The Foundation
What Is Cottage Food?
A complete guide to cottage food laws, licenses, restrictions, and how to start selling food products from your home kitchen legally.
The Definition
What Is a Cottage Food License?
A cottage food license (also called a cottage food permit or cottage food registration) is an authorization from your state or local government that allows you to produce and sell certain low-risk food products made in your home kitchen.
The term "cottage" refers to the home — a small-scale, artisan approach to food production that existed long before commercial food manufacturing. Cottage food laws formalize and protect this tradition, giving home kitchen producers a legal pathway to market.
Every U.S. state has some form of cottage food law, though the rules vary significantly. Some states are very permissive — allowing high sales volumes and multiple sales channels. Others are more restrictive, limiting what you can make, where you can sell, and how much you can earn.
Find Your State's Laws at Forrager.com →Key Facts
Step by Step
How Cottage Food Works
Getting started with cottage food is simpler than you think. Here's the general process.
Check Your State Laws
Each state has different cottage food laws. Visit forrager.com/laws/ to find your state's specific rules on what you can make, where you can sell, and how much you can earn.
Register or Get Licensed
Most states require you to register with your state health department or local county. Some states are permit-free for small operations. Fees are typically $0–$100.
Set Up Your Home Kitchen
Your kitchen must be clean, organized, and food-safe. Some states may require a home inspection. Pets may need to be kept out during production.
Label Your Products Properly
Most states require your products to be labeled with: your name and address, product name, net weight, ingredient list, and the statement "Made in a Home Kitchen."
Start Selling
Sell at farmers markets, events, craft fairs, or directly to consumers. Some states also allow online sales. Keep track of your annual gross sales to stay within your state's limits.
Keep Records
Maintain sales records, ingredient logs, and production notes. Good recordkeeping protects you and helps you understand which products are most profitable.
Know the Rules
What's Typically Allowed
Rules vary by state, but these lists give you a general idea of what's commonly permitted and what's not. Always verify with your state's specific cottage food law.
Allowed Food Types
Often NOT Allowed
Important: This is a general guide only. Your state's specific rules may differ significantly. Always check the official cottage food law for your state before starting production. The best resource is forrager.com/laws/ — the most comprehensive state-by-state cottage food law database.
A Sample Look
Sales Limits Vary Widely
Here are examples of how different states approach annual sales limits for cottage food producers.
Get This Right
Labeling Requirements
Proper labeling is one of the most important compliance requirements. Most states require similar information.
Almost Always Required
Sometimes Required
Ready to Find Your State's Laws?
Forrager.com maintains the most comprehensive database of cottage food laws across all 50 states. Find out exactly what's allowed in your state.