Cottage Food Laws by State
State-by-state guide to home-kitchen food laws — sales limits, allowed products, labeling requirements, and where you can sell direct-to-consumer. Updated June 2026.
What is a cottage food law?
Cottage food laws are state-level rules that exempt certain homemade food products from full FDA Nutrition Facts labeling and commercial-kitchen requirements. They typically permit direct-to-consumer sales at farmers markets, roadside stands, and similar venues — with annual sales limits ranging from $25,000 (Michigan) to $250,000 (Florida). Federal allergen rules (FALCPA + FASTER Act) still apply universally, and most states require ingredient lists, producer address, and a "Made in a home kitchen" disclaimer.
California
$50K-$150KLaw: AB 1616 / Microenterprise Home Kitchen
Two-tier system: Class A (direct sales, no permit) and Class B (indirect retail, with permit).
View California guide →Texas
$50,000Law: Cottage Food Production Operation
Direct-to-consumer only. No permit required but food handler training recommended.
View Texas guide →Florida
$250,000Law: Florida Statute 500.80
Highest sales limit in the U.S. (raised in 2021). Direct sales only.
View Florida guide →New York
$50,000Law: Article 20-C / Home Processor
Home Processor exemption or 20-C license. Direct-to-consumer at farmers markets and roadside stands.
View New York guide →Pennsylvania
Permit requiredLaw: Limited Food Establishment
PA requires Limited Food Establishment license — more formal than most cottage food laws.
View Pennsylvania guide →Illinois
$36,000Law: Cottage Food Operation
Sales restricted to farmers markets, roadside stands, and similar direct venues.
View Illinois guide →Ohio
No income limitLaw: Cottage Food Production Operation
No sales cap, but direct-to-consumer only. Wide product allowance.
View Ohio guide →Georgia
$35,000Law: Georgia Department of Agriculture cottage food rules
Direct sales only with $35K cap; exceeding it requires commercial food permit.
View Georgia guide →North Carolina
No state limitLaw: Home Food Processor Inspection Exemption
Less formal regime — direct-to-consumer with inspection exemption application.
View North Carolina guide →Michigan
$25,000Law: PA 113 of 2010 (amended 2024)
Sales cap raised from $15K to $25K in 2024. Direct-to-consumer only.
View Michigan guide →New Jersey
$50,000Law: Home Baker Industry Act
2021 law — among the last U.S. states to enact a meaningful cottage food framework.
View New Jersey guide →Virginia
No state limitLaw: Home Food Processing Operation
No sales cap; direct-to-consumer only. Growth-friendly framework.
View Virginia guide →Washington
$25,000Law: WSDA Cottage Food Permit
Permit-based program (not pure exemption). WSDA-credentialed operations.
View Washington guide →Arizona
No state limitLaw: AZ Home Baker Program
No sales cap; ADHS-registered home bakers, direct-to-consumer only.
View Arizona guide →Massachusetts
Local Board determinesLaw: Residential Kitchen Operation
Enforcement is primarily by Local Boards of Health — significant variation by municipality.
View Massachusetts guide →Indiana
No state limitLaw: Home Based Vendor (HBV) Law
No sales cap; ANSI food handler certificate required. Direct-to-consumer only — labels read "NOT FOR RESALE."
View Indiana guide →Missouri
No state limitLaw: RSMo § 196.298
No cap, no permit. Narrow product list: baked goods, high-acid jams/jellies, dried herbs.
View Missouri guide →Maryland
$50,000Law: COMAR 10.15.03
$50K cap (raise to $100K passed 2026, pending). SB 701 now allows some refrigerated baked goods.
View Maryland guide →Wisconsin
No cap (baked) / $5K (canned)Law: Cookie Bill + Pickle Bill
Baked goods unlimited via 2017 court ruling; high-acid canned goods capped at $5K (Pickle Bill).
View Wisconsin guide →Tennessee
No state limitLaw: Food Freedom Act
Among the most permissive — no license, no cap, very broad products; wholesale to stores allowed.
View Tennessee guide →Minnesota
$78,000Law: Minn. Stat. § 28A.152
Annual MDA registration required. $78K cap with tiered training and fees.
View Minnesota guide →Colorado
$10K per productLaw: Colorado Cottage Foods Act
Per-product cap ($10K each), not an overall limit. Food safety course required.
View Colorado guide →Alabama
No state limitLaw: Ala. Admin. Code 420-3-22
No cap; food safety course + county registration required. County must approve labels.
View Alabama guide →South Carolina
No state limitLaw: S.C. Code § 44-1-143
No cap, no permit. Unusually, wholesale to retail stores is allowed. Optional SCDA ID for privacy.
View South Carolina guide →Louisiana
$30,000Law: La. R.S. 40:4.9
$30K cap (breads/cakes/cookies/pies exempt but direct-only). Allows cream pies with pasteurized dairy.
View Louisiana guide →Related Resources
Homemade Food Nutrition Labels
What's required on cottage food labels even when nutrition facts are exempt.
FDA Small Business Exemption
Federal exemption rules — separate from state cottage food laws.
Allergen Labeling Guide
Why allergen disclosure applies even to cottage food products.
Free Nutrition Label Generator
For when you scale beyond cottage food limits and need full FDA labels.