Cottage Food License in WA: What You Need

On this page

1. What the Washington permit covers
2. What you need before you apply
3. Labeling and sales rules
4. What the permit does not replace

Washington keeps the cottage food path narrow. The law is built around a home kitchen. You are making low risk food at home and selling it directly to the person who will eat it. If you are also checking how other states handle home baking, the guides for Ohio and Arizona are there for comparison.

What the Washington permit covers

The permit is for food that is not potentially hazardous. The state materials list baked goods, candies, jams, jellies, preserves, fruit butters, dry herbs, dry herb blends, and dry tea blends. The food must be produced in the home kitchen of your primary domestic residence in Washington. That is the line the law draws, and it is the line to check before you plan a menu.

What you need before you apply

1. 1

   Check your kitchen

   The law defines a cottage food operation as producing cottage food products only in the home kitchen of your primary domestic residence in Washington.

2. 2

   Check your food

   The permit is for food that is not potentially hazardous, such as baked goods, candies, jams, jellies, preserves, fruit butters, dry herbs, dry herb blends, and dry tea blends.

3. 3

   Get your food worker card

   The Cottage Food Law requires permitted and authorized persons working in the cottage food business to obtain a food worker card through the local county health department.

4. 4

   Gather application items

   The application includes a water test or water bill and business information.

5. 5

   Apply for the permit

   A Washington Cottage Food Permit allows a Washington resident to make food that is not potentially hazardous and sell it directly to the consumer.

6. 6

   Label and sell direct

   A cottage food operation must package and properly label for sale to the consumer any food it produces. Sales are directly to the consumer.

Labeling and sales rules

The law requires that a cottage food operation package and properly label for sale to the consumer any food it produces. The same law says the food may not be repackaged, sold, or used as an ingredient in other foods by a food processor. That keeps the permit tied to direct sales and to the food you make in your own home kitchen. If you are still choosing how to take orders, Home Bakery App is a fair roundup.

What the permit does not replace

Chapter 69.22 RCW provides an exemption from chapter 69.07 RCW and from permitting and inspection by the local health jurisdiction. That does not remove the food worker card step. The card is available through the local county health department, and the law requires permitted and authorized people working in the business to get one.

Common questions

Do I need a cottage food license in WA?

Washington uses a Cottage Food Permit. It allows a Washington resident to make food that is not potentially hazardous, such as baked goods, candies, jams, jellies, and preserves, in their home kitchen and sell it directly to the consumer.

Can I sell my bakes to a restaurant or a store?

The law defines a cottage food operation as sale directly to the consumer. It also says the food may not be repackaged, sold, or used as an ingredient in other foods by a food processor.

Who needs a food worker card?

The Cottage Food Law requires permitted and authorized persons working in the cottage food business to obtain a food worker card through the local county health department.

What do I need for the application?

The application includes a water test or water bill and business information.

Is my home kitchen inspected by the local health jurisdiction?

Chapter 69.22 RCW provides an exemption from chapter 69.07 RCW and from permitting and inspection by the local health jurisdiction. The food worker card still comes through the local county health department.

Sources

1. RCW 69.22 Cottage Food Operations
2. Washington Cottage Food Permit
3. Cottage Food Law food worker card
4. RCW 69.22 labeling and sales
5. RCW 69.22 exemption
6. Cottage Food Operations Permit handbook entry
7. Cottage Food Operation Permit application

General information, not legal advice. For your situation, check with the state and your local county health department.