Cottage food laws in Shasta County, CA
How to start in Shasta County
Permit, label, and local steps for selling under California cottage food rules in Shasta 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.). Shasta 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 Shasta County: Yes. Prefer markets or off-site pickup if residential customer traffic is restricted.
Local permits, tax, and home occupation
Home occupation permit: Conditional. 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 Shasta County: No. 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.
Shasta County is a county in California (pop. 181,852). 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 Shasta County health and planning requirements. Local notes for Shasta County: home kitchen allowed; inspection not required; home occupation permit not required. California has a two-tier system (Class A/Class B) with county-level permit processing. Sales caps are CPI-adjusted annually (~$86,206 for Class A, ~$172,411 for Class B as of 2025). Shasta County is a smaller rural county; Class B inspection may be less common than in larger counties. MEHKO program (home meal service) operates separately and cannot run simultaneously with CFO. Download the free PDF reports below for a portable summary, and always re-check official sources before you sell.
Shasta County cottage food reports
Zoning, permits, health department rules, and local sources for Shasta County.
Download county PDF
Full statute, all counties in California, and official source links.
Download state PDFTier: 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 Shasta County
State baseline: Cal. Health & Safety Code §113758
- Home kitchen allowed
- Yes
- Restrictions
- Class A: direct sales only, ~$86,206 annual cap (CPI-adjusted 2025). Class B: direct and indirect sales, ~$172,411 annual cap, requires home kitchen inspection. Must register with local county environmental health department. Food safety training (ANSI-accredited, every 3 years) required. Only state-approved foods list permitted.
- Separate dedicated kitchen
- No
- Pet restrictions
- Pets not allowed in food prep areas; assessed during Class B inspection.
- Water supply
- Potable water supply; inspected during Class B registration.
- Handwashing
- Adequate handwashing facilities required; assessed during Class B inspection.
- Food storage
- Non-potentially hazardous foods stored in clean, sanitary conditions.
- Inspection required
- No
- Inspection trigger
- Class A: no initial inspection. Class B: inspection required before registration. Complaint-based inspections possible for both.
- Home occupation permit
- Conditional
- Permit details
- California Gov. Code §51035 preempts local zoning restrictions on cottage food operations. Shasta County Environmental Health handles Class A and Class B CFO registrations. Local zoning cannot restrict qualifying cottage food operations. Shasta County permit fees and specific registration process managed by Shasta County Environmental Health Department.
- Local business license
- Varies
- On-site customer pickup
- Yes
- On-site signage
- Conditional
- Delivery / pickup
- Class A: direct sales only within California (including online with in-state shipping). Class B: direct and indirect sales (retail stores, restaurants) within California. No interstate sales.
- Max employees in home
- Only one non-family employee permitted.
- Relevant code section
- Cal. Health & Safety Code §113758; Shasta County Environmental Health cottage food registration
California has a two-tier system (Class A/Class B) with county-level permit processing. Sales caps are CPI-adjusted annually (~$86,206 for Class A, ~$172,411 for Class B as of 2025). Shasta County is a smaller rural county; Class B inspection may be less common than in larger counties. MEHKO program (home meal service) operates separately and cannot run simultaneously with CFO.
California Homemade Food Act (AB 1616, amended AB 1144/AB 831)
Full California state report (with PDF download) →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 →
Shasta County cottage food — FAQ
Do I need a permit to sell cottage food in Shasta County, California?
Home occupation permit: Conditional. California Gov. Code §51035 preempts local zoning restrictions on cottage food operations. Shasta County Environmental Health handles Class A and Class B CFO registrations. Local zoning cannot restrict qualifying cottage food operations. Shasta County permit fees and specific registration process managed by Shasta County Environmental Health Department. 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 Shasta County?
Inspection: No. Trigger: Class A: no initial inspection. Class B: inspection required before registration. Complaint-based inspections possible for both.. 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 Shasta 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 Shasta County?
Home occupation permit: Conditional. California Gov. Code §51035 preempts local zoning restrictions on cottage food operations. Shasta County Environmental Health handles Class A and Class B CFO registrations. Local zoning cannot restrict qualifying cottage food operations. Shasta County permit fees and specific registration process managed by Shasta County Environmental Health Department.
Where to verify Shasta County rules
Shasta County vs. bordering counties
| Regulation | Shasta County This county | Tehama County | Lassen County |
|---|---|---|---|
| Home kitchen allowed | Yes | Yes | True |
| Separate dedicated kitchen | No | No | False |
| Pets allowed | Pets not allowed in food prep areas; assessed during Class B inspection. | Pets should be excluded during food preparation per food safety training and good manufacturing practice | No specific county rule; CDPH guidance recommends pets excluded from food prep area during production |
| Inspection required | No | No | Class A: complaint-based only; Class B: annual inspection by county Environmental Health |
| On-site customer pickup | Yes | Yes | True |
| On-site signage | Conditional | Conditional | No commercial signage per typical CA home occupation rules; state law preempts restrictions on cottage food sales |
| Delivery / pickup | Class A: direct sales only within California (including online with in-state shipping). Class B: direct and indirect sales (retail stores, … | Class A: direct sales only including online and shipping within California. Class B: direct and indirect including retail stores and restau… | Direct sales and delivery within California only; no interstate sales per state law |
| Home occupation permit | Conditional | Conditional | True |
| Local business license | Varies | Varies | County unincorporated areas generally do not require a county business license; City of Susanville may require city business license |
| Restrictions | Class A: direct sales only, ~$86,206 annual cap (CPI-adjusted 2025). Class B: direct and indirect sales, ~$172,411 annual cap, requires hom… | Class A (direct sales only): up to ~$86,206/year; Class B (direct and indirect): up to ~$172,411/year with home inspection required. Food s… | — |
| Food storage | Non-potentially hazardous foods stored in clean, sanitary conditions. | Non-PHF shelf-stable foods only; approved foods list required | Standard food safety storage per CDPH approved foods list; all products must be non-potentially hazardous |
| Population | 181,852 | 65,484 | 31,873 |
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