What Are Cottage Food Laws? A Beginner’s Guide for Home Chefs & Bakers
Learn what Cottage Food laws are, how they differ by state, and how to start selling homemade food legally from your kitchen.
Have you ever thought about turning your love of baking or cooking into a business? Maybe friends keep telling you, “You should sell these cookies!” or you’ve dreamed about having a line of empanadas that people line up for on Saturdays. The good news: you don’t need a commercial kitchen or a huge investment to start.
Thanks to Cottage Food laws, thousands of people across the U.S. have built small but thriving food businesses right from their own kitchens. If you’re wondering what these laws are, how they work, and how to find them in your state, this guide is for you.
This post will cover
What Cottage Food laws are
How they differ by state
How to find the laws in your state
How Hotplate can help home chefs and bakers sell their food
What Are Cottage Food Laws?
In simple terms, Cottage Food laws are state regulations that let people sell certain homemade foods legally from their home kitchens.
These laws exist to make it easier for small food entrepreneurs to get started while still keeping consumers safe. They focus on “low-risk” foods that don’t require refrigeration and are unlikely to cause foodborne illness.
Typical examples of foods allowed:
Breads, cookies, and other baked goods
Candy and fudge
Jams, jellies, and fruit preserves
Dry mixes, spices, or teas
Foods that usually aren’t allowed:
Meat, poultry, or seafood
Cream-filled pastries or dairy-heavy desserts
Anything that needs refrigeration or time/temperature controls
(Texas, however, just passed a bill that allows the sale of some refrigerated foods if you register with the state.)
The big takeaway: Cottage Food laws are designed to give home chefs and bakers a legal path to start selling without needing to rent expensive kitchen space or launch with thousands of dollars up front.
Why Cottage Food Laws Matter for Aspiring Food Entrepreneurs
If you’re serious about selling food, following Cottage Food laws is more than just about being compliant. It’s also a way to get started that tees you up to scale.
Here’s why they matter:
Legitimacy: You’re following the rules and don’t have to worry about being penalized for not doing so.
Affordability: No need to lease a commercial kitchen or buy professional-grade equipment right away.
Low barrier to entry: Perfect for testing a new idea without needing large upfront investment
Path to growth: Many successful brands started as cottage food businesses before scaling to farmers markets, retail, or wholesale.
In other words, Cottage Food laws allow you to start small, experiment, and build a customer base without taking on huge financial risks.
How Cottage Food Laws Differ by State
Here’s where it gets a little tricky: every state has its own rules.
Some states are very flexible, while others are much more restrictive. The main differences you’ll see are:
Foods allowed: California, for example, allows a wide variety of baked and canned goods, while New York has stricter limits.
Sales channels: Some states let you sell online and deliver directly to customers. Others limit you to farmers markets, roadside stands, or direct pickup from your home.
Revenue caps: Many states limit how much you can sell per year (e.g., $25k, $50k, or $75k in gross sales).
Permits and training: You may need a food safety course, a local business license, or an inspection before you can start selling.
Labeling requirements: Most states require a simple label with ingredients, allergens, and a statement like “Made in a home kitchen.”
A few quick examples:
California: Has “Class A” (direct-to-consumer) and “Class B” (indirect sales through retailers) licenses.
Texas: Broader list of approved foods, but some require you to register with the state.
New York: More restrictive list of allowed products. Worth double-checking before you start.
Because rules differ so much, it’s important to look up your state specifically before you get going.
How to Find Cottage Food Laws in Your State
Not sure where to start? Here are a few easy steps:
Google “[Your State] + Cottage Food Laws.” Most state websites will have a dedicated Cottage Food or Home Food Production page.
Check your Department of Agriculture or Department of Health website. These agencies usually oversee food businesses.
Call your local health department. If you’re confused by what you read online, they can clarify.
Look for local groups. Many states have Facebook groups or associations for Cottage Food Operators who share tips and updates.
Keep checking back. Laws do change! Some states have expanded their rules in recent years to allow more foods or higher revenue caps.
Pro tip: Bookmark the official page for your state. That way you’ll always have the latest info.
Common Questions About Cottage Food Laws
Can I sell food online under Cottage Food laws?
Many states allow online preorders with local delivery or pickup. Others limit you to face-to-face sales only.
Can I ship food across state lines?
Almost never. Cottage Food laws are designed for local sales only.
Do I need to pay taxes?
Yes. Just like any other business, you’ll likely need to collect and remit sales tax.
What if I want to scale up?
If you outgrow revenue caps or want to sell foods outside the Cottage Food list, you’ll need to move into a commercial kitchen or rent space.
How Hotplate Helps Cottage Food Operators Grow
Here’s the challenge: even if your state allows you to sell, managing orders can get messy fast. Texts, DMs, spreadsheets…it can be overwhelming.
That’s where Hotplate comes in.
Hotplate is an online platform designed specifically for food entrepreneurs, including Cottage Food Operators. It helps you:
Run online “drops” where customers preorder and pay in advance.
Only cook what’s been ordered. No wasted time or ingredients.
Manage inventory. Set it and forget it.
Simplify communication with customers thanks to automated order notifications and pickup reminders.
Save time so you can focus on growing your business.
Example: Let’s say you’re a home baker in California. You want to offer a Saturday pickup of sourdough loaves. With Hotplate, you can post your drop, take prepaid orders throughout the week, and bake exactly the number of loaves people ordered. No extra inventory, no last-minute stress.
If you’re starting a food business from home, Hotplate makes it easier to handle the business side so you can focus on what you do best: cooking and baking.
If you’re starting a home food business under Cottage Food laws, Hotplate is the perfect tool to manage and grow your sales.
Cottage Food laws open the door for thousands of home chefs and bakers to turn their passion into income. They let you start small, keep costs low, and sell your food legally in your community.
The first step is simple: look up the laws in your state, make sure you’re compliant, and take the leap. And when you’re ready to manage your orders and grow your customer base, Hotplate is here to help.
Ready to start selling your homemade food? Create your free account today at hotplate.com/sign-up.
