Maryland cottage food law

The rules at a glance

Cottage food business

• Unattended honesty stand?

  Not addressed

  The rules don't mention self-serve or honor-system stands. Ask your county.

• Sign up with the state?

  No

  No state license. Counties may have stricter local rules.

  Source

  • By law, cottage food businesses do not require a retail food service facility licenseMaryland Department of Health: Cottage Food Frequently Asked Questions (PDF)
  • However, some jurisdictions may have local laws or ordinances that are more restrictiveMaryland Department of Health: Cottage Food Frequently Asked Questions (PDF)
  • Cottage food businesses are not licensed but must comply with all applicable county and municipal laws and ordinances regulating the preparation, processing, storage, and sale of cottage food productsMaryland Department of Health: Guidelines for Cottage Food Businesses (PDF)

• Food safety class?

  Sometimes

  Only before you sell to a retail food store.

  Source

  • If you plan to sell cottage food products to a retail food store, you must complete a basic food safety training course approved by the American National Standards Institute (ANSI)Maryland Department of Health: Cottage Food Frequently Asked Questions (PDF)

• Kitchen inspection?

  Sometimes

  No routine checks. A complaint can bring an inspection.

  Source

  • A cottage food business doesn't require a preliminary or routine inspectionMaryland Department of Health: Cottage Food Frequently Asked Questions (PDF)
  • if a consumer complaint or illness is reported, the home kitchen may be inspected by the local health departmentMaryland Department of Health: Cottage Food Frequently Asked Questions (PDF)

• Yearly sales limit

  $100,000 a year

  Annual revenue, not profit. The cap is $100,000 from October 1, 2026.

  Source

  • Has annual revenues from the sale of cottage food products in an amount not exceeding [$50,000] $100,000Maryland General Assembly: Chapter 320, Cottage Food Business Maximum Annual Revenue (PDF)
  • this Act shall take effect October 1, 2026Maryland General Assembly: Chapter 320, Cottage Food Business Maximum Annual Revenue (PDF)

• Foods that need a fridge?

  No

  Only shelf-stable, non-potentially hazardous foods.

  Source

  • It also defines a cottage food product as a non-potentially hazardous foodMaryland Department of Health: Guidelines for Cottage Food Businesses (PDF)
  • A non-potentially hazardous/non-perishable food, when stored under normal conditions without refrigeration, will not support the growth of microorganismsMaryland Department of Health: Guidelines for Cottage Food Businesses (PDF)

• Take orders online?

  Sometimes

  You may advertise online, but sales must stay in Maryland.

  Source

  • You may advertise your cottage food products online but sales are restricted to Maryland onlyMaryland Department of Health: Cottage Food Frequently Asked Questions (PDF)

• Ship or mail orders?

  Yes

  By mail, but only within Maryland.

  Source

  • You may mail your product, but only within the State of MarylandMaryland Department of Health: Cottage Food Frequently Asked Questions (PDF)
  • By personal delivery; or (v) By mail orderCode of Maryland Regulations 10.15.03.27: Farmer's Market, Bake Sales, and Cottage Food Business

• Sell through shops?

  Sometimes

  Retail food stores only, after MDH approves you.

  Source

  • Your products cannot be sold to a retail food store until you have received a Maryland Department of Health compliance letterMaryland Department of Health: Cottage Food Frequently Asked Questions (PDF)
  • may not sell or offer for sale a cottage food product to a retail food store until notified by the Department, in writingCode of Maryland Regulations 10.15.03.27: Farmer's Market, Bake Sales, and Cottage Food Business

What goes on the label