Cottage food law

Ohio cottage food laws, in plain English.

What you can make in your home kitchen in Ohio, 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

Home Kitchen
Allowed
Annual Sales Limit
No limit for cottage food
License / Permit
Not Required
Online Sales
Not Allowed
TCS / Refrigerated Foods
Not Allowed

Where You Can Sell

Ohio cottage food vendors are permitted to sell through the following channels:

Direct to Consumer Farmers Markets Roadside Stands Retail Stores
Wholesale / Retail
Allowed
Pop-Up / Craft Fairs
Not Allowed
Interstate Sales
In-State Only

License & Permit Requirements

Food Safety Course
Not Required
Kitchen Inspection
Not Required

Annual Sales Limits

No Annual Sales Cap — Ohio places no limit on your cottage food revenue. Grow as big as your kitchen (and your schedule) can handle!

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.

Acidified foods are not allowed under Ohio's standard cottage food law. Pickles, hot sauces, fermented products, and similar items require a licensed commercial kitchen or separate processing permit in this state.

Important Notes

No permit required. Products may be sold directly and through licensed retail food establishments and to restaurants. The required statement must be in at least 10-point type (OAC 901:3-20).

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 Ohio?

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 Ohio 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

Checking another state? All 50 are here.

Every state’s cottage food law, side by side.

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