I called City Hall today to find out about selling cakes from my home and spoke to several people and the by law office and they said it is illegal for any retail business to be conducted out of the home in my city, but I can bake them and deliver them. I asked if I need permits, licensing etc and they said no I just can't have the customer pick up the cakes.

So, if you see my cakes in my gallery I am just starting out doing cakes the only ones I have done are all shown in my gallery and I have only done them as gifts for family - but for the future I wanted to be sure if I choose too that this is something I can do

Hmmm. So you can't sell anything retail, but you can bake and deliver them? That makes no sense to me. So can you sell them? Or just bake cakes for other people? I'm just asking.

Sounds similar to my township. My home is zoned 'non-impact' business, which means I can conduct business within my home (baking/decorating the cakes); however, no customer traffic allowed (pick-ups, tastings, etc)so not to disturb the neighborhood! All my cakes must be delivered. I had to obtain a permit from the township ($35 per year) along with license from Department of Agriculture ($30 per year)... and walaaa.... now I have JaimeCakes!!!
Congrats to you!! Wish you all the best!
~ Jaime

Sorry I didn't explain myself very well - that's exactly it people cannot come and pick them up because they would consider that a "retail business out of my home" which is not allowed.

Thank you for the well wishes and for the compliments on my cakes

Now you have to get ahold of the HD, or whatever it is in CA. The City will just give you the dos, and don'ts of operating a business in the city. It doesn't matter what kind of business as long as it's a legal one.

Mike

ps. walaa = voila

The Niagara Regional Health Department is in charge of inspections for food handling. You might want to check with them to see if they have any regulations that apply to home bakeries.
Good luck.