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Apply for a cottage food operations permit

What to know before starting a CFO

A CFO is a person who owns and operates a cottage food operation in their private home. To start and run a CFO, you can apply for a permit.

  • Get and maintain a valid CFO permit;
  • We will not issue CFO permits to these entities:
    • Limited liability company (LLC)
    • Corporation (Inc.)
    • Partnership, etc
  • CFO permits are valid for one year and not transferrable.  If the operator moves, a new permit is required. 

As a CFO, you must meet certain requirements that include but are not limited to the following:

 Class AClass B
Direct SalesDirect sales only to the end user in the state.Direct sales to the end user in the state.
Indirect salesNot allowed
  • Indirect sales involving third-party retailers in the state are allowed. 
  • Third party retailers must have a valid health permit.  CFO products sold or served must be identified as made in a home kitchen, or the CFO product label must be provided to the customer.
Gross annual sales

Limited to $75,000

Subject to annual adjustment based on Consumer Price Index after 2022

Limited to $150,000 

Subject to annual adjustment based on Consumer Price Index after 2022.  For Current maximum annual sales amounts, visit the CFO program page on the state website, www.cdph.ca.gov.

Home inspectionsNo routine home inspections. Additional fees may apply for inspections conducted in response to a consumer complaint or food-borne illness investigation.One routine home inspection per year.
New operating permit application fee$446 to be submitted with your application.$446 to be submitted with your application.

Annual permit to operate

A 25% late penalty fee applies for permit renewals if payment is not received by permit expiration date.

$298 due at permit application approval.$652 due at permit application approval.
Additional fee applies if additional time is required to review revisions or resubmittals, complaint investigations, and follow-up inspections$298 per hour$298 per hour

CFOs and microenterprise home kitchen operations (MEHKOs) are different from each other. A residence may only have one CFO or one MEHKO.

 CFOMEHKO
Prepare, cook, and serve potentially hazardous foods such as meat, poultry, rice, pasta, eggs, cooked vegetables.Not allowedAllowed
All food must be prepared, cooked, and served on the same day.Not requiredRequired


More differences - and similarities - between CFOs and MEHKOs

Apply for a CFO permit

The CFO permit allows cottage food operators to make and sell approved cottage foods from their home kitchen. Follow these steps to apply for a cottage food operation permit:

  1. Submit the CFO Permit application packet, including all supporting documentation and payment of the applicable CFO Permit fee to the department.
    Qualified veterans can complete the Affidavit for a Veteran’s Permit Fee Exemption.
    We will reject incomplete applications so be sure to double-check your application package.
  2. Submit your application package to us by:
    Mail:
    In-person at our office: 1555 Berger Dr.  San Jose, CA 95112; or by email at [email protected]
  3. Once we receive your application, we will send you an invoice for the application fee. Follow the payment instructions in the invoice and pay the application fee.
  4. Once we receive your application fee payment, we will review your application within 20 business days. Applications requiring revisions may be subject to additional fees. Fees are not refundable or transferable.
  5. If we approve your CFO permit application, we will send you an invoice for the permit fee. Follow the instructions in the invoice and pay the permit fee. Once we receive your fee payment, we will issue you a permit.

 

Advertisements, claims and sales

Apply these rules to your CFO product claims, and sales.

Advertisements

Include the following in your websites, social media, newspapers, newsletters, and other channels:

  • The county of approval
  • Permit number
  • A statement that the food is “Made in a home kitchen” or “Repackaged in a home kitchen,” as applicable.

 

Product claims 

These rules apply to both the CFO products and their ingredients.

Sales and delivery

  • To sell at locations other than your home, you need to secure additional permits. Get permits to sell at community events and certified farmers' market.  
  • Cottage food products may be delivered to customers in person or through a third-party delivery service. Transactions and deliveries are limited to the state.