According to the National Agricultural Law Center, cottage food laws allow entrepreneurs to produce certain low-risk foods (such as baked goods, jams, dry mixes and candies) in their homes with limited regulatory oversight. However, requirements vary widely by state, including what foods can be sold, where they can be sold, registration and reporting requirements, and annual sales limits. Some states impose no sales cap, while others limit producers to just a few thousand dollars per year.
*Note: South Carolina, South Dakota and Vermont’s cottage food laws allow for baked goods ONLY.
This data is updated as of September 10, 2026
