The home baker's guide to cottage food laws.
Understand the rules for selling baked goods from your home — by state.
Find your state's rules
Select your state to see a summary of its cottage food regulations.
What is a cottage food law?
A cottage food law is a state-level exemption that allows individuals to produce and sell certain low-risk foods — like baked goods, jams, and candies — from their home kitchen, without needing a commercial kitchen license or a full food establishment permit.
These laws are specifically designed for small-scale home food producers who sell directly to consumers. They reduce the regulatory burden on micro-businesses while still protecting public health through labeling requirements and sales restrictions.
Every state has different rules — some are very permissive, others are strict. The key variables are which foods are allowed, how much you can earn, where you can sell, and what your labels must say.
What you need to know.
The six areas that vary most by state.
Allowed foods
Most states permit non-hazardous baked goods — cakes, cookies, breads, and pastries that don't require refrigeration.
Sales limits
Many states cap annual cottage food revenue between $5,000 and $75,000. Some states have no cap at all.
Labeling rules
Products typically need your name, address, ingredients list, allergen warnings, net weight, and a cottage food disclaimer.
Where you can sell
Direct to consumer, farmers markets, and pop-ups are almost universally allowed. Online sales and shipping vary widely by state.
Permits & registration
Some states require registration with the health department; others are permit-free. A few require food handler certification.
Kitchen requirements
Most states require production in your primary residence. Some allow inspections; others operate on the honor system.
Cottage food label checklist
Most states require all of the following on your cottage food product labels. Check your state's specific wording for the disclaimer.
- Business name and home address
- Product name
- Full ingredients list, in descending order by weight
- Allergen statement (milk, eggs, wheat, tree nuts, peanuts, soy, sesame)
- Net weight or volume
- Required cottage food disclaimer statement (wording varies by state)
Bakekick's AI Policy Page Generator can draft a compliant cottage food disclaimer statement for your state and your product — ready to copy onto your labels in seconds.
How Bakekick helps you stay compliant
Bakekick includes a built-in Cottage Food Law reference tool that surfaces your state's key rules right inside the app. The AI Policy Page Generator creates a custom cottage food disclaimer, allergen policy, and FAQ for your website — in minutes.
Frequently asked questions
It depends on your state. Most states with cottage food laws don't require a license for direct-to-consumer sales below a revenue threshold — but a handful require registration or a food handler's certificate. Always check your specific state's rules.
This guide provides general educational information about cottage food laws in the United States. It is not legal advice. Laws change frequently — always verify current regulations directly with your state's Department of Agriculture, Department of Health, or a licensed attorney in your state before making business decisions.
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