Hi! I'm looking into starting up a cake biz in Sacramento, CA. I've looked into renting a commercial kitchen and having a separate studio/office. How does the health inspections work if I'm not the one who actually owns the kitchen? Where do I even begin? Health Dept or obtaining a business license? LOL I'm such a newbie! What other requirements are there?
Any help is much appreciated.

Thanks,
Lyla

We rent a commercial kitchen in Santa Clara County, and we have to get inspected separately from the other tenants at the kitchen, carry our own liability insurance, and have our own food safety certificate. Sacramento probably works the same way but you'll want to confirm with the local health dept.

Personally I would work on finding a workspace that can pass health dept inspection first, that's the toughest hurdle. You have at least two good rental kitchen options in Sacramento (Mass Apeal and Steel Magnolia).

Thanks so much! I have my eyes on Steel Magnolia =) But what if I utilize two different commercial kitchens? Does it matter? If I work odd hours, how will they know when to do an inspection? I won't be in the kitchen on a regular basis since I'm just starting out =) It will be on an as needed basis.

holy moley! $700, yeah I'll stick to ONE kitchen! lol Is that for the health department fee??

Thanks for all your help! I'm going to have a million questions. I want to make sure I have all my ducks in a row before I even think about charging people and advertising...The last thing I want to do is get in trouble with the law! =) But all this is making my brain hurt! haha! So I am VERY grateful for the help.

Lyla

$700 is what the health dept charges annually for an inspection in Santa Clara County. Some other annual overhead costs we ran into are $800/year for an LLC (if you have a sole prop instead there's no fee), $50/year for the city's business license, and $500/year for liability insurance. I handle the accounting and tax returns myself, so if you will be outsourcing that you'll need to budget that cost as well (probably in the $200-300/year range).

If you need more local advice I would recommend contacting your local SCORE chapter, they provide free business counseling.

http://sacramento.score.org/

I am in your area... Thanks for the really good info! I hope to venture into this arena someday too

Thanks! Really helpful =) I'll look into SCORE today. I'm probably doing a sole prop to start out and maybe look into switching into LLC later when business picks up =)

Crisviz- Here's the website to the Sac County Dpt: http://www.emd.saccounty.net/EnvHealth/FoodProtect/SellingFood.html

Interesting. The Santa Clara Health department charged me as the kitchen owner $846.00 for the year and the three businesses that share my space were also charged $846.00 each. I wonder why it was more for us than for you, Jason.

Three years ago, when I was sharing space in San Mateo county, they only charged us $436.00, so different counties are obviously different, and somehow even within the county there must be differences.

Also, one of the ladies in my kitchen recently found out that we can sell to caterers and other businesses and to customers who order from us directly, but if we want to participate in a street fair or other event, there is a temporary event license that is another $188.00 just for the day of the event. Since she didn't know, the said she could either take all her product home or pay for the permit and a late fee because the permit wasn't obtained in advance. It ended up being $235.00 so she could participate in the event Everyone was very apologetic but unyielding about the extra day charge.

My aunt tried to rent the steele magnolia place like last month. The lady made an appt. then never showed. Then told her they might be closing. So now she is baking out of a kitchen in loomis.

OOOh! Nikki thank you! That's good to know. I'll just have to search for another since I don't want to risk them closing down on me =/

FYI: Steel Magnolia isn't closing anymore. They were able to stay open =) YAY! Everyone wins...since now they have a sheeter! lol I'm super excited! Gail from steel magnolia is fantastic!

I also spoke with Erica from Mass Apeal and they too are wonderful! In case anyone was looking around for kitchens.

Both are awesome kitchens, but I ended up going with Steel Magnolia since they can do "as needed" hours.

Hello,

I live in Elk Grove, CA which is Sacramento County... in the past I was very interested in starting a cake business, but all the requirements to me are so discouraging that is why I just do it as a hobby now. when I make cakes I give them away.. at least that way I can still practice...

I'm happy to see someone here from my home town...

evelyn moore
elk grove, ca

Hi Evelynn! =)

I'm at the final stretch and I can't wait til it's official!

Thanks for all this info. I am in the Sacramento area and would love to open a cake bakery. Right now I am doing cakes for family and friends. I always have people asking for business cards and feel so silly when I tell them I am not a baker nor do I own a bakery. I wish I could open a bakery I know I am losing out on a ton of business. All info. that can be provided is great. I am not sure I can go into business by myself (a little scary) and no funds. But the dream is still there