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Business permits and other requirements in the City of Alameda (Alameda County) for business types:

  • Cottage Food Operation  
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Business License - Business Tax Certificate
city

Required for all entities doing business within city limits. See "County Unincorporated" for businesses located outside of city limits.


applies to:
Cottage Food Operation

City of Alameda
Finance Department
2263 Santa Clara Ave, Room 230
Alameda, CA, 94501
Phone: 510-747-4851
website
For Office Locations... application
Home Occupation Permit
city

Required for home-based businesses

agency note:
If you are working from home or in an area zoned Residential, you will need a Home Occupation Permit. For additional information, please see the forms below or contact the Permit Center at (510) 747-6800.

applies to:
Cottage Food Operation

City of Alameda
Planning Division
2263 Santa Clara Avenue, Room 190
Alameda, CA, 94501
Phone: 510-747-6800
Fax: 510-865-4053
website
For Office Locations... application
Land Use Permit/Zoning Clearance
city

Example: zone change, variance, conditional use permit. Required if business located within incorporated city limits.

agency note:
The Planning Department combines all operations related to zoning planning design review and historic preservation.

applies to:
Cottage Food Operation

City of Alameda
Planning Division
Zoning and Design Review
2263 Santa Clara Avenue, Room 190
Alameda, CA, 94501
Phone: 510-747-6805
website
For Office Locations... application
Cottage Food Operation Registration Permit
county

There are two classifications of operators. “Class A” CFOs are only allowed to engage in “direct sales” of cottage food. “Class B” CFO’s may engage in both “direct sales” and “indirect sales” of cottage food. Application applies to both Class A and B Cottage Food Operations. All cottage food operations must be registered or permitted by their local environmental health agency before commencing business.


applies to:
Cottage Food Operation

County of Alameda
Department of Environmental Health
1131 Harbor Bay Parkway
Alameda, CA, 94502
Phone: 510-567-6700
website
For Office Locations... application
Cottage Food Operation Self Certification Checklist
county

“Class A” cottage food operations must submit a completed self-certification checklist approved by the local environmental health agency when they submit their registration application. “Class B” operations must submit a permit application and be inspected prior to obtaining a permit from the local environmental health agency.


applies to:
Cottage Food Operation

County of Alameda
Environmental Health Department
1131 Harbor Bay Parkway
Alameda, CA, 94502
Phone: 510-567-6700
website
For Office Locations... application
Fictitious Business Name - Doing Business As Statement
county

A Fictitious Business Name (FBN) or Doing Business As (DBA) statement is required when the business name does not include the surname of the individual owner(s) and each of the partners; or the business name suggests the existence of additional owners; or the nature of the business in not clearly evident by the name of the business. For example Bill Smith and Sons Plumbing would require a FBN because the name implies additional owners, Bill Smith Plumbing does not require a FBN. Bill Smith Industries would require a FBN because it does not identify the nature of the business.


applies to:
Cottage Food Operation

County of Alameda
Alameda County Clerk Recorder
Fictitious Business Name
1106 Madison Street
Oakland, CA, 94607
Phone: 510-272-6362
website
For Office Locations... application
Temporary Food Facility / Special Events Permit
county

Temporary Food Facilities (TFF) or food booths are food operations that operate at approved public events. A health permit is required to operate a TFF whenever food or beverage (unpackaged or prepackaged) is sampled, sold, prepared, or given away to the public. Permitted operations are inspected by the Department of Environmental Health.


applies to:
Cottage Food Operation

County of Alameda
Environmental Health Department
1131 Harbor Bay Parkway
Alameda, CA, 94502
Phone: 510-567-6700
website
For Office Locations... application
Cottage Food Labeling Requirements
state

Cottage food products are required to be labeled in accordance with specific state and federal labeling regulations. This list of labeling requirements is intended to assist cottage food operations (CFOs) in complying with basic labeling laws and regulations.

agency note:
Consult County for local labeling requirements

applies to:
Cottage Food Operation

State of California
Department of Public Health
1615 Capitol Ave
Sacramento, CA, 95814
Phone: 916-650-6500
website
For Office Locations... application
Cottage Food Operator Training
state

AB 1616 requires that any person who prepares or packages cottage food complete a food processor course within three months of becoming registered or permitted to retain as proof that you completed the required training. You must present a copy of this card or certificate for each person involved in preparing cottage foods to your local county enforcement agency upon their request, to verify that the training requirement has been completed.

agency note:
Any person who prepares or packages cottage food must complete a food processor course within three months of becoming registered or permitted and every three years during operation. The California Department of Public Health (CDPH) has identified training that you may take that will satisfy the training requirement specified in California Health and Safety Code section 114365.2(d).

applies to:
Cottage Food Operation

State of California
Department of Public Health
1500 Capitol Ave
P.O. Box 997435
Sacramento, CA, 95899
Phone: 916-650-6500
website
For Office Locations... application
Registration Form for Employers
state

Required to file a registration form within 15 days after paying more than $100.00 in wages to one or more employees. No distinction is made between full-time and part-time or permanent and temporary employees in meeting this requirement.

agency note:
A CFO can only have ONE full-time equivalent employee (not counting family members or household members).

applies to:
Cottage Food Operation

Employment Development Department
Employment Tax Customer Service Office
P.O. Box 2068
Rancho Cordova, CA, 95741
Phone: 888-745-3886
website
For Office Locations... application
Sales & Use Permit (Seller's Permit)
state

All businesses selling or leasing tangible property must obtain a Seller's Permit.

agency note:
For Additional information about RESALE CERTIFICATE go to this website: www.boe.ca.gov/sutax/faqresale.htm

applies to:
Cottage Food Operation

Department of Tax and Fee Administration
Sales/Use Tax Division
PO Box 942879
Sacramento, CA, 94279
Phone: 800-400-7115
website
For Office Locations... application
State Income Tax Information
state

Businesses should obtain the appropriate State income tax forms from the Franchise Tax Board.

agency note:
All businesses are required to submit a Business Income Tax statement annually.

applies to:
Cottage Food Operation

Franchise Tax Board
Business Entities Division
PO Box 1468
Sacramento, CA, 95812
Phone: 800-338-0505
website
For Office Locations... application
Wage/Hour Laws
state

Businesses with employees must comply with laws establishing minimum standards for wages, hours and working conditions.


applies to:
Cottage Food Operation

Department of Industrial Relations
Labor Commissioner's Office
1515 Clay Street, STE 401, Oakland, CA, 94612
Oakland, CA, 94612
Phone: 510-285-3502
Fax: 510-286-1366
website
For Office Locations... application
Workers' Compensation Information
state

Businesses with employees must maintain Workers' Compensation Insurance coverage on either a self-insured basis, or provided through a commercial carrier, or the State Workers' Compensation Insurance Fund.

agency note:
A CFO can only have ONE full-time equivalent employee (not counting family members or household members).

applies to:
Cottage Food Operation

Department of Industrial Relations
2115 Civic Center Drive. Suite 15
Redding, CA, 96001
Phone: 530-225-2845
website
For Office Locations... application
Employer Identification Number (EIN or SSN)
federal

Employers with employees, business partnerships, and corporations, must obtain an Employer Identification Number from the I.R.S. Businesses can obtain appropriate Federal income tax forms from this location.


applies to:
Cottage Food Operation

U.S. Department of Treasury
Internal Revenue Service
1301 Clay Street, 110S
Oakland, CA, 94612
Phone: 800-829-4933
website
For Office Locations... application
Proof of Residency Requirement
federal

Employees hired after November 6, 1986 must provide proof of eligibility to work in the United States.

agency note:
A CFO can only have ONE full-time equivalent employee (not counting family members or household members).

applies to:
Cottage Food Operation

U.S. Immigration and Naturalization Service
San Francisco Field Office
444 Washington Street
San Francisco,, CA, 94111
Phone: 800-375-5283
website
For Office Locations... application
Filter Permits & Licenses
Level of Government:
all none
California Homemade Food Act Information

Frequently Asked Questions - FAQ


applies to:
Cottage Food Operation

California Conference of Directors of Environmental Health
Department of Environmental Health
1029 K Street, Suite 24
Sacramento, CA, 95814
Phone: 916-448-1015
Fax: 916-448-7176
website
Certified Farmers' Market - County Guidelines

A Certified Farmers' Market sells certified produce that was produced by certified producers and/or non-certifiable products. Certifiable agricultural products include fresh fruits, nuts, vegetables, shell eggs, honey, flowers, and nursery stock. Non-certifiable agricultural products include all certified agricultural products that have been processed, livestock (including rabbits) and livestock products, fish and shellfish produced under controlled conditions in water or ponds located in California.


applies to:
Cottage Food Operation

County of Alameda
Department of Agriculture
224 W. Winton Ave. Room 184
Hayward, CA, 94544
Phone: 510-670-5232
Fax: 510-783-3928
website
Certified Farmers' Market Program - State Guideline

If you are interested in opening a Certified Farmers Market, or in becoming a Certified Producer, please contact the county office in which the market is located or in which you wish to sell your commodity.


applies to:
Cottage Food Operation

State of California
Department of Food and Agriculture
1220 N Street
Sacramento, CA, 95814
Phone: 916-900-5030
website
Cottage Food Operation - County Guidelines

County reference document for staring a cottage food operation.

agency note:
Cottage food Operation Guidelines

applies to:
Cottage Food Operation

County of Alameda
Department of Environmental Health
1131 Harbor Bay Parkway
Alameda, CA, 94502
Phone: 510-567-6700
website
Cottage Food Operation - Flow Chart

This flowchart provides a general idea if a CFO needs a registration or permit.


applies to:
Cottage Food Operation

California Conference of Directors of Environmental Health
PO Box 2017
Shingle Springs, CA, 95682
Phone: 530-676-0715
website
Cottage Food Operation - State Guidelines

All cottage food operators will have to meet specified requirements pursuant to the California Health and Safety Code related to preparing foods that are on the approved food list, completing a food processor training course within three months of registering, implementing sanitary operations, establishing state and federal compliant labels, and operating within established gross annual sales limits.


applies to:
Cottage Food Operation

State of California
Department of Public Health
1615 Capitol Ave
Sacramento, CA, 95814
Phone: 916-558-1700
website
General State Food Labeling Requirements

Cottage food products are required to be labeled in accordance with specific state and federal labeling regulations. The following list of labeling requirements is intended to assist cottage food operations (CFOs) in complying with basic labeling laws and regulations


applies to:
Cottage Food Operation

State of California
Department of Public Health
1615 Capitol Ave
Sacramento, CA, 95814
Phone: 916-558-1700
website
Ley de Alimentos Caseros de California

Preguntas más frecuentes (PMF)


applies to:
Cottage Food Operation

California Conference of Directors of Environmental Health
Department of Environmental Health
1029 K Street, Suite 24
Sacramento, CA, 95814
Phone: 916-448-1015
Fax: 916-448-7176
website
U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA)

The SBA renders assistance with special programs for women and minorities, financing for starting businesses, including developing business plans and providing information on other SBA programs.


applies to:
Cottage Food Operation

Small Business Development Center (SBDC)
Washington Office Center
409 3rd Street, S.W. Suite 6400
Washington, DC, 20416
Phone: 202-205-6766
Fax: 202-205-7727
website
U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA)

The SBA renders assistance with special programs for women and minorities, financing for starting businesses, including developing business plans and providing information on other SBA programs.

agency note:
The SBA renders assistance with special programs for women and minorities, financing for starting businesses, including developing business plans and providing information on other SBA programs.

applies to:
Cottage Food Operation

U.S. Small Business Administration
San Francisco District Office
455 Market Street, Suite 600
San Francisco, CA, 94105
Phone: 415-744-6820
website