MD Cottage food law
Maryland cottage food law
Maryland cottage food business rules (COMAR 10.15.03.27). Administered by Maryland Department of Health, Office of Food Protection.
- Permit
- No license or health department review for direct-to-consumer sales. Selling to retail stores needs MDH approval through the ID and Retail Sales Request Form, with labels and food safety training records.
- Sales cap
- $50,000 in annual revenue from cottage food sales.
- Where you can sell
- In Maryland only: from home, farmers markets, public events, personal delivery or mail delivery to consumers, or directly to a retail food store (with MDH approval). No out-of-state sales.
- Training
- For retail store sales: a basic food safety course within the past 3 years.
Confirm with Maryland Department of Health, Office of Food Protection. This is a summary of the official guidance listed under Sources, checked September 29, 2026. Official page
What you can make
Non-potentially hazardous foods: breads, cookies, pastries, non-perishable candies, high-acid fruit jams and jellies (pH 4.6 or below), granola, repackaged commercial seasonings and others on MDH's list.
What you can't
Refrigerated baked goods, dairy, meat, poultry, fish, beverages, pickled products, fresh-cut produce, raw sprouts, homemade nut butters.
Label requirements
- "Made by a cottage food business that is not subject to Maryland's food safety regulations."
Outgrowing your home kitchen
We don't have Maryland kitchen listings yet. If you run a commercial kitchen that rents time, add it for free.
Questions people ask
Do I need a permit to sell food from home in Maryland?
No license or health department review for direct-to-consumer sales. Selling to retail stores needs MDH approval through the ID and Retail Sales Request Form, with labels and food safety training records.
How much can I sell under Maryland's cottage food law?
$50,000 in annual revenue from cottage food sales.
Where can I sell cottage food in Maryland?
In Maryland only: from home, farmers markets, public events, personal delivery or mail delivery to consumers, or directly to a retail food store (with MDH approval). No out-of-state sales.
What happens when I outgrow the cottage food law?
If you pass the sales cap or want to make foods the law excludes, you'll need a licensed kitchen. Renting time in a shared commercial kitchen is the usual next step.
Sources
Last checked September 29, 2026.