I am being inspected on Monday!!! It is not that hard. Call the department of Agriculture and they will send you papers. First requirement that most people can't do is you can not have pets. If that is not a problem for you then you need to check with your local municaplity and see if a home based business is allowed. (I went to my township meeting and asked then had them put it in writing). Second, if your have private water you need to have this tested. These two pieces of paper need to be sent in with you application. Other than that you need to store your bakery food products separate from your home food, need thermometers in the fridge and freeze (if your storing anything in them) and need to have clorox at the sink for washing dishes.
HTH
PM me if you have any other questions that I did not answer.
Val
http://forum.cakecentral.com/cake-decorating-ftopict-338083.html
here is a link to another thread about the same topic. They have the
requirements from the DOA listed.
Val
Ok DoA inspector just left. He came in and stuck him thermometer in the fridge. Then typed in his computer and took his check and left. He never looked at anything (house was really clean tho I just spent the last two days scrubbing everything). He said he would be back in about two years to inspect again.
Val
What an easy inspection! Glad things worked so well for you!
So howcome I'm the only PA baker that the Dept of Ag claims I need a kitchen diagram or blueprint drawn? 
I was going to start sending in my paperwork in January until they told me that...and I haven't had time to go around measuring my kitchen.
Do you suppose someone misunderstood? Should I just send my paperwork in as is without a diagram and see what happens?
Also I have two outdoor dogs that never, ever, ever come inside. Does that count as having pets? I tried emailing that question to the Dept of Ag and they didn't answer it.
Thanks!
I've already contacted my local zoning and all they want is their fifty bucks. I was told to double check with my local Health Dept and make sure, and they affirmed I only need to answer to the Dept of Ag. So if I could just get my paperwork in minus the kitchen diagram I'd probably be set...I have a "cake refrigerator" and a deep sink, I just need to make sure my outdoor dogs don't count.
Also how soon do you have to go about getting a state tax ID number and insurance?
Kitagrl
My guess is that the DoA just misunderstood that you want to do a home bakery but I could be wrong, each county my had different requirements. You should be able to call the Harrisburg office and they should answer your questions. When I got the application it asked for measurements, equipment numbers, seating ability, menu, etc. When I called they said that those things did not apply to a home kitchen. Your best bet is to probaly call and ask.
As for you Tax #, go here http://www.pa100.state.pa.us/ and fill out the online application. I got my number via e-mail in 1 day and they will send they offical paper in the mail
HTH Val
Congrats Val!!
and thanks! This post is a big help to me also.
When did you submit your paperwork?? just curious the timeframe from paperwork being mailed to inspection.
Do you have a separate fridge for cake items??? we have an extra one I was going to set up downstairs if necessary.
I am sending in my paperwork this month as well!
ooh, ooh, another question for PA people...
(sorry to hijack the thread) LOL
Anyone with kids have a problem with getting inspected. I know it says no children in the area while work is going on. I have 3 little ones and an open floor plan... so no door on the kitchen. I do pretty much all my work at night when they are in bed..... just wondering if that will fly with them or if they are going to question how I will keep my kids out of the kitchen.
scoobam, Good Luck!!
I first called the DoA 2 days before Easter. They had the information I needed mailed to me right after. I then had to wait for the letter from my township for 7 weeks (I just couldn't get them to get off their butt to type a two sentence letter). I put the paperwork for the DoA in the mail on Thursday. They called the next Thursday and set up the inspection for Yesterday, so 11 days after I put it in the mail they were here.
You are to have a separate area to store stuff, not necessarly a separated fridge. I am using the one shelf in the upstairs fridge and all but 1 shelf in the downstairs fridge. But like I said he never asked nor looked at anything. He just checked the temp in the upstairs fridge and was here for 15 minutes.
If I knew it was this easy I would have done it years ago!!
HTH Val
Another way to help expediate the process is to use a Kitchen Incubator. They are already approved by Dept. of Ag and provide professional equipment and refrideration. If you are close to NEPA. There is one in La Plume.
Thanks!!!
Oh, great... I called my town and they approved me.. but the zoning guy doesn't want to give me a letter until the inspector comes out. I called DOA and they said no prob as long as I have it that day of the inspection... better get on the zoning guy's case to make sure there is no butt dragging. ROFL
I gate my kids out of the kitchen...do you suppose they'll believe me when I say the dogs are NEVER allowed in the house, ever? They are old so we hate to just get rid of them, they are too old to be taken to the pound or given away...they are huge big old things and they just lay around in the backyard.
Maybe I'll just fill out the paperwork and see what happens.
Hi ladies! I just recently started making cakes and I've been hired to do a few...all by people I know in one way or another...just sold my first cake today to my boss. Do I absolutely need to be certified or whatever? I only plan on doing one cake a week, maybe two, IF THAT...and mostly for people I work with, etc. Please let me know.
What did you do first, fill out your Ag papers or get your business tax ID? My paper said you have to have your tax ID or proof you applied but I thought I did that after I got inspected.
Also the papers I have, hardly anything is going to apply since I'm a home kitchen. Just put N/A ?
Kitagrl
I put my application in the mail on 6-14 and I was inspected on 6-25. Yes most of the stuff on the application you just write N/A. As for the tax number go to http://www.pa100.state.pa.us/ its free and only takes a little while to fill out and they e-mail your number to you promptly. But when the guy from the DoA was here I got him the paper I printed from the web site saying I had applied and he said that he didn't need to see it he just needed to know if I had applied yet.
Okay...one more thing...I saw I have to have the zoning certificate too.
I don't mind getting zoning but I put my tentative opening date as Jan 1, 2008 (just to make sure everything gets done, esp with baby arriving).
Will zoning give me a permit before I get inspected? Its like which comes first the chicken or the egg? I think it will be easy to get zoning but I don't want to just have to renew it again next year...
I'm not sure if you actually need a certificate...
my guy said he would just write a letter... I have to deliver all my cakes and can't have advertising at the house... or any displays seen from the street, etc... basically nothing that would bring extra traffic to my street.
I know DoA wants the letter with the application.. but I don't think I will h ave mine until the inspector comes.. at least that's what my zoning guy wants to do.
So, for those in the PA area.... If I can't have a business in my home because I have pets--- I get that..... does that mean that I could rent the home next door to me, and convert that into a home based bakery business? I can't justify going straight to a business property without having any pre-existing business.... but renting a house with no animals will be cheaper than renting a kitchen space!
not sure that you could have a business out of a rented home..
I would think that would mean liability issues for the owner of the property???
not sure, but I know I waited until we purchased a home before even considering trying this.
question for the DOA i guess.
Ya, so that raises an interesting situation. If I did it in my home, I'd need liability... and if I do it next door, I need liability... and if I do it in a shop across town, I need liability. Just to get started, and to get my name out there, it seems like a cheaper alternative. Now I just have to figure out who owns that house. Grrr... it's been empty for about 2 years.
HI I'm new at this too. We plan on getting inspected when we move in a few months. We looking for a place with a separate kitchen. My biggest issue that will move with us is my dog. What do you do if you have a pet? Will they believe you if you say they are never allowed in the area?
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