection thereafter.
- Home occupation permit
- Yes
- Permit details
- All CFOs in San Bernardino County must obtain planning/zoning approval before EHS registration. In incorporated cities: a Home Occupation Permit and business license from the city planning department. In unincorporated county areas: an Exemption Letter from San Bernardino County Code Enforcement Services. Requirements vary by jurisdiction.
- Local business license
- Yes
- On-site customer pickup
- Yes
- On-site signage
- Conditional
- Delivery / pickup
- Direct/indirect sales within California only; state baseline applies. Up to 1 full-time equivalent employee (not family/household member) allowed.
- Max employees in home
- 1 full-time equivalent (not counting family/household members) — state baseline
- Relevant code section
- San Bernardino County Code Enforcement Services (Exemption Letter requirement for unincorporated areas); EHS CFO program documentation
San Bernardino County is notable for requiring planning/zoning approval BEFORE submitting the EHS registration application — both incorporated and unincorporated area operators must obtain this. For unincorporated areas, the requirement is an 'Exemption Letter' from County Code Enforcement (not a full permit). Food processor training required within 90 days of EHS approval. EHS has three office locations (San Bernardino, Hesperia, Rancho Cucamonga).
California Homemade Food Act (AB 1616, amended AB 1144/AB 831)
Full California License & Permit Guide →Verbatim excerpt(a) "Cottage food operation" means an enterprise that has no more than the amount in gross annual sales that is specified in this subdivision, is operated by a cottage food operator, and has no more than one full-time equivalent cottage food employee, not including a family member or household member of the cottage food operator, within the registered or permitted area of a private home where the cottage food operator resides and where cottage food products are prepared or packaged for direct, indirect, or direct and indirect sale to consumers pursuant to this part. A "Class A" cottage food operation shall not have more than seventy-five thousand dollars ($75,000) in verifiable gross annual sales. A "Class B" cottage food operation shall not have more than one hundred fifty thousand dollars ($150,000) in verifiable gross annual sales. The gross annual sales for a "Class A" or "Class B" cottage food operation shall be annually adjusted for inflation based on the California Consumer Price Index. (1) A "Class A" cottage food operation, which is a cottage food operation that may engage only in direct sales of cottage food products from the cottage food operation or other direct sales venues. (2) A "Class B" cottage food operation, which is a cottage food operation that may engage in both direct sales and indirect sales of cottage food products from the cottage food operation, from direct sales venues, from offsite events, or from a third-party retail food facility. (3) "Cottage food products" means nonpotentially hazardous foods, including foods that are described in Section 114365.5 and that are prepared for sale in the kitchen of a cottage food operation. (4) "Direct sale" means a transaction within the state between a cottage food operation and a consumer, in which the consumer purchases the cottage food product directly from the cottage food operation. Direct sales include, but are not limited to, transactions at holiday bazaars or other temporary events, such as bake sales or food swaps, transactions at farm stands, certified farmers' markets, or through community-supported agriculture subscriptions.
Source: leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/codes_displaySection.xhtml?lawCode=HSC§ionNum=113758 →
San Bernardino County Permit Guide $26
This page stays free — the San Bernardino County statute, zoning notes, and official links. Permit Guide 101 is the paid packet (82 pages): the home cottage-food permit stack (zoning, health, and business license), the checklist, and the dashboard workspace. That packet is not on this free page.
San Bernardino County cottage food — FAQ
Do I need a permit to sell cottage food in San Bernardino County, California?
Home occupation permit: Yes. All CFOs in San Bernardino County must obtain planning/zoning approval before EHS registration. In incorporated cities: a Home Occupation Permit and business license from the city planning department. In unincorporated county areas: an Exemption Letter from San Bernardino County Code Enforcement Services. Requirements vary by jurisdiction. State cottage food registration may also apply — check the California guide at https://crosodo.com/states/california.
Is a health inspection required for home bakers in San Bernardino County?
Inspection: Conditional. Trigger: Class A: no routine inspection; inspection only upon complaint. Class B: initial inspection before permit issuance; annual inspection thereafter.. Non-TCS baked goods are often exempt from kitchen inspection under state cottage food law, but local rules can differ.
What foods can I sell under California cottage food law in San Bernardino County?
Only foods on the official state-approved foods list may be sold; this includes most non-perishable foods such as baked goods, jams and preserves, candies, chocolates, dried goods, and spices. Class A operations are limited to direct sales (including online and shipping within California); Class B operations may additionally sell through retail stores and restaurants. County zoning does not expand the state product list — if a food is banned by California, it stays banned. Verify with the state agency before selling.
What is the sales cap for cottage food in California?
California state law lists cottage food sales at Tiered (see notes). There is typically no separate county sales cap, but local permits or zoning can still limit operations.
Do I need a home occupation permit in San Bernardino County?
Home occupation permit: Yes. All CFOs in San Bernardino County must obtain planning/zoning approval before EHS registration. In incorporated cities: a Home Occupation Permit and business license from the city planning department. In unincorporated county areas: an Exemption Letter from San Bernardino County Code Enforcement Services. Requirements vary by jurisdiction.
The free county page is the short version. This is the full California License & Permit Guide (189 pages) — statute, every county we have researched, and official source URLs. Stripe checkout. Cover letter, paid receipt, and the guide (PDF) licensed to your address.
Unlimited Pass. Your journey to getting permitted for cottage food sales. Premium dashboard tools, unlimited state and county reports, and the 50-state label report. Lifetime access. Includes the full California License & Permit Guide (189 pages).
Where to verify San Bernardino County rules
San Bernardino County vs. bordering counties
| Regulation | San Bernardino County This county | Riverside County | Orange County |
|---|---|---|---|
| Home kitchen allowed | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Separate dedicated kitchen | No | No | No |
| Pets allowed | State baseline applies | State baseline applies | State baseline applies |
| Inspection required | Conditional | Conditional | Conditional |
| On-site customer pickup | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| On-site signage | Conditional | Conditional | Conditional |
| Delivery / pickup | Direct/indirect sales within California only; state baseline applies. Up to 1 full-time equivalent employee (not family/household member) a… | Direct/indirect sales within California only. State baseline applies. Operator may hire up to 1 full-time employee. | Direct and indirect sales fulfilled in person, via mail, or third-party delivery within California only. Operator may hire up to 1 full-tim… |
| Home occupation permit | Yes | Varies by city | Varies by city |
| Local business license | Yes | Varies by city | Varies by city |
| Restrictions | San Bernardino County Environmental Health Services (EHS) administers CFO Class A and Class B registrations/permits. All CFOs must first ob… | Riverside University Health System – Environmental Health administers CFO Class A and Class B registrations/permits. No MEHKO opt-in confir… | Orange County Environmental Health administers CFO Class A (direct sales, no inspection) and Class B (indirect/retail, annual inspection) r… |
| Food storage | State baseline applies | State baseline applies | Food may only be made and stored in the kitchen and an attached storage room used only for the home operation (state baseline). |
| Population | 2,180,563 | 2,429,487 | 3,175,227 |
San Bernardino County baker discussion
53 public threads from bakers talking about San Bernardino County — permits, zoning, markets, and what's selling. Read along or sign in to post.
Other California counties
Resources for cottage food and home bakers
Supplies, courses, insurance, farmers markets, kitchen rentals, and local services. To advertise here, visit crosodo.com/advertise. Browse all classifieds.
Advertise here
Packaging, labels, baking tools, bulk ingredients, and equipment for cottage food operators. Reach home bakers across the country.
crosodo.com/advertiseAdvertise here
Baking classes, cottage food business training, workshops, and food safety education. Reach home bakers across the country.
crosodo.com/advertiseAdvertise here
Product liability, home bakery, market vendor, and small food business insurance. Reach home bakers across the country.
crosodo.com/advertiseAdvertise in San Bernardino County, California
Reach home bakers in San Bernardino County, California. Supply stores, farmers markets, kitchen rentals, co-packer referrals, and bakery services are welcome.
Learn about placementsYour business here
Local cottage food listings, community kitchens, farmers market dates, and non-profit events can be submitted for review.
Post in the local discussionAds are paid placements. Crosodo does not endorse listed vendors. Verify all product, service, course, insurance, and legal information independently.
Cottage food law and municipal zoning interact in non-obvious ways. Before investing in equipment or marketing, talk to California's department of agriculture, your local health department, and your county or city's planning office. Crosodo is a clothing brand for cottage bakers, not a law firm.
Local bakers discuss zoning, permits, top sellers, sourdough, farmers markets, and more in the Crosodo forum.