Yes, you do. The easiest way it to contact your local health dept, they will tell you where to start.

I think San Fransisco has a cottage food law, (according to a very quick google search), but your health dept can give you that answer very quickly.

The rules and steps differ depending where you live.

Nah...those are just for family and friends and she only charges for ingredients. She's not in business...lol

Well you already got a lot of advice on your identical thread in the other forum

 

http://cakecentral.com/t/763626/starting-a-cupcake-business-from-home-where-do-i-start-sf-professional-bakers-please-help

 

but may I suggest you do a bit more 'experimenting' and figure out your recipes and fillings before you even think about trying to start a business. 

Thanks guys! Yeah i just wanted to gather as much information as I can. I been practicing and experimenting alot at home and I am new to this website but so far its been an amazing experience! I am so far very impress with this website due to how responsive and helpful you guys all are! Yeah I'm not a professional business baker yet, I just bake for the love and fun at home and share my goodies with family and friends. But i am definitely looking forward to the life as a baker! Thanks again everyone!

but you said you have had to deliver over 200 cupcakes a few times before...you must have a HUGE family

A

Or perhaps someone in her family, or a good friend, got married, and she made then cupcakes for the event.

AYou never know why she had to deliver so many. I've entered charity competitions where in addition to a showpiece, we also had to make a dessert for 225 people. It was an "honor" to be invited to participate, and you didn't have to be licensed or in business. It was just to show off your talents and potentially win a prize.

So anyway - just sayin' it's not fair to assume the worst. ;-)

AOh, also, I just went and read the other thread, and the way I read it was that she was anticipating having to make larger deliveries (since she is planning on starting a business) and wanted to be prepared when the time comes.

AI think I saw something about a family wedding.

Hi guys!

yeah i just recently did it for my brother's wedding party!, It was a bit of a disaster because of the wilton boxes. The car ride was a bit bumpy so some of them knocked over =( I only made this post to plan for future reference if i ever have to make a lot of cupcake for friends or family and have to deliver them again. Thank you to all the kind responses!

Well if you get the plastic cupcake boxes that hold 24 at a time you would only need 8 of those plus a small 4 box. They aren't that expensive for the peace of mind. When they are stacked in the backseat put a sheet over them tightly and then the seatbelt.