California pet food registration

Firm license
$190
annual, due anniversary

Per product
none

Tonnage
none for small packages

How to file
paper
Pay by check

You sign, pay and submit We fill the forms, compute the fee and tell you where it goes.

Details

Firm license fee	$190 $190 per facility per year: Pet Food Processor License (in-state) or Pet Food Processor Registration certificate (out-of-state manufacturer/warehouse that imports into CA). Raised from $166 on July 1, 2025 (15% FDB fee increase). Separate license/registration per processing facility.
License late fee	$30 if the renewal application is submitted more than 30 days past the expiration date
Exempt	Brand owners who contract out ALL manufacturing, packaging, labeling and warehousing need no registration — the contract facility (in-state or the out-of-state importer) must hold it (FAQ Q4, Q7) 100% raw meat/poultry pet food: not CDPH; licensed by CDFA Meat, Poultry and Egg Safety Branch (FAQ Q8) Food for horses, cattle, swine, rabbits, goats, poultry or other food animals is not pet food (CDFA commercial feed)
Tonnage note	No tonnage for pet food. CDFA's commercial feed program (license $500/yr, $0.12/ton tonnage tax) does not cover pet food: FAC §14925 excludes 'preparations which are manufactured and distributed for feeding to domestic pets, such as dogs, cats, and birds' from 'commercial feed'.
Third-party filing	registrant_only: “CDPH 8676 item 29: 'Owner's Signature / Owner's Printed Name / Title / Date'. Instructions: 'This section must be signed by the majority owner of the business to authorize not only the application, but the representatives and/or signatories whom they authorize to speak on behalf of the firm.' Certification: 'I also give permission for the below authorized representatives and/or signatories to speak about the application with CDPH.' Representatives may talk to CDPH but cannot sign the application (cdph8676.pdf, re-read 2026-10-08).”
Before you file	Labels for every product sold in CA (digital/large volumes: email FDB for instructions) Out-of-state: health permit/certificate for the manufacturing or warehousing facility + ingredient list per product Industrial-hemp products need CDPH 8676 IH and an IHEO authorization fee Organic claims by CA manufacturers require an Organic Processed Product Registration (OPPR) Processed pet food may not be made, packaged, labeled or stored in a residence (not a cottage food)
Check payable to	CA Department of Public Health
Mail to	California Department of Public Health, Food and Drug Branch, Attn: Cashier, P.O. Box 997435, MS 7602, Sacramento, CA 95899-7435

Forms

Pet Food Processor Registration Application, CDPH 8676 (7/2025), with checklist and instructionsfillable
Procedures for Obtaining a Pet Food Processor License or Registration (Revised 8/2025)
Frequently Asked Questions for Pet Food Processor Registration
Fee Increase Effective July 1, 2025 (Pet Food Processor License/Registration $166 → $190)
Industry letter on amended Processed Pet Food regulations (human grade / natural claims)

Good to know

Health department, not ag department: Pure Pet Food Act (H&SC §113025 et seq.) — AAFCO-style product registration does not exist; it is a facility registration.
The obligation sits on the FACILITY that makes/packs/labels/warehouses the food. A small brand using an out-of-state co-packer must get the co-packer registered ($190, with its health permit), or the brand's own facility if it packs/labels itself.
Anniversary-based expiry (one year from issue), not a fixed calendar date.
Human-grade and natural claims allowed since 8/26/2024 under amended regs; human-grade must meet 21 CFR 117.
Statute text (H&SC §113065) still says $100; actual fee set by FDB fee schedule under H&SC §100425 ($190).

Agency

California Department of Public Health, Food and Drug Branch (FDB) — Pet Food Processor License/Registration (NOT CDFA commercial feed)
https://www.cdph.ca.gov/Programs/PSB/Pages/FoodandDrugBranch.aspx
(800) 495-3232 / (916) 650-6500

Sources: CDPH 8676 (7/2025) Pet Food Processor Registration Application · Procedures for Obtaining a Pet Food Processor License or Registration (8/2025) · Pet Food FAQ · FDB Fee Increase Letter, May 1, 2025 · Forms: Food and Drug Branch · H&SC §113060–113070 Licenses and Registration Certificates · FAC §14925 'Commercial feed' definition · AAFCO — California. Verified 2026-10-08. Not legal advice; confirm with the state before paying.