Cottage food rules
Cottage Food Law: What Can You Sell From Home?
A clear way to find what your state lets you sell from your home kitchen, and where you can sell it.
On this page
What to remember
- Start with your state’s cottage food law, not a national list.
- The law covers certain low-risk foods, and each state names the foods it allows.
- Some states limit where you can sell, not just what you can sell.
- AFDO publishes state-specific guidance on permissible homemade foods, licensing, labeling, and food safety.
If you bake from home, the question is not whether you can sell a specific bake. It is whether your state puts that item on its cottage food list. That is why a list from another state is not a safe shortcut. Which states have the best cottage food laws can help you compare, but your own state’s rule is the one you follow.
Start with your state, not a national list
Cottage food rules are written state by state. AFDO publishes state-specific cottage food guidance covering licensing, food safety regulations, labeling requirements, and permissible homemade foods. That guidance is a practical place to find your state’s list and the conditions that come with it. If you are also working out whether you need a permit, see how to get a permit to sell baked goods from home.
What the law usually lets you do
The core idea is simple. A cottage food law lets you make certain low-risk foods in your home kitchen and sell them without a commercial kitchen, a food establishment license, or in many states any inspection. The permitted foods are the ones your state lists. AFDO’s state guidance covers permissible homemade foods, so that is where to confirm the specific items you want to sell.
Where you can sell matters too
The food list is only one part. Some states also limit the sales channel. Florida is one example of wider reach: cottage food operators may sell on their website, by mail order, and direct to consumer in person. Florida does not allow wholesale. Illinois is narrower on resale: cottage food may be sold directly to consumers, including by the owner, a family member, or an employee, but not for resale or in retail food establishments. Chicago has its own Cottage Food Operation law for certain foods made in home kitchens and sold directly to consumers with limited regulation, with major changes effective January 1, 2022. If you are in Illinois, how do you get a cottage food license in Illinois walks through the next step.
The details that trip home bakers up
A common mistake is assuming the food list is the whole rule. AFDO’s state guidance also covers licensing, food safety regulations, and labeling requirements. If you plan to sell online, by mail, in person, or to a shop, check that channel against your state’s rule. Florida and Illinois show why this matters: both allow some direct sales, but Florida blocks wholesale and Illinois blocks resale. A quick check before you bake saves you from taking orders you cannot fill legally.
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The short version: find your state’s list, confirm the sales channel, and check labeling before you take orders. That keeps your home baking business inside the cottage food rule instead of guessing from another state’s rules.
Common questions
Does cottage food law let me sell anything I bake?
No. It covers certain low-risk foods that your state lists. AFDO publishes state-specific guidance on permissible homemade foods, so start there.
Can I sell my cottage food online?
It depends on your state. Florida allows cottage food sales on a website, by mail order, and in person direct to consumer. Other states set their own limits, so confirm your state's rule before you take an online order.
Can I sell to a cafe or store?
Check first. Florida does not allow wholesale cottage food sales. Illinois does not allow cottage food to be sold for resale or in retail food establishments. Your state may use different wording.
Do I need a license or inspection?
The basic cottage food rule lets you sell certain low-risk foods without a commercial kitchen, a food establishment license, or in many states any inspection. Licensing details vary, and AFDO's state guidance covers licensing.
Where can I find my state's allowed foods?
AFDO publishes state-specific cottage food guidance covering permissible homemade foods, labeling, licensing, and food safety rules.
Does Chicago follow Illinois cottage food rules?
Chicago has its own Cottage Food Operation law for certain foods made in home kitchens and sold directly to consumers with limited regulation. Major changes took effect on January 1, 2022.
Sources
General information, not legal advice. Cottage food rules vary by state and can change. Confirm with your state agency before you sell.