Cottage food rules
Cottage Food Law in Henry County, Georgia
A clear look at Georgia's cottage food rules and the local checks Henry County home bakers should make.
On this page
What to remember
- Georgia removed the state cottage food license and fee on July 1, 2025.
- Only food that is not potentially hazardous can be sold as cottage food.
- State law now allows third-party retail sales to grocery stores, convenience stores, and restaurants.
- Each city or county may pass an ordinance prohibiting cottage food sales through third-party vendors.
- Henry County home bakers still need to clear local zoning and health rules.
The state rule is the starting point, not the whole answer. How to check your state’s cottage food laws gives you a simple way to separate state rules from county and city rules. Then use the rest of this guide to focus on Henry County.
What Georgia allows now
Cottage food sales are allowed under Georgia regulations, but cottage food operators are permitted to make only food that is not potentially hazardous. Georgia removed its cottage food license and licensing fee effective July 1, 2025 under House Bill 398. The 2025 changes added third-party retail sales, allowing sales to grocery stores, convenience stores and restaurants in addition to direct sales.
What Henry County can decide
Henry County is a county in Georgia with a population of about 240,853, and home bakers there must still clear local zoning and health rules. Under HB 398, each city or county in Georgia may choose to pass an ordinance prohibiting cottage food operators from selling cottage food items through third-party vendors such as grocery stores and restaurants. Ask your city and Henry County whether any such ordinance applies to you.
Local checks before you bake for sale
Call Henry County and your city about zoning and health rules before you take orders. If your home is on a private septic system, contact your county health department to be sure the home’s septic system is acceptable for the operation. Keep the answers with your business records so you can find them later.
Confirm the food is allowed
Cottage food operators in Georgia may make only food that is not potentially hazardous.
Know the state change
Georgia removed the cottage food license and licensing fee on July 1, 2025 under House Bill 398.
Ask about local rules
Henry County home bakers must still clear local zoning and health rules.
Ask about third-party sales
Each city or county may pass an ordinance prohibiting cottage food sales through third-party vendors such as grocery stores and restaurants.
Check your septic system
If your home is on a private septic system, contact your county health department to be sure it is acceptable for the operation.
Labels and retail displays
As of July 1, 2025, HB 398 allows wholesale, online, retail store, restaurant and mail-order cottage food sales, and third-party sellers must display cottage food products separately and label that section. If you sell through a third-party seller, the products must be displayed separately and the section must be labeled. If you are still choosing how to take orders, Home Bakery App: A Fair Roundup for Home Bakers walks through options, and Brevl is one of them.
Try Brevl free for 14 days
Free, no signup.
Common questions
Do I need a cottage food license in Henry County?
Georgia removed the state cottage food license and licensing fee on July 1, 2025. Henry County home bakers must still clear local zoning and health rules, so ask the county and your city what they require.
Can I sell my bakes to a grocery store or restaurant in Henry County?
State law now allows third-party retail sales, including sales to grocery stores, convenience stores and restaurants. Each city or county may pass an ordinance prohibiting cottage food sales through third-party vendors, so confirm with Henry County and your city first.
What foods can I make under Georgia cottage food rules?
Cottage food operators in Georgia are permitted to make only food that is not potentially hazardous.
What if my home is on a private septic system?
Contact your county health department to be sure the home's septic system is acceptable for the operation.
Do third-party sellers have to label my bakes?
Yes. Third-party sellers must display cottage food products separately and label that section.
Sources
- Georgia Department of Agriculture, Cottage Food
- Cottage Food Law Library, Georgia
- Georgia Department of Agriculture, HB 398 Frequently Asked Questions
- Cottage Food License, Georgia 2025 Guide
- Crosodo, Henry County Georgia
- Crosodo Report, Henry County Georgia
- Georgia Department of Agriculture, Starting a Cottage Food Business
General information, not legal advice. Rules can change, so confirm with Henry County and the Georgia Department of Agriculture before you sell.