Cottage food law
Illinois cottage food laws, in plain English.
What you can make in your home kitchen in Illinois, 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
At a Glance
Where You Can Sell
Illinois cottage food vendors are permitted to sell through the following channels:
Online Sales & Shipping
Online orders allowed. Shipping is limited to non-TCS foods, in-state only, in tamper-evident packaging.
License & Permit Requirements
Permit type: Cottage food operation registration with the local health department (annual, $50 or less)
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.
Before selling acidified or fermented foods, Illinois requires completion of an approved acidified food processing course (such as Better Process Control School) or lab-verified pH testing. Check with your state agency for approved providers.
Business & Production Rules
Household members only — only people who live in the home may assist with production.
Important Notes
Register with the local health department (annual fee up to $50) and hold a certified food protection manager credential. No sales cap. P.A. 103-903 (effective January 1, 2025) set the current required statement, which must also appear at the point of sale and on the online checkout page.
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 Illinois?
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 Illinois 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.
