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Selling food made at home in District of Columbia

Sources last read Oct 24, 2026

What District of Columbia lets you make and sell from a home kitchen, in the state's own words with a link to each, and what changes when a store wants to stock you.

Run the free rules check: no account, no AI.

General information, not advice. This is written for small food makers and cites its sources, but it is not legal, regulatory or food-safety advice, and it cannot account for your product, your state or your facility. Rules change and thresholds are adjusted yearly. Confirm anything you are about to act on with your state agency, a Process Authority, or the FDA.

Who regulates food made at home in District of Columbia?

The District of Columbia Department of Health. Its own page for the Cottage Food Business:

District of Columbia Department of Health, Cottage Food Businesses

What may I make at home in District of Columbia?

Each sentence below is quoted from District of Columbia's own pages as ShelfStep read them on October 24, 2026, with a link to where it is written.

  • District of Columbia's Cottage Food Business rules: what may be made at homeD.C. Code § 7-742.01, Definitions (D.C. Law Library) says:“(2) “Cottage food business” means a business that: (A) Produces or packages cottage food products in a residential kitchen; (B) Sells the cottage food products in accordance with § 7-742.02 and regulations adopted by the Department of Health; and (C) Repealed. (D) Has obtained a home occupancy permit”D.C. Code § 7-742.01, Definitions (D.C. Law Library) · Read Oct 24, 2026
  • District of Columbia's Cottage Food Business rules: what may be made at homeD.C. Code § 7-742.01, Definitions (D.C. Law Library) says:“(3) “Cottage food product” means a non-potentially hazardous food, as specified in regulations adopted by the Department of Health, that is sold to consumers, including through direct, retail, wholesale to licensed food establishments, and online sales, within the District of Columbia in accordance with § 7-742.02 and regulations adopted by the Department of Health.”D.C. Code § 7-742.01, Definitions (D.C. Law Library) · Read Oct 24, 2026
  • District of Columbia's Cottage Food Business rules: what may be made at homeDistrict of Columbia Department of Health, Cottage Food Business Registry Application (Sept. 2021), Approved Food Items says:“Please note, the foods listed in this section are the only foods that are allowed to be processed, packaged, stored, and sold from a Cottage Food Business.* Baked goods (without cream, custard, cheese, or meat fillings) such as breads, biscuits, churros, muffins, rolls, scones, and sweet breads Cakes, including celebration cakes (birthday, anniversary, and wedding) Fruit pies, fruit empanadas, and fruit tamales Dry baking mixes Jams, jellies, syrups, marmalades, and other preserves Vinegar and flavored vinegars Unfilled baked donuts Waffles or waffle cones”District of Columbia Department of Health, Cottage Food Business Registry Application (Sept. 2021), Approved Food Items · Read Oct 24, 2026
  • District of Columbia's Cottage Food Business rules: what may be made at homeDistrict of Columbia Department of Health, Cottage Food Business Registry Application (Sept. 2021), Approved Food Items says:“Cereals, trail mixes, and granola Candies, such as brittles, toffee, chocolates, cotton candy, fudge, truffles, and confections Dried pastas Dry tea blends Pastries, pies, brownies, cookies, tortillas, and Pizzelles Roasted coffee, whole beans or ground Snacks such as caramel corn, chocolate-covered nonperishable foods, nuts and dried fruits, crackers, pretzels, seeds, popcorn, and popcorn balls Honey and honeycomb ** ... **Registrants for cottage food businesses shall comply with “Sustainable Urban Agriculture Apiculture Act of 2012,” and provide proof they are registered with the District’s Department of Energy and Environment in accordance with Subtitle B of the Act – “Promoting Urban Agriculture Through Beekeeping””District of Columbia Department of Health, Cottage Food Business Registry Application (Sept. 2021), Approved Food Items · Read Oct 24, 2026
  • District of Columbia's Cottage Food Business rules: what may be made at homeDistrict of Columbia Department of Health, Cottage Food Business Registry Application (Sept. 2021), Approved Food Items says:“*If an applicant wishes to produce a food that is not listed below and/or it is not on the approved foods list, the applicant must submit confirmation of the food product’s pH value and water activity from any state accredited laboratory as an attachment to this application, and that food product must be approved by the Department of Health.”District of Columbia Department of Health, Cottage Food Business Registry Application (Sept. 2021), Approved Food Items · Read Oct 24, 2026

What may I not make at home in District of Columbia?

  • District of Columbia's Cottage Food Business rules: what may not be made at homeD.C. Code § 7-742.02, Cottage food businesses (D.C. Law Library) says:“The cottage food business shall not produce, package, or sell any food products that are not allowed by the Department nor use any processes and activities that are not allowed by the Department.”D.C. Code § 7-742.02, Cottage food businesses (D.C. Law Library) · Read Oct 24, 2026
  • District of Columbia's Cottage Food Business rules: what may not be made at homeD.C. Municipal Regulations, Title 25-K §§ 105–106, Cottage Food Regulations (D.C. Register, Dec. 29, 2017) says:“105.1 A cottage food business shall not produce, package, or sell food products which require temperature control for safety. A cottage food business shall not: (a) Process potentially hazardous foods; ... (b) Process acidified and low acid canned food; (c) Process food using reduced oxygen packaging; (d) Smoke or cure food; (e) Press juices or vegetables; (f) Pasteurize; (g) Can any food products, including but not limited to fruits, vegetables, vegetable butters, salsas, and similar foods; (h) Hermetically seal food in jars;”D.C. Municipal Regulations, Title 25-K §§ 105–106, Cottage Food Regulations (D.C. Register, Dec. 29, 2017) · Read Oct 24, 2026
  • District of Columbia's Cottage Food Business rules: what may not be made at homeD.C. Municipal Regulations, Title 25-K §§ 105–106, Cottage Food Regulations (D.C. Register, Dec. 29, 2017) says:“106.1 A cottage food business shall not sell potentially hazardous foods as defined in Section 991 below and by the District Food Code Regulations (Title 25-A DCMR) including but not limited to the following food: (a) Fish or shellfish products; (b) Fresh, dried, or dehydrated meat or meat products, including jerkies; (c) Fresh, dried, or dehydrated poultry or poultry products; (d) Baked goods that require any type of refrigeration such as cream, custard, or meringue pies and cakes or pastries with cream cheese icings or filings; (e) Cheese made with unpasteurized milk; (f) Focaccia-style breads with vegetables and/or cheeses; (g) Raw-seed sprouts, including but not limited to alfalfa sprouts or bean sprouts; ... (h) Raw cookie dough; (i) Canned pickled products such as corn relish, pickles, or sauerkraut; (j) Milk and dairy products including hard, soft and cottage cheeses, and yogurt; (k) Mushrooms; (l) Cut fresh fruits and/or vegetables; (m) Food products made from cut fresh fruits or vegetables; (n) Food products made with cooked vegetable products; (o) Garlic and/or vegetable in oil mixtures; (p) Sugar-free products, such as jams, jellies, syrups, marmalades and other preserves; (q) Pumpkin or fruit butters; (r) Ice or ice products; (s) Barbeque sauces, ketchups and/or mustards; or (t) Foods not intended for human consumption such as pet foods and/or treats.”D.C. Municipal Regulations, Title 25-K §§ 105–106, Cottage Food Regulations (D.C. Register, Dec. 29, 2017) · Read Oct 24, 2026
  • District of Columbia's Cottage Food Business rules: what may not be made at homeDistrict of Columbia Department of Health, Important Information for Cottage Food Business Registry Applicants (August 2021) says:“Only food products that do not require refrigeration once prepared will be allowed to be processed from a Cottage Food Business.”District of Columbia Department of Health, Important Information for Cottage Food Business Registry Applicants (August 2021) · Read Oct 24, 2026

What must a home-made label say in District of Columbia?

  • District of Columbia's Cottage Food Business rules: the home-made labelD.C. Code § 7-742.02, Cottage food businesses (D.C. Law Library) says:“(G) The following statement printed in 10-point or larger type in a color that provides a clear contrast to the background of the label: “Made by a cottage food business that is not subject to the District of Columbia's food safety regulations.”D.C. Code § 7-742.02, Cottage food businesses (D.C. Law Library) · Read Oct 24, 2026
  • District of Columbia's Cottage Food Business rules: the home-made labelD.C. Code § 7-742.02, Cottage food businesses (D.C. Law Library) says:“(c) The owner of a cottage food business may sell only cottage food products that are: (1) Stored on the premises of the cottage food business; and (2) Prepackaged with a label that contains the following information: (A) The cottage food business identification number; (B) The name of the cottage food product; (C) The ingredients of the cottage food product in descending order of the amount of each ingredient by weight; (D) The net weight or net volume of the cottage food product; (E) Allergen information as specified by federal labeling requirements; (F) If any nutritional claim is made, nutritional information as specified by federal labeling requirements; and”D.C. Code § 7-742.02, Cottage food businesses (D.C. Law Library) · Read Oct 24, 2026
  • District of Columbia's Cottage Food Business rules: the home-made labelD.C. Municipal Regulations, Title 25-K § 104, Cottage Food Regulations (D.C. Register, Dec. 29, 2017) says:“104.1 A cottage food business shall label each food product in accordance with Section 4932(c)(2) of Section 2 of the Cottage Food Amendment Act of 2013 (D.C. Official Code § 7-742.02(c)(2) (2016 Supp.)), and in accordance with 21 CFR part 101 (2016), Food Labeling.”D.C. Municipal Regulations, Title 25-K § 104, Cottage Food Regulations (D.C. Register, Dec. 29, 2017) · Read Oct 24, 2026

Where may I sell food made at home in District of Columbia?

  • District of Columbia's Cottage Food Business rules: where it may be soldDistrict of Columbia Department of Health, Cottage Food Businesses says:“The Cottage Food Act of 2013, which took effect on January 25, 2014 (D.C. Law 20-63; D.C. Official Code § 7-742.01), was amended by the Certificate of Need Improvement Amendment Act of 2025 (D.C. Law 26-7) , effective June 10, 2025. This amendment allows Cottage Food Businesses to sell certain food products from their residential kitchens. These businesses may sell directly to consumers through direct, retail (excluding sales to restaurants and grocery stores), and online sales within the District of Columbia.”District of Columbia Department of Health, Cottage Food Businesses · Read Oct 24, 2026
  • District of Columbia's Cottage Food Business rules: where it may be soldDistrict of Columbia Department of Health, Cottage Food Businesses says:“Pursuant to the 2025 amendment, Cottage Food Businesses may also sell wholesale to licensed food establishments, consistent with applicable District laws and regulations.”District of Columbia Department of Health, Cottage Food Businesses · Read Oct 24, 2026

What do I do before I start in District of Columbia?

  • District of Columbia's Cottage Food Business rules: what comes before the first saleD.C. Code § 7-742.02, Cottage food businesses (D.C. Law Library) says:“(b) (1) A cottage food business shall register with the Cottage Food Business Registry within the Department before beginning operation.”D.C. Code § 7-742.02, Cottage food businesses (D.C. Law Library) · Read Oct 24, 2026
  • District of Columbia's Cottage Food Business rules: what comes before the first saleD.C. Code § 7-742.02, Cottage food businesses (D.C. Law Library) says:“(2) The Department may perform an inspection of the cottage food business before that business may sell its cottage food products. ... (4) The Department shall have the authority to enter the premises of a cottage food business registered with the CFBR to conduct a pre-operational inspection and to investigate complaints pertaining to the sale or preparation of cottage food products pursuant to subsection (d) of this section.”D.C. Code § 7-742.02, Cottage food businesses (D.C. Law Library) · Read Oct 24, 2026
  • District of Columbia's Cottage Food Business rules: what comes before the first saleD.C. Code § 7-742.02, Cottage food businesses (D.C. Law Library) says:“(3) The Department shall issue a cottage food business identification number and certificate to each registered cottage food business. Upon receipt of a cottage food business identification number and certificate, the cottage food business shall be authorized to produce, package, and sell the temperature control for safety food products on the approved food products list issued by the Department, set forth in section 103.5 of Title 25-K of the District of Columbia Municipal Regulations (25-K DCMR 103.5).”D.C. Code § 7-742.02, Cottage food businesses (D.C. Law Library) · Read Oct 24, 2026
  • District of Columbia's Cottage Food Business rules: what comes before the first saleDistrict of Columbia Department of Health, Cottage Food Businesses says:“Information to Review and Obtain Before You Apply Home Occupancy Permit ... Proof of calibrated scale(s) if your food will be sold by weight ... Certified Food Protection Manager Certification (CFPM) ... DC-Issued Certified Protection Manager ID-Card, Issued by DC Health based on your CFPM Certification.”District of Columbia Department of Health, Cottage Food Businesses · Read Oct 24, 2026
  • District of Columbia's Cottage Food Business rules: what comes before the first saleDistrict of Columbia Department of Health, Important Information for Cottage Food Business Registry Applicants (August 2021) says:“Submit a Registration Fee of $50.00 to DC Health in the form of check, money order, cash, or credit/debit. ... DC Health will approve or deny your properly completed registry application within thirty (30) business days. If approved, DC Health may conduct a preoperational inspection of your premises within fourteen days (14) days of the registry approval.”District of Columbia Department of Health, Important Information for Cottage Food Business Registry Applicants (August 2021) · Read Oct 24, 2026
  • District of Columbia's Cottage Food Business rules: what comes before the first saleDistrict of Columbia Department of Health, Important Information for Cottage Food Business Registry Applicants (August 2021) says:“The Cottage Food Business Registration Certificate will list the cottage food products for which you are approved to produce and sell and will be valid for a period of two (2) years. If, after two (2) years, you wish to continue to operate as a Cottage Food Business, you must submit a new registry application and fee to DC Health for review. ... If you wish to add food items to your business after your registry application has been approved and you are in operation, you will be required to submit a new application with the required Registration Fee.”District of Columbia Department of Health, Important Information for Cottage Food Business Registry Applicants (August 2021) · Read Oct 24, 2026

What happens when I outgrow District of Columbia's home-kitchen rules?

  • District of Columbia's Cottage Food Business rules: what applies beyond the home-kitchen rulesD.C. Code § 7-742.02, Cottage food businesses (D.C. Law Library) says:“(a) This section shall not: (1) Apply to a food establishment that is required to have a license under Department regulations; or”D.C. Code § 7-742.02, Cottage food businesses (D.C. Law Library) · Read Oct 24, 2026
  • District of Columbia's Cottage Food Business rules: what applies beyond the home-kitchen rulesD.C. Code § 7-742.02, Cottage food businesses (D.C. Law Library) says:“(a) This section shall not: ... (2) Exempt a cottage food business from any applicable District or federal tax laws.”D.C. Code § 7-742.02, Cottage food businesses (D.C. Law Library) · Read Oct 24, 2026

Beyond a home kitchen, ShelfStep's plan lays out the path a commercial kitchen or a co-packer takes, step by step, for each kind of product.

Source to check: FDA food facility registration
  • FDA's definition of a food facility21 CFR 1.227 says:“Facility means any establishment, structure, or structures under one ownership at one general physical location, or, in the case of a mobile facility, traveling to multiple locations, that manufactures/processes, packs, or holds food for consumption in the United States. ... The private residence of an individual is not a facility.”21 CFR 1.227 · Read Oct 8, 2026
Source to check: Acidified foods under a state's own rules
  • A state’s own rules for acidified foods21 CFR 108.25(i) says:“Wherever the Commissioner finds that any State regulates the commercial processing of acidified foods under effective regulations specifying at least the requirements of part 114 of this chapter, the Commissioner shall issue a notice stating that compliance with such State regulations shall constitute compliance with this section, if the State through its regulatory agency or each processor of acidified foods in the State files with the Food and Drug Administration the registration information and the processing information prescribed in paragraph (c) of this section.”21 CFR 108.25(i) · Read Sep 20, 2026

Where does the path start, whatever you make in District of Columbia?

Whatever the product, ShelfStep's standard plan opens with the same six steps, and the third is the one this page is about: where you are allowed to make it. Each step's reason is the app's own.

  1. 1.

    Write the recipe down with exact amounts

    Cost, price, nutrition and the label are all worked out from this. Write it in the units you actually use; ShelfStep converts for the label. What matters is that someone else could make the same batch from what is written.

  2. 2.

    Decide how it is kept: on a shelf, in the fridge or frozen

    The planned storage helps the reviewer assess the process, shelf life and packaging.

    In the plan: It decides which rules you follow.

  3. 3.

    Find out where you are allowed to make it for sale

    This finds out whether the state’s rules allow making this in a home kitchen or point to a commercial one — and that changes the cost and the timeline of everything after it. It is much cheaper to find out now than after buying packaging.

    In the plan: Your state's home-kitchen rules, in its own words. Whether they cover your product is for your state's agency to say.

  4. 4.

    Have the pH and water activity of a finished batch measured

    These measurements give your reviewer information about the batch; they do not establish safety or storage conditions on their own.

    In the plan: The two numbers the acidified-food rules name. Measured on the finished product, once it has settled.

  5. 5.

    Get a Process Authority's letter on how it is made safe

    Ask a qualified reviewer which process and storage conditions your product needs. This is where you ask someone qualified, a Process Authority, to put in writing how the product is made safe. Buyers, insurers and inspectors may ask for that document, and it cannot be obtained after the fact for product you have already sold.

    In the plan: Needs the pH first. Their letter sets out the process they ask you to hold to, and the storage line for your label.

  6. 6.

    Look into FDA registration

    Registration is how FDA knows your facility exists; the plan is what an inspector or a buyer’s audit asks to see. Both are far easier to do now than during either.

    In the plan: Look into registration with FDA. Any filing your Process Authority letter names belongs here too.

How much do other states let a home kitchen sell in a year?

Not every state sets a yearly ceiling on home-kitchen sales, and those that do set very different ones. What the written-up states other than District of Columbia say, each in its own words:

  • California's Cottage Food Operation rules: a yearly sales ceilingCDPH, Adjusted Gross Annual Sales Limit 2026 says:“January 1, 2026 2024-2025 3.1 $88,878 $177,756”CDPH, Adjusted Gross Annual Sales Limit 2026 · Read Sep 25, 2026
  • Colorado's Cottage Foods Act rules: a yearly sales ceilingCDPHE, Cottage Foods Act says:“Net revenue allowance If I produce muffins, does the Act allow me to earn up to $10,000 for each type (blueberry, banana, chocolate chip)? Yes.”CDPHE, Cottage Foods Act · Read Oct 24, 2026
  • Connecticut's Cottage Food Operator rules: a yearly sales ceilingDCP, Sales and Doing Business in Connecticut says:“Yes, there is a yearly gross sales limit of $50,000. You must maintain records of all sales.”DCP, Sales and Doing Business in Connecticut · Read Oct 24, 2026
  • Florida's Cottage Food Operation rules: a yearly sales ceilingFlorida Statutes §500.80 says:“(1)(a) A cottage food operation must comply with the applicable requirements of this chapter but is exempt from the permitting requirements of s. 500.12 if the cottage food operation complies with this section and has annual gross sales of cottage food products that do not exceed $250,000. (b) For purposes of this subsection, a cottage food operation’s annual gross sales include all sales of cottage food products at any location, regardless of the types of products sold or the number of persons involved in the operation.”Florida Statutes §500.80 · Read Oct 8, 2026
  • Indiana, home-based vendors: a yearly sales ceilingIDOH, Homestead and Small Farm Food Processor Guidance says:“No annual gross income restrictions”IDOH, Homestead and Small Farm Food Processor Guidance · Read Sep 25, 2026
  • Indiana, homestead vendors: a yearly sales ceilingIndiana Code, 2026 edition (IC 16-42-5.3 and 16-42-5.4) says:“Sec. 1. As used in this chapter, "homestead vendor" means a person that prepares and sells food products or meat products from: (1) property or at a farmers market; and (2) which the person does not receive more than one million five hundred thousand dollars ($1,500,000) in gross sales from food products or meat products in a single year.”Indiana Code, 2026 edition (IC 16-42-5.3 and 16-42-5.4) · Read Sep 25, 2026
  • Kentucky's Home-Based Processor rules: a yearly sales ceilingKRS 217.015 (Kentucky General Assembly) says:“and who has a gross income of no more than sixty thousand dollars ($60,000) annually from the sale of the products;”KRS 217.015 (Kentucky General Assembly) · Read Oct 24, 2026
  • Louisiana, the date Act 801 took effect: a yearly sales ceilingLouisiana State Legislature, HB403 (2026 Regular Session) says:“06/08 H Effective date: 08/01/2026. 06/08 H Signed by the Governor. Becomes Act No. 801.”Louisiana State Legislature, HB403 (2026 Regular Session) · Read Oct 24, 2026
  • Louisiana's Low-Risk Foods (R.S. 40:4.9) rules: a yearly sales ceilingLouisiana State Legislature, House Summary of Senate Amendments, HB 403 (2026 Regular Session) says:“1. Changes gross annual sales limit for producers of low-risk, homemade foods from $30,000 to $100,000. ... Proposed law increases the gross annual sales limit for this exemption from $30,000 to $100,000, after which a producer would no longer qualify for the exemption.”Louisiana State Legislature, House Summary of Senate Amendments, HB 403 (2026 Regular Session) · Read Oct 24, 2026
  • Maryland's Cottage Food Business rules: a yearly sales ceilingMaryland General Assembly, 2026 Laws of Maryland Chapter 320 (HB 535) says:“(b–1) "Cottage food business" means a business that: ... (3) Has annual revenues from the sale of cottage food products in an amount not exceeding [$50,000] $100,000. ... SECTION 2. AND BE IT FURTHER ENACTED, That this Act shall take effect October 1, 2026.”Maryland General Assembly, 2026 Laws of Maryland Chapter 320 (HB 535) · Read Oct 8, 2026
  • Michigan's Cottage Food Operation rules: a yearly sales ceilingMDARD, Cottage Food: getting started FAQ says:“The limit is currently gross sales up to $50,000 yearly, however, $75,000 is allowable if the cottage food operation sells cottage food products at a price of $250 or more per unit.”MDARD, Cottage Food: getting started FAQ · Read Oct 8, 2026
  • Michigan's Cottage Food Operation rules: a yearly sales ceilingMichigan Compiled Laws 289.4102 says:“(5) Except as otherwise provided in this subsection, the gross sales of cottage food products by a cottage food operation must not exceed $50,000.00 annually until October 1,2026. ... Beginning October 1, 2026, and by each October 1 thereafter, the department may adjust the gross sales amounts set under this subsection by the amount calculated by multiplying the sales limit in effect during the immediately preceding fiscal year by the inflation adjustment factor and rounding to the nearest whole dollar.”Michigan Compiled Laws 289.4102 · Read Oct 8, 2026
  • Minnesota's Cottage Food Exemption rules: a yearly sales ceiling2024 Minnesota Statutes, 28A.152 Cottage Foods Exemption says:“An individual selling exempt foods under this section is limited to total sales with gross receipts of $78,000 or less in a calendar year.”2024 Minnesota Statutes, 28A.152 Cottage Foods Exemption · Read Oct 24, 2026
  • Mississippi's Cottage Food Operation rules: a yearly sales ceilingMSDH, Cottage Food Operation: Frequently Asked Questions says:“You are limited in the amount of sales you can have selling Cottage Foods, which is $35,000 in gross annual sales.”MSDH, Cottage Food Operation: Frequently Asked Questions · Read Oct 24, 2026
  • Nevada's Cottage Food Operation rules: a yearly sales ceilingNRS 580.600 (Nevada Legislature) says:“(a) "Cottage food operation" means a natural person who manufactures or prepares food items in his or her private home or, if allowed by the food safety authority, in the kitchen of a fraternal or social clubhouse, a school or a religious, charitable or other nonprofit organization, for sale to a natural person for consumption and whose gross sales of such food items are not more than $100,000, as adjusted pursuant to subsection 6, per calendar year.”NRS 580.600 (Nevada Legislature) · Read Oct 24, 2026
  • Nevada's Cottage Food Operation rules: a yearly sales ceilingNRS 580.600 (Nevada Legislature) says:“Beginning with Fiscal Year 2026-2027, the amount of gross sales of a cottage food operation specified in paragraph (a) of subsection 7 must be adjusted for each fiscal year by the Department by adding to the amount the product of the amount multiplied by the percentage increase in the Consumer Price Index (All Items) published by the United States Department of Labor from July 2025 to the July preceding the fiscal year for which the adjustment is calculated. The Department shall publish the adjusted amount on the Internet website of the Department on or before September 30 of each year.”NRS 580.600 (Nevada Legislature) · Read Oct 24, 2026
  • New Jersey's Cottage Food Operator Permit rules: a yearly sales ceilingN.J.A.C. 8:24-11, Cottage Food Operator Rules (NJDOH) says:“(b) The gross annual sales (that is, before deductions of taxes and operating expenses) that a cottage food operator generates from the sale of cottage food products shall not exceed $ 50,000.”N.J.A.C. 8:24-11, Cottage Food Operator Rules (NJDOH) · Read Oct 8, 2026
  • Oklahoma's Local Food Freedom Act rules: a yearly sales ceilingODAFF, Food Safety says:“The maximum allowable earnings for a local food business is $250,000 each year in sales.”ODAFF, Food Safety · Read Oct 24, 2026
  • Oklahoma, the date the $250,000 limit starts: a yearly sales ceilingOklahoma House of Representatives, news release, 7 May 2026 says:“The measure increases the allowable annual sales cap for local food businesses from $75,000 to $250,000 and clarifies how products can be sold and delivered to consumers. ... The measure takes effect Nov. 1, 2026.”Oklahoma House of Representatives, news release, 7 May 2026 · Read Oct 24, 2026
  • Oregon's Cottage Food Exemption rules: a yearly sales ceilingODA, Cottage Food Exemption FAQ (March 2026) says:“In 2026, this means you can sell up to $52,700 of Cottage Foods and up to $50,000 of Processed Farm Direct foods in the calendar year.”ODA, Cottage Food Exemption FAQ (March 2026) · Read Sep 25, 2026
  • Rhode Island's Cottage Food Manufacture rules: a yearly sales ceilingR.I. Gen. Laws § 21-27-6.2, Cottage food manufacture (Rhode Island General Assembly) says:“(6) Total annual gross sales for a cottage food operation shall not exceed fifty thousand dollars ($50,000) per calendar year. ... The director of health shall request documentation to verify the annual gross sales figure of any cottage food operation.”R.I. Gen. Laws § 21-27-6.2, Cottage food manufacture (Rhode Island General Assembly) · Read Oct 24, 2026
  • Texas's Cottage Food Production Operation rules: a yearly sales ceilingTexas Health and Safety Code §437.001 says:“(B) has an annual gross income of $150,000 or less from the sale of food described by Paragraph (A), as the department annually adjusts for inflation using the Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers (CPI-U) published by the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics or its successor in function;”Texas Health and Safety Code §437.001 · Read Sep 25, 2026
  • Vermont's Cottage Food Operation rules: a yearly sales ceilingVermont Department of Health, Manufactured Food Rule (effective 1/15/2026) says:“6.1.1 The following food manufacturing establishments are exempt from the requirement to obtain a license: ... 6.1.1.2 A cottage food operation, as defined in this rule, that has gross annual sales of $30,000 or less from the sale of cottage food products.”Vermont Department of Health, Manufactured Food Rule (effective 1/15/2026) · Read Oct 24, 2026
  • Vermont, food processors with sales of $10,000 or less: a yearly sales ceilingVermont Department of Health, Manufactured Food Rule (effective 1/15/2026) says:“6.1.1 The following food manufacturing establishments are exempt from the requirement to obtain a license: : 6.1.1.1 A non-bakery food manufacturing establishment that has gross annual sales of $10,000 or less; and”Vermont Department of Health, Manufactured Food Rule (effective 1/15/2026) · Read Oct 24, 2026
  • Washington's Cottage Food Operation rules: a yearly sales ceilingRevised Code of Washington, chapter 69.22 says:“the annual gross sales of cottage food products may not exceed $35,000. The determination of the maximum annual gross sales must be computed on the basis of the amount of gross sales within or at a particular domestic residence and may not be computed on a per person basis within or at an individual domestic residence.”Revised Code of Washington, chapter 69.22 · Read Sep 25, 2026
  • Wyoming's Wyoming Food Freedom Act rules: a yearly sales ceilingWyoming Statutes § 11-49-102, Definitions says:“"Producer" means any person who grows, harvests, prepares or processes any food or drink products on the person's owned or leased property, does not produce more than two hundred fifty thousand (250,000) individual food or drink products annually and does not exceed two hundred fifty thousand dollars ($250,000.00) in gross revenue annually from the food and drink products;”Wyoming Statutes § 11-49-102, Definitions · Read Oct 24, 2026

How do I sell a particular product from District of Columbia?

Each product page below shows which of District of Columbia's lines name one kind of product, where the state says you may sell it, and the plan's steps to a store shelf.

Hot sauce in District of ColumbiaSalsa in District of ColumbiaBarbecue sauce in District of ColumbiaPickles in District of ColumbiaSalad dressing in District of ColumbiaPasta sauce in District of ColumbiaJam in District of ColumbiaPepper jelly in District of ColumbiaCookies in District of ColumbiaCrackers in District of ColumbiaBread in District of ColumbiaGranola in District of ColumbiaSpice rubs and blends in District of ColumbiaCandy in District of ColumbiaPopcorn in District of ColumbiaDried fruit in District of ColumbiaBaking mixes in District of ColumbiaPeanut butter in District of ColumbiaCold brew coffee in District of ColumbiaRoasted coffee beans in District of ColumbiaJuice in District of ColumbiaKombucha in District of ColumbiaHummus and dips in District of ColumbiaPesto in District of ColumbiaOlive tapenade in District of ColumbiaFresh pasta in District of ColumbiaBeef jerky in District of ColumbiaSausage in District of ColumbiaCanned soup in District of Columbia

What should I read next?

Can I sell food made in my home kitchen?5 min readDo I need to register with the FDA to sell my food product?4 min readDoes my sauce or salsa need a scheduled process?5 min readWhat does a retail buyer actually ask for?4 min read

Check the rules for your own product

The rules check runs the same deterministic engine ShelfStep uses inside the app, on your answers, and quotes the sentences each rule rests on, with their links and the day ShelfStep read them. It does not decide which apply. It is free, needs no account and uses no AI. A ShelfStep workspace then keeps your plan, your records and the dates, free for one product.

Run the free rules checkStart free
Something here out of date, or a state we should write up next? Email hello@shelfstep.com.