Cottage food law
Montana cottage food laws, in plain English.
What you can make in your home kitchen in Montana, where you can sell it, how much you can earn and whether you need a permit. No legalese, just the facts.
Updated for 2026 · Always confirm with your state
Montana's food freedom law is more permissive than standard cottage food laws — fewer restrictions on product categories, sales channels, and revenue limits. The rules below reflect this expanded framework.
At a Glance
Montana's cottage food law is one of the most permissive in the country: no sales cap, no permit, no inspection. Allows TCS foods including dairy-based products, egg-containing items, and certain fermented/pickled foods. Products must be direct-to-consumer and labeled with producer name, address, product name, ingredients, and cottage food disclaimer.
Where You Can Sell
Montana cottage food vendors are permitted to sell through the following channels:
Online Sales & Shipping
Online sales are allowed but restricted to direct-to-consumer sales within Montana. Third-party and wholesale sales are not permitted.
License & Permit Requirements
Annual Sales Limits
Acidified & Fermented Foods
Acidified foods include pickles, hot sauces, salsas, fermented vegetables, and other products with a pH at or below 4.6. These are regulated separately in most states.
Important Notes
Montana's Local Food Choice Act (SB 199, 2021): no sales cap, no permit. The Act sets no label wording, but the buyer must be told the food is not licensed, permitted, certified, packaged, labeled or inspected per any official regulations. Sales are maker-to-consumer only; no third party or wholesale.
Official Sources
Always verify cottage food laws directly with your state agency — laws change, and we want you selling with confidence.
Information last updated: October 11, 2026. Cottage food laws change frequently — always confirm with your state.
Ready to sell in Montana?
Rules checked. Now open your shop.
A free Butter & Sage shop takes the orders, the payments and the pickup times, so you can stay in the kitchen. Neighbors in Montana find you on our map and order ahead.
- A free shop with your own look
- Pre-orders with pickup or delivery times
- Your shop on the local map and the farmers market directory
- Labels with your state’s required statement filled in
More free tools
Free tools for small food businesses.
No sign-up, no catch. Use them as often as you like.
- Bread CalculatorBaker's percentages to batch size, hydration and levain.
- Cake CalculatorGuest count to cake size, or cake size to servings, with a cutting map.
- Market Prep PlannerHow much to bring to market, with a safety buffer.
- Recipe Pricing CalculatorIngredients, labor and margin to a price that pays you.
- Recipe ScalerAny recipe up or down, with smart rounding.
- Cottage Food Label MakerA compliant label for your cottage food products.
- Brand Generator & Social StudioBooth signs, labels and posts that all match.Bloom
Checking another state? All 50 are here.
Every state’s cottage food law, side by side.
