Your San Diego County permit checklist
The apply checklist — not the statute page.
- Which permit you need — local names like HBB, MHO, CFO Class A
- Fees and where to file
- Filing checklist + saved workspace
Cottage Pro $15 one time · this county’s PDF + workspace · every other county
See a sample
The statute and county answer — what the law allows.
The apply checklist, forms, fees, and dashboard workspace for this county.
Cottage Pro, $15 one time: this county’s licensed PDF, the dashboard workspace (checklist, official links, screenshots), and other counties — download or request those PDFs when generated, plus updates. Not legal advice; we don’t file for you.
Work the guide saves you — not a page count
- Which permit you need — local names like HBB, MHO, CFO Class A
- Zoning / home occupation: where you file
- Local health Class A/B path when the county runs it
- Fee schedule — published amount only, blank if none
- House pickup vs off-site — what zoning already says
County workspace on your dashboard
After Stripe, sign in at /dashboard. The purchase unlocks official links, screenshots, and a dashboard to save your information for submission to permit authorities. We do not file with the county for you.
Cottage Pro, $15 one time: this county’s licensed PDF, the dashboard workspace (checklist, official links, screenshots), and other counties — download or request those PDFs when generated, plus updates. Independent cities are their own government.
Permit steps with the local name that office uses (HBB, MHO, CFO Class A).
Live .gov URLs and snapshots when we have them. Blank if we do not.
Your county rules. Permit checklists.
See permit information in one place. Get updates and access dashboard features as they advance.
The required disclaimer wording for this state, a sample mockup, and links to the free label pack and official examples.
Whether customers may pick up at the dwelling. Zoning is local. A food exemption does not grant porch pickup.
USDA listings for this place and neighboring counties: name, address, season or hours, and website when the directory has one. A cottage-food exemption is not a booth — you still apply to the market.
The state food list for this place. County zoning does not add a food to the state list.
Orders, payments, in-state shipping, and whether out-of-state sales are published as allowed.
Pets in the kitchen you bake in. A dedicated-kitchen rule is separate from selling pet treats.
Dog biscuits and cat treats are usually commercial feed, not cottage food. Sourced license path when we have it.
Neighboring counties are compared in a table for rules and regulations.
What you need in San Diego County — and what you do not
California CDPH (state)
Not requiredCDPH does not permit or register Cottage Food Operations. It only maintains the approved foods list.
Class A is direct sales only (up to $75,000 gross a year). Class B is direct plus indirect (up to $150,000). 2026 CPI-adjusted limits are $88,878 (Class A) and $177,756 (Class B). File Class A registration or a Class B permit with county Environmental Health.
CDPH Cottage Food Operations →California routine kitchen inspection
Not requiredNo routine state inspection for the exemption (complaint inspection may still apply).
MEHKO: initial inspection required before permit issuance; annual inspections thereafter; additional fees for justified complaint response and re-inspections. CFO Class B: pre-inspection required before permit. CFO Class A: no routine inspection; upon-complaint only.
Zoning / home occupation
Check locally$231.00Varies by city — confirm with planning before you sell.
DEHQ refers operators to city-specific permit/license requirements. For unincorporated county areas, state preemption (Gov. Code §51035) prohibits zoning restrictions on CFOs. MEHKO operators must verify HOA approval before applying.
Application portal →Local health / cottage-food registration
RequiredClass A registration or a Class B permit goes through San Diego County Environmental Health — not CDPH.
Class A is direct sales only (up to $75,000 gross a year). Class B is direct plus indirect (up to $150,000). 2026 CPI-adjusted limits are $88,878 (Class A) and $177,756 (Class B). File Class A registration or a Class B permit with county Environmental Health. MEHKO: initial inspection required before permit issuance; annual inspections thereafter; additional fees for justified complaint response and re-inspections. CFO Class B: pre-inspection required before permit. CFO Class A: no routine inspection; upon-complaint only.
Health department →Local business license
Check locallyVaries by city — confirm with the local license office.
House / porch pickup
Check locallyOn-site pickup is flagged as allowed in San Diego County — still confirm hours, parking, and HOA rules.
MEHKO permits on-site dining, pickup, and delivery by operator/staff. CFO allows in-home direct sales and online orders. State preemption bars local sales restrictions.
What San Diego County publishes for the home cottage-food path
Dollar amounts appear only when we have read them on an official page. If a cell is blank, that office has not published a flat price we can quote. Ask them before you pay. A fee that varies with sales is a percent of receipts (privilege tax / BPOL), not a sticker price. Not MEHKO, commissary, or storefront.
| Step / local name | Amount | Period | Official source | Last verified |
|---|---|---|---|---|
County Class A/B CFO registration or permit Statewide fee is set by the county. See the local health line. | — | — | Official source → | 2026-08-19 |
CFO Class A / Class B This office has not published a flat dollar amount we can quote. Ask them before you pay. | — | — | Official source → | 2026-07-29 |
CFO Class A registration (1–10 labels); Class B initial $526 / annual $361 DEHQ-FHD fee schedule effective July 10 2026. Class A is the typical cottage-baker path (direct sales). Incorporated cities often also want a city business license — amount varies by city; not filled here. | $231 | One-Time | Official source → | 2026-07-29 |
CFO Class A registration (1–10 labels); Class B initial $526 / annual $361 (renewal) | $92 | Annual | Official source → | 2026-07-29 |
Business license / BPOL This office has not published a flat dollar amount we can quote. Ask them before you pay. | — | — | Official source → | 2026-07-29 |
San Diego County permit fees, office, and timeline
Checked against DEHQ-FHD primary sources on . Fees and forms change — confirm with the office before you pay.
What it costsfee schedule effective July 10, 2026
| Permit | Fee |
|---|---|
| Class A — initial registrationIncludes review of 1–10 product labels. | $231.00 |
| Class A — annual renewal | $92.00 |
| Class B — initial permitIncludes review of 1–10 product labels. | $526.00 |
| Class B — annual renewal | $361.00 |
| Additional label reviewCharged in half-hour minimum increments beyond the first 10 labels. | DEHQ-FHD hourly rate |
Class A vs Class B
- Class A
- Direct sales only. Submit the Cottage Food Operation Registration Form plus a completed Self-Inspection Checklist — no routine county inspection.
- Class B
- Adds indirect sales through retail. Submit a Health Permit Application instead of the self-inspection checklist.
How long it takes
DEHQ-FHD notifies you of your application status within 10 business days of receiving a complete packet and payment.
Where to apply
Official forms
City rules on top of the county
- If you live in an incorporated city, include a copy of your city business license — the address on it must match your primary residence.
- These cities require DEHQ-FHD approval before they will issue the business license, so apply to the county first.Encinitas · Escondido · Imperial Beach · Lemon Grove · National City · Oceanside · San Marcos · Vista
- In unincorporated San Diego County, your CFO Registration Form must be stamped by County Planning and Development Services (PDS) before you submit it to DEHQ-FHD.
What else to bring
- Sample labels for up to 10 products, including at least one from each food category you plan to make, in Word or PDF at final size, layout, and colour.
- Food handler training certificate, due within 90 days of approval.
- Well water testing results, if your water comes from a private well.
- Products must be on the CDPH approved list under California Retail Food Code §114365.5.
What permits do I need in another county?
Cottage Pro · $15 one time
Selling in more than one county, or planning to? Every state report, every county Permit Guide, the label packet, and your dashboard permit path — one subscription, updates included.
Buy the Report — $15 one timeCrosodo compiles publicly available statutes and local rules for home cottage-food bakers. It is not legal, tax, or zoning advice and is provided without warranty. Confirm with California and San Diego County offices before you sell. Rules change.