Application Type *

Note: For Change of Ownership, location, or remodel, submit a new application. 

Have you obtained a business license to operate as a CFO from the City/County where you intend to conduct your business? *

Business Name *

Owner Name *

Days and hours of operation (e.g., Sat: 8 am-8 pm, Sun: Closed, Mon: 8 am-8 am, etc.) *

Areas designated for CFO use (e.g., kitchen, dining room, etc.) 

Areas designated for CMFO storage and cleaning, if applicable. 

Attach proof of CMFO Home Storage Endorsement, if applicable. (Acceptable file formats: pdf, gif, jpeg, jpg, png, bmp) 

Valid, government-issued photo identification card if this is a sole proprietorship. 

Articles of Incorporation (INC)/Articles of Organization (LLC), if applicable. 

Statement of Information, if applicable. 

IRS letter assigning the Federal Employee Identification Number (Tax ID), if applicable. 

Business License 

Seller's Permit
For more information on obtaining a Business License and Seller's Permit visit here 

Address *

City *

Zip (Must be 5 digits) *

County *

Phone *

Email Address *

Website 

Mailing Address (If different) 

City 

Zip 

Water Source
Please check what type of water source will be used in the Cottage Food Facility *

Note: 
If the CFO is serviced by a private well, the water shall be tested yearly by an approved laboratory analysis to verify that it meets State water quality standards for bacteriological organisms (E. coli & total coliform) and primary inorganic chemicals (nitrate & nitrite). Approval to operate will be granted after submitting recent (within 3 months) laboratory results to this Department.

Water well test results (Acceptable file formats: pdf, gif, jpeg, jpg, png, bmp) 

Disposal of Wastewater
Please check what type of treatment is used to dispose of waste *

Note: 
In the event of septic system failure or plumbing problem, you are required to notify the local health department immediately.

Please check the items you will be preparing and/or selling. *

List all the food products by their common name (e.g., Vanilla Cookies, Orange Jam, etc.) *

Note: 
Fruit Butters, jams, jellies, and preserves: Cottage Food Operations that wish to produce fruit butters, jams, jellies, and preserves must meet the legally established standards set forth in 21 CFR Part 150. The purpose of the regulation is to maintain the integrity of the food and ensure consumers know what product they are receiving. The regulation establishes labeling requirements and limits the ingredients that may be used when producing these foods. Cottage Food Operations cannot use any ingredient not listed in 21 CFR Part 150, including low-acid ingredients such as peppers to create pepper jelly. Use of a low-acid ingredient may cause the formation of the botulism toxin in the product if proper controls are not used.

Prohibited Items
Foods that are potentially hazardous, including but not limited to creams, custards, and meat fillings, are not allowed.
Enter your initials here if you agree with the above statement. *

A sample label for each proposed product you wish to sell must be provided to this Department for review and approval.

A CFO must properly label all cottage food products in compliance with the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act, including but not limited to:

• The words "Made in a Home Kitchen" or "Repackaged in a Home Kitchen" in 12-point type on the cottage food product's primary display panel.
• The name commonly used for the food product or an adequately descriptive name.
• The name of the cottage food operation which produced the food product.
• The address of the cottage food operation which produced the food product.
• The permit number of the "Class B" cottage food operation.
• The name of the county local enforcement agency that issued the permit number.
• The ingredients of the cottage food product in descending order of predominance by weight, if the product contains two or more ingredients.
• A declaration on the label in plain language if the food contains any of the eight major food allergens such as milk, eggs, fish, shellfish, tree nuts, wheat, peanuts, sesame seeds, and soybeans. There are two approved methods prescribed by federal law for declaring the food sources of allergens in packaged foods: 1) in a separate summary statement immediately following or adjacent to the ingredient list, or 2) within the ingredient list.
• The net quantity (count, weight, or volume) of the food product, stated in both English (pound) units and metric units (grams).

 
 

Click here for an example of a sample label. 
 

Sample Label 1 *

Sample Label 2 

Sample Label 3 

Sample Label 4 

Sample Label 5 

Sample Label 6 

Beginning in January 2023, CFO operators can sell their products from up to two Compact Mobile Food Operations (CMFO) like food carts, stands, tables, or displays. CFO operators may also seek approval to store up to two CMFO food carts at home. The sales from a CMFO do not count towards a Class B CFO's gross annual sales limit stated in the California Retail Food Code.

NOTE: The gross sales limit is adjusted annually according to California Consumer Price Index (CPI). 

Please answer the questions below to see if you will need a CMFO permit.

Sales:
Do you plan to sell your approved cottage food products or other pre-packaged, non-potentially hazardous foods (non-PHF) from one or two CMFOs? *

If yes, will the CMFO display area be more than 25 Sq ft? 

Permit exemption: If you sell approved food items from a CMFO 25 sq ft or less of a display area, you are exempt from a public health permit for your food cart. The approved food items include your CFO products and other prepackaged non-PHF, like bagged chips and bottled drinks. 

Permit required: If your CMFO will have more than 25 square feet of approved food products, you will need a CMFO public health permit in addition to your CFO permit. The approved food items include your CFO products and other prepackaged non-PHF, like bagged chips and bottled drinks. 

Do you plan to store CMFO food carts in your home? 

Food Processor Course:
Within 3 months of being approved to operate by the Environmental Health Division, I must provide proof of completion of the required California Department of Public Health (CDPH) food processor course, or California Food Handler Certificate. The certificate must be renewed every 3 years. More information regarding the required training can be found here. 

Employee:
I understand that I may not have more than one full-time equivalent cottage food employee, not including a family member or household member of the cottage food operator.

Gross Annual Sales:
I understand that if my Class B CFO exceeds the gross annual sales limit stated in the California Retail Food Code, then I must obtain a permit to operate in a commercial facility.
NOTE: The gross sales limit is adjusted annually according to the California Consumer Price Index (CPI).

Compact Mobile Food Operations (Permit requirement):
I understand that if I intend to sell from a Compact Mobile Food Operation (CMFO) food cart that has more than 25 sq ft of display area for my approved CFO products, and any other pre-packaged non-potentially hazardous products, then I will be required to obtain a permit for my CMFO.

Compact Mobile Food Operations (Food Cart storage):
I understand that if I am going to store a Compact Mobile Food Operation (Food Cart) at my home, that I will need a separate Home Storage Endorsement, in addition to any other permits or licenses. I also acknowledge that I can store no more than two (2) CMFO carts at my home.

Additional acknowledgments by CFO:

• I understand as a permitted cottage food operator, the permit is valid for one year from the date of issuance and operating a CFO without a permit is a violation of the California Retail Food Code. I must renew my permit each year and operate my CFO in compliance with all applicable regulations.
• I understand that the Cottage Food Products being prepared and sold by my operation may include only non-potentially hazardous foods, limited to the foods that are described in the approved food list in the California Retail Food Code and maintained current by the California Department of Public Health (CDPH).
• I understand that my CFO must be inspected, and a permit issued prior to commencing food production and sales. Once permitted, I agree to grant access to the Health Department to conduct annual and complaint inspections within my residence in the permitted area where my CFO is located.
  NOTE: Activities related to complaint investigations may be subject to billable fees.
• I certify that I meet the requirements of the California Homemade Food Act, (AB 1616) as it pertains to a Class B Cottage Food Operation.
• I understand that a Class B Cottage Food Operation may engage in direct sales and indirect sales, and that my CFO products are only to be sold in California.
• I understand that I am responsible to ensure that all product labels meet the requirements established by the California Department of Public Health (CDPH) and the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (21 U.S.C. Sec. 343 et seq.).
• I understand that fees associated with my CFO application are nonrefundable and nontransferable.
• In addition, I agree to notify the Health Department by email at ehsfs@ph.lacounty.gov or by phone at (626) 430-5241 prior to modifying my food list or type of operation.

Upload your Cottage Food Operator Training Certificate or proof of training class registration (Acceptable file formats: pdf, gif, jpeg, jpg, png, bmp) 

Attach any additional documents below. (Acceptable file formats: pdf, gif, jpeg, jpg, png, bmp) 

 

 

Name of Business Owner *

Date Applied