Cottage Food Operation Permit Requirements for Operators on Septic Systems

This guidance document is for Cottage Food Operations that are connected to an onsite septic system for liquid waste disposal, verses a county or city sewer system.

Cottage Food Operation (CFO) is governed under the California Homemade Food Act and it allows for certain types of food to be prepared and sold from a home kitchen operated food facility.   Governor Brown signed the California Homemade Food Act into law on September 21, 2012.

A cottage food operation may increase the volume and/or strength of the waste water depending on the type of business operation. Residential septic systems are designed for the wastewater flow typically associated with normal day to day use of the occupants, such as laundry, kitchen use and bathing.

Depending on the type of the cottage food operation, some can have high uses of sugar, fats, oils or grease that may be washed down the drain as a result from cooking, baking or cleaning associated with operation. The higher waste strength and increased water use can cause the septic system to perform poorly or fail, which can then lead to needing a repair or replacement septic system that can be costly.

It is important to maintain your septic system and have the septic tank inspected and pumped on a recommended 3-5 year interval or regular basis based on use.

For both Class A and B Cottage Food Operation Permits, applications can be obtained through Environmental Heath. Environmental Health will review and approve the application.

Septic Requirements – Permit Sonoma

The septic system to be utilized will need to be self-certified by the applicant that the following requirements are met:

1. Provide a record showing the septic system type. Note the following restrictions:
   
   • Cesspools are prohibited.
   • Nonstandard system types, applicant must provide two monitoring and maintenance records (1 year), showing the system is operational. Nonstandard systems need to adhere to the terms and conditions of the operational permit for gallons per day of effluent allowed. The flow information should be included on the monitoring forms.
   • Septic systems with variances, should be in compliance with the terms of the variance including but not limited to the flows allowed under the permit.
2. The septic system is functioning and not in obvious failure, e.g., surfacing effluent, effluent backing up into the home or slow draining sinks, showers and bathtubs.
3. Provide a plot plan showing the location of the, home, septic system (septic tank and dispersal field) and water well.

Food Operating Permits – Sonoma County Department of Health Services

California Health & Safety Code (Cal Code) allows you to prepare certain non-perishable foods in your home and sell to the public with a cottage food operation (CFO) registration or permit.
Apply for Cottage Food Registration or Permit

Records may be available at Permit Sonoma, which can provide information regarding your septic system type and location. The following are resources for obtaining county records:

• Online: Permits Online access
• Email: Records requests
• In Person:
  • Permit Sonoma's Permit Center located at 2550 Ventura Ave, Santa Rosa, CA 95403
  • Assessor’s Office located at 585 Fiscal Drive #104F, Santa Rosa, CA 95403

Note: If there are no records available you may want to hire a Qualified Septic Consultant to complete a Findings Report.

Graywater systems cannot be utilized for cottage food operations. Food processing wastewater, like wastewater from kitchen sinks, is considered “black” water and cannot be routed to a graywater dispersal system.

The California Plumbing Code Chapter 16A excludes wastewater from kitchens from the definition of graywater. Graywater is defined as “untreated wastewater that has not been contaminated by any toilet discharge. Graywater includes wastewater from bathtubs, showers, bathroom sinks, clothes washing machines and laundry sinks. It does not include wastewater from kitchen sinks, dishwashers, photo lab sinks or laundry water from soiled diapers.”

• Minimize the amount sugars, fats, oils, or grease entering your septic system by scraping and wiping utensils and surfaces prior to washing and avoid washing food scraps down the drain.
• Have your septic tank pumped at the recommended frequency, once every 3-5 years or on frequency based on use.
• If you have a nonstandard system under an operational permit with our office, you should have your system maintained according to the requirements in the terms and conditions of your septic operational permit.