How to Sell Food From Home: Permits by State
Verified October 2026 from official state sources.
Every state lets you sell some homemade food from your kitchen. What you can sell, and whether you need a permit, depends on your state. Most states allow baked goods and other shelf-stable foods. A smaller group also allows full home-cooked meals.
Pick your state to see what you can sell, what permit you need, and the official place to apply.
States at a glance
| State | Permit needed? | Home-cooked meals? | Sales limit | Sell online? |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | No permit; county review | No | None | Yes, in Alabama |
| Alaska | No | Yes | None | Yes, in Alaska |
| Arizona | Free registration | Yes | None | Yes, in Arizona |
| Arkansas | None | No | None stated | Yes |
| California | Yes (county) | Yes, in approved areas | $75,000 to $150,000 cottage food | Yes |
| Colorado | None now; registration from 2027 | Limited from Jan 1, 2027 | Check rules | Direct to consumer |
| Connecticut | Yes, $50/yr license | No | $50,000 | In-state transactions only, no shipping |
| Delaware | Yes, $30/yr | No | Not stated | Not allowed |
| Florida | No | No | $250,000 | Yes |
| Georgia | No | No | None | Yes |
| Idaho | Check with your health district | Yes, most foods | Check rules | Sales within Idaho only |
| Illinois | Local registration | No | None | Yes |
| Indiana | No | Yes (since July 2026) | $1.5 million | Direct to customers |
| Iowa | No (cottage food) / $50 license (perishable) | Limited, with license | $50,000 with license | Yes, in Iowa |
| Kansas | None for shelf-stable foods | No | None stated | Yes, direct to consumers |
| Kentucky | Yes, registration | No | Check with the state | Check with the state |
| Maine | Yes, $20/yr license | No | Not stated | Check with the state |
| Maryland | None for direct sales | No | $100,000 | Check with the state |
| Massachusetts | Yes, local board of health | No | None found | Yes, internet and mail |
| Michigan | No | No | $50,000 ($75,000 for items $250+) | Yes, in Michigan |
| Minnesota | Yes, MDA registration | No | $78,000 | Orders yes; in-state shipping from Aug 1, 2027 |
| Mississippi | None | No | $35,000 | Not allowed (advertising only) |
| Missouri | None | No | None | Yes, within Missouri |
| Montana | $40 registration or none (LFCA) | Under Local Food Choice Act | None found | Check rules |
| Nebraska | Yes, NDA registration | Limited (perishable with in-person delivery) | None stated | Mail for shelf-stable foods |
| Nevada | Yes, registration | No | Check rules | Check rules (changes reported for July 2027) |
| New Hampshire | None for local sales; $150 license for online | No | None in statute | With license |
| New Jersey | Yes, $100 permit | No | $50,000 | Check rules |
| New Mexico | None | No | Not stated | Yes, within New Mexico |
| New York | Free registration | No | None stated | Yes, in New York |
| North Carolina | Kitchen inspection | No | None stated | Check rules |
| North Dakota | None | Yes, most foods | None | Delivery allowed; interstate except poultry |
| Ohio | No | No | None stated | Check rules |
| Oklahoma | No | Perishable, no meat | $250,000 (from Nov 1, 2026) | Yes |
| Oregon | None (optional $25 ID) | No | $52,700 (2026) | Yes, online and mail |
| Pennsylvania | Yes, $35 + inspection | No | None stated | Yes |
| Rhode Island | Yes, $65/yr registration | No | $50,000 | Orders yes; in-person delivery in RI |
| South Carolina | None | No | None stated | Check rules |
| South Dakota | None | Limited (some foods with training) | None stated | In-person sales required |
| Tennessee | None | No | None stated | Within Tennessee |
| Texas | No (registration for refrigerated foods) | Perishable, no meat | $150,000 | Yes |
| Utah | Local health permit for meals | Yes | Check local rules | Check local rules |
| Vermont | None up to $30,000 | With Home Caterer license | $30,000 exempt | Check with the state |
| Virginia | No | No | None | Yes, in Virginia |
| Washington | Yes, $355 permit + inspection | No | $35,000 | Orders yes, no shipping |
| Washington, DC | Yes, $50 per 2 years | Check with DC Health | Check with DC Health | Yes, within DC |
| West Virginia | None for shelf-stable; permit for perishable | Yes, with WVDA permit | None stated | Within West Virginia |
| Wisconsin | None for baked goods | No | None stated | Direct to consumers |
| Wyoming | No | Yes | Check rules | Yes, delivery in Wyoming |
Guides for Hawaii and Louisiana are coming soon. See all recent law changes in our 2026 Law Tracker.
2026 Home Food Law TrackerRecent changes and upcoming dates in every stateStates where you can sell home-cooked meals
Alaska, Arizona, California (in approved counties and cities), Idaho, Indiana, Iowa (with a license), North Dakota, Utah (with a local permit), West Virginia (with a state permit) and Wyoming. Texas and Oklahoma allow some refrigerated foods but not meat dishes. Colorado adds limited options on January 1, 2027.
(Each state name links to its page.)
States with no permit for baked goods
Alabama (county review required), Alaska, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Michigan, Missouri, New Mexico, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia, West Virginia, Wisconsin (baked goods only) and Wyoming.
States that inspect your kitchen first
Maine, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, Washington, Utah (for meals), West Virginia (for perishable foods) and California (for some permit types).
Cottage food vs home kitchen: what's the difference?
Cottage food means foods that are safe at room temperature, like breads, cookies, cakes, jams and candy. Every state allows some cottage food.
Home kitchen (called MEHKO in California) means full meals, often including meat, cooked and sold the same day. Only a few states allow this, and some only in certain cities or counties.
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Frequently asked questions
Can I sell food from my house?
- Yes, in every state, but the foods you can sell and the rules differ by state. Most states allow baked goods and shelf-stable foods. A few allow home-cooked meals.
Do I need a permit to sell baked goods from home?
- It depends on your state. Some states need no permit at all, some need a free registration, and some need a paid permit and a kitchen inspection.
Can I sell home-cooked meals from home?
- Only in a few states, including Arizona, Alaska, Wyoming, Utah, Indiana and parts of California. Most states only allow baked goods and other shelf-stable foods.
Can I sell homemade food online?
- Most states allow online orders, but many limit sales to buyers inside the state and some require you to hand over the food in person.
Can I ship homemade food to another state?
- Usually not. Most home food laws only cover sales inside your state. Shipping across state lines can bring in federal rules.
Is this legal advice?
- No. Laws change and can differ by city or county. Always confirm with your state or local health or agriculture department before you sell.
This page is general information, not legal advice. Laws change and can differ by city and county. Confirm with your state or local health or agriculture department before you sell.