Cottage food rules
New Georgia Cottage Food Law: What Home Bakers Need
A clear look at Georgia's new cottage food rules and what they mean for your home bakery.
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What to remember
- HB 398 took effect on July 1, 2025.
- Georgia removed the cottage food license and licensing fee.
- Cottage food operators can sell directly and to grocery stores, convenience stores, and restaurants.
- Only food that is not potentially hazardous is allowed.
- A city or county ordinance can stop third-party sales.
If you bake from your home kitchen in Georgia, the new rules are worth a close read before you take your next order. The state’s cottage food provisions sit in Title 26, Chapter 2, Article 19 of the Georgia Code. The Georgia Department of Agriculture says House Bill 398 brings important updates to the state’s cottage food program. If you are comparing nearby states, you can also read Tennessee cottage food rules and Mississippi cottage food rules.
What changed on July 1, 2025
Effective July 1, 2025, House Bill 398 brings important updates to Georgia’s cottage food program. The change removed Georgia’s cottage food license and licensing fee. That means the state no longer uses that license for cottage food operators. The Georgia Department of Agriculture is the place to confirm the current details before you change how you take orders.
Who counts as a cottage food operator
Georgia law defines a ‘cottage food operator’ as a person who produces cottage food items at a residential property for sale to consumers or sellers. That definition includes sale to consumers or sellers. The cottage food provisions are codified in Title 26, Chapter 2, Article 19 of the Georgia Code.
What you can make and where you can sell
Cottage food operators in Georgia are permitted to make only food that is not potentially hazardous. Under HB 398, Georgia cottage food operators can sell to grocery stores, convenience stores, and restaurants in addition to selling directly. 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. For a nearby comparison, read Florida cottage food rules.
What to check before you take orders
Start with the food you plan to sell. The state rule allows only food that is not potentially hazardous. Then check your sales channel. Direct sales are part of the law, and HB 398 adds grocery stores, convenience stores, and restaurants as allowed buyers unless your city or county has passed an ordinance that blocks third-party sales.
Check the food
Georgia allows cottage food operators to make only food that is not potentially hazardous.
Check your local rules
Each city or county may pass an ordinance prohibiting sales through third-party vendors such as grocery stores and restaurants.
Check your sales channel
HB 398 allows sales to grocery stores, convenience stores, and restaurants in addition to direct sales.
Confirm before you commit
The Georgia Department of Agriculture has the current cottage food details, so confirm the rules before you accept a large order.
The main change is not a new license. It is a change in licensing and where you can sell. Keep the state rules and your local rules together before you plan your next batch for a store or restaurant.
Common questions
Do I need a cottage food license in Georgia now?
No. Georgia removed its cottage food license and licensing fee effective July 1, 2025 under House Bill 398.
Can I sell my bakes to a grocery store or restaurant in Georgia?
Under HB 398, Georgia cottage food operators can sell to grocery stores, convenience stores, and restaurants in addition to selling directly. Each city or county may pass an ordinance prohibiting sales through third-party vendors such as grocery stores and restaurants, so check local rules first.
What foods can I make under Georgia's cottage food law?
Cottage food operators in Georgia are permitted to make only food that is not potentially hazardous.
When did the new Georgia cottage food law take effect?
House Bill 398 took effect on July 1, 2025.
Where is Georgia's cottage food law written?
Georgia's cottage food provisions are codified in Title 26, Chapter 2, Article 19 of the Georgia Code.
Sources
This is general information about Georgia's cottage food law, not legal advice. Rules can change, and your city or county may have its own ordinance. Confirm the current requirements with the Georgia Department of Agriculture or a lawyer.