\\sdfileserver\Planning Forms\Cottage Food Operation Application.doc
Cottage Food Operations
Background
Assembly Bill 1616, which became effective January 2013, allows individuals to operate food based
businesses from their residential kitchens, known as Cottage Food Operations (CFO). Individuals who own
and run these home-based businesses will be known as Cottage Food Operators. Operators are allowed to
prepare certain State-approved foods, known as Cottage Foods, and sell their products both off-site and
directly from their homes.
Permitting and Other Requirements
Prior to submitting a City of San Dimas Cottage Food Operation Application, individuals must first register
their CFO with the County of Los Angeles Public Health Department. For registration requirements and
additional information such as sanitary requirements, approved cottage foods and labeling requirements,
please visit the County of Los Angeles Public Health website at www.publichealth.lacounty.gov/eh and the
California Department of Public Health website at www.cdph.ca.gov.
Definitions
1. “Class A” CFOs means a CFO that may engage only in “Direct Sales” of cottage food products from
the CFO or other direct sale venues.
2. “Class B” CFOs means a CFO that may engage in both “Direct Sales” and “Indirect Sales” of cottage
food products from the CFO, from direct sales venues, from off-site events, or from a third-party
retail food facility.
3. “Cottage Food Employee” means an individual, paid or volunteer, who is involved in the preparation,
packaging, handling, and storage of a cottage food product, or otherwise works for the CFO. An
employee does not include an immediate family member or household member of the cottage food
operator.
4. “Cottage Food Operation” means an enterprise that is operated by a cottage food operator in a
Private Home, classified as a Class “A” or “B”, and has not more than one full-time employee, not
including a family member or household member(s) of the cottage food operator, where cottage
food products are prepared or packaged for direct or indirect sale to consumers.
5. “Cottage Food Operator” means an individual who operates a CFO in his or her Private Home and is
the owner of the CFO.
6. “Cottage Food Products” means non-potentially hazardous foods that are prepared for sale in the
kitchen of an approved CFO. Foods containing cream, custard or meat fillings are potentially
hazardous and are not allowed.
7. “Direct Sales” means a transaction between a CFO operator and a consumer, where the consumer
purchases cottage food products made by the CFO. Direct sales include, but are not limited to,
transactions at holiday bazaars or other temporary events, such as bake sales or food swaps,
certified farmer’s markets, and transactions occurring in person at the Private Home where the CFO
conducts business.
8. “Indirect Sales” means an interaction between a CFO, a third-party retailer, and a consumer, where
the consumer purchases cottage food products made by the CFO from a third-party retailer. Indirect
sales include, but are not limited to, sales made to retail shops or to retail food facilities where food
may be consumed on the premises.
