Cottage food law
Washington cottage food laws, in plain English.
What you can make in your home kitchen in Washington, 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
Washington cottage food vendors are permitted to sell through the following channels:
Online Sales & Shipping
Online orders and payment are allowed, but all product handoffs must be person-to-person — either the customer picks up at the producer's home or the producer (or a household member) personally delivers. Shipping via USPS, UPS, FedEx, or any courier is prohibited. All transactions must stay within Washington state.
License & Permit Requirements
Permit type: Cottage Food Business Registration or Home-Based Processor License
Annual Sales Limits
Cottage food sales in Washington cannot exceed this amount in a calendar year.
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
Washington cottage food permit: $35,000 annual cap, direct-to-consumer only, kitchen inspection required.
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 Washington?
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 Washington 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.
