If you've ever Googled "can I sell food from my home kitchen" at midnight — welcome. You're in exactly the right place, and you're definitely not alone. Cottage food laws are one of the most confusing corners of starting a food business, mostly because every state writes its own rules, changes them constantly, and then buries the updates somewhere on a government website written in 1997.

I'm Amy, and before I built Butter & Sage Market, I spent years untangling this stuff so our vendors wouldn't have to. These guides are the resource I wish I'd had when I started — plain-English breakdowns of what you can sell, where, how much you can make, and whether you need a license or permit before you bake your first sale.

Below you'll find our growing library of state-specific cottage food law guides. Each one covers revenue caps, allowed products, labeling rules, permit requirements, and whether online sales are permitted. Bookmark this page — we update guides when laws change.

What Are Cottage Food Laws?

Cottage food laws are state-level regulations that allow home cooks, bakers, and food makers to produce and sell certain foods directly to consumers — without a commercial kitchen license. Most states limit what you can sell (typically non-hazardous foods like baked goods, jams, and candies), where you can sell it (often farmers markets, roadside stands, and direct-to-consumer), and how much you can earn annually before you need to step up to a licensed kitchen.

The rules vary wildly from state to state. Texas lets you earn up to $150,000 with no permit. Vermont caps you at $30,000 with free registration. Colorado's $10,000 cap sounds discouraging — but there's nuance there that most guides miss. That's why we wrote these ourselves instead of just pointing you to the official government pages (though we always link those too).

Cottage Food Law Guides by State

Click your state to read the full guide. Each one covers: what you can sell, revenue caps, permit and labeling requirements, where you can sell, and online sales rules.

More states being added regularly — check back soon.

Frequently Asked Questions About Cottage Food Laws

Do I need a license to sell food from home?

It depends entirely on your state. Many states — like Georgia, Tennessee, New York, and Virginia — require no license or permit to sell qualifying cottage foods directly to consumers. Others, like Illinois and Washington, require registration or a permit. A few states still require a commercial kitchen for anything beyond very limited sales. Your state guide above will tell you exactly what applies to you.

What foods can I sell under cottage food laws?

Most cottage food laws cover non-potentially-hazardous foods — meaning foods that don't require refrigeration to stay safe. Common examples: baked goods (cookies, cakes, breads, pies with fruit fillings), jams and jellies, candies, roasted nuts, dried herbs, and granola. Foods that typically require a licensed kitchen include anything with cream or custard fillings, fermented goods in some states, and most canned low-acid vegetables. Check your state's specific guide, because the allowed product list varies significantly.

Can I sell cottage food online?

This is where things get interesting. Some states explicitly permit online sales with direct delivery or pickup — Michigan and Oregon are good examples. Others technically allow online sales as long as delivery is in-person (no shipping through UPS or USPS). And a few states only allow face-to-face sales, full stop. The good news: the trend is moving toward more online sales being permitted. Check your state guide for the current status.

How much can I earn selling cottage food?

Revenue caps range from $10,000 (Colorado, for some categories) to no cap at all (Georgia, New York, Tennessee, Virginia). Texas sits at $150,000. Florida is $250,000. The national average is somewhere around $35,000–$50,000, but many states have been raising or eliminating caps as cottage food laws mature. Once you hit your state's cap, you'll need to move to a licensed commercial or shared kitchen — which is a good problem to have, honestly.

My state isn't listed yet. What should I do?

We're adding new state guides regularly. In the meantime, your best starting points are your state's Department of Agriculture website and the National Conference of State Legislatures cottage food law summary. Both will point you to the official statutes. You can also join the Butter & Sage Market vendor community — our vendors help each other navigate these rules all the time.

Ready to Start Selling?

Once you know you're legally clear in your state, the next step is getting your products in front of buyers. Butter & Sage Market is built specifically for small and cottage food businesses like yours — a marketplace where shoppers come looking for exactly what you make. No big-box competition, no algorithm working against you, no tech skills required to set up your shop.

You handle the food. We handle the rest.

Legal note: Cottage food laws change frequently. The guides on this site reflect our best research as of 2026, but always verify current rules with your state's Department of Agriculture or a local attorney before you start selling. This is information, not legal advice.