Cottage food rules
Cottage Food Laws in MD: What Home Bakers Need
A plain language look at Maryland cottage food rules, so you know what to check before you sell.
On this page
What to remember
- Maryland passed a cottage food law in 2012 and updated it in 2018.
- You do not need a Department of Health license if your sales stay under the state threshold.
- County and city rules still apply to your kitchen, storage, and sales.
- The Maryland Department of Health lists the foods a cottage food business may produce and sell.
- A 2025 bill, Senate Bill 701, would change the definition of cottage food product, so check its status.
If you are just starting, it helps to read cottage food laws by state so you can see how Maryland fits with other states. Then come back to the Maryland details below.
What Maryland allows from a home kitchen
Maryland’s law covers a home based bakery or home food processing company. The law was passed in 2012 and updated in 2018. A cottage food business can run from a residential kitchen without a Department of Health license as long as sales stay under the set dollar threshold. The Maryland Department of Health guidance lists which foods may be produced and sold by a Maryland cottage food business.
The sales threshold and the foods you can sell
Maryland allows the residential kitchen operation only while sales stay under a set dollar threshold. The dollar amount is not listed in the source used for this guide, so confirm the current figure with the Maryland Department of Health before you set your prices or take a large order. The Department’s cottage food guidance sets out which foods may be produced and sold. A 2025 Senate bill, Senate Bill 701, would alter the definition of cottage food product to include nonpotentially hazardous foods. Check the bill page to see where it stands before you rely on the change.
County and city rules to check before you sell
Maryland’s cottage food program is administered by the Maryland Department of Health Office of Food Protection. The office is at 6 St. Paul Street, Suite 1301, Baltimore, MD 21202, and the phone number is (410) 767-8400. The state law says you must comply with all applicable county and municipal laws and ordinances. That means a call to your local health department is part of the setup, even though the state does not license your business.
If your menu includes cream cheese frosting or filled bakes, read cottage food laws and cream cheese before you add them. It walks through the questions to ask when a recipe uses a food that may need extra care.
What to do before you take orders
Read the state food list
Start with the Maryland Department of Health cottage food guidance. It sets out which foods may be produced and sold by a Maryland cottage food business.
Confirm the sales threshold
Maryland allows a residential kitchen operation while sales stay under a set dollar threshold. The dollar amount is not listed in the source used here, so call the Office of Food Protection at (410) 767-8400 and ask for the current figure.
Call your county or city health department
COMAR 10.15.03.27 says the owner shall comply with all applicable county and municipal laws and ordinances. Ask what your local rules require for preparation, processing, storage, and sale.
Check pending changes
Senate Bill 701 from the 2025 session would alter the definition of cottage food product to include nonpotentially hazardous foods. Check the bill page before you rely on the change.
Keep a simple sales record
Keep a record of every sale so you can see where you stand against the threshold. A simple notebook works.
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Common questions
Do I need a license to sell baked goods from my Maryland home?
The state does not license cottage food businesses, but you must comply with all applicable county and municipal laws and ordinances. The residential kitchen allowance applies only while sales stay under the set dollar threshold.
How much can I sell under Maryland's cottage food law?
Maryland allows a cottage food business to run from a residential kitchen without a Department of Health license as long as sales stay under a set dollar threshold. The dollar amount is not listed in the source used here, so confirm the current figure with the Maryland Department of Health Office of Food Protection at (410) 767-8400.
Which foods can I make and sell?
The Maryland Department of Health cottage food guidance sets out which foods may be produced and sold by a Maryland cottage food business. Read that list before you plan your menu.
Do county rules apply to my home bakery?
Yes. COMAR 10.15.03.27 says the owner of a cottage food business shall comply with all applicable county and municipal laws and ordinances regulating the preparation, processing, storage, and sale of cottage food products.
What is Senate Bill 701?
It is a 2025 bill that would alter the definition of cottage food product to include nonpotentially hazardous foods. Check the bill page to see its status before you rely on any change.
Sources
- University of Maryland Extension: Cottage Food Business Law
- Maryland Department of Health: Updated Cottage Food Guidelines 2025
- COMAR 10.15.03.27: Cottage Food Businesses
- Cottage Food Law Library: Maryland
- Maryland Department of Agriculture: Cottage Food Guidelines
- Maryland Department of Health: Cottage Foods
- Maryland General Assembly: Senate Bill 701 (2025)
General information, not legal advice. Rules can change, so confirm the current requirements with the Maryland Department of Health and your county or city health department.