Washington cottage food law
Washington lets you sell home-made foods with a WSDA permit, in person and straight to customers, up to $35,000 a year. No shipping and no selling through stores.
Checked against the law
The rules at a glance
Cottage Food Permit
Unattended honesty stand?
Not addressedState law is unclear here. Check with your county and city as well as WSDA.
Source
Products produced by a cottage food operation must be sold by the cottage food operator directly to the consumer
Washington Administrative Code, Chapter 16-149
Sign up with the state?
YesA WSDA permit, $355 for two years.
Source
The fee is $355.00 for a two year permit
WSDA: Cottage Food
Food safety class?
YesA food safety class and a food worker card.
Source
Prior to permitting, the cottage food operator shall successfully complete a food safety training program and hold a valid food worker card
Washington Administrative Code, Chapter 16-149
Kitchen inspection?
YesBefore your permit is issued.
Source
your kitchen and all permitted areas identified in the permit application must be inspected by a representative of the WSDA
WSDA: Cottage Food
Yearly sales limit
$35,000 a yearGross sales, not profit.
Source
the annual gross sales of cottage food products may not exceed $35,000
Revised Code of Washington, Chapter 69.22The current dollar limit is $35,000.00 in gross sales annually
WSDA: Cottage Food
Foods that need a fridge?
NoSource
A cottage food operation is allowed to produce food items that are nonpotentially hazardous
Washington Administrative Code, Chapter 16-149
Take orders online?
SometimesA website can show your products, but the sale happens in person.
Source
A cottage food operation may maintain an internet website displaying available products provided any sales arising from the website are completed as in-person transactions
Washington Administrative Code, Chapter 16-149
Ship or mail orders?
NoSource
Cottage food operations are prohibited from shipping product, conducting mail order sales, selling products by consignment or wholesale, and selling product outside of the state
Washington Administrative Code, Chapter 16-149
Sell through shops?
NoSource
Cottage food operations are prohibited from shipping product, conducting mail order sales, selling products by consignment or wholesale, and selling product outside of the state
Washington Administrative Code, Chapter 16-149
What goes on the label
Required wording
Made in a Home Kitchen that has not been subject to standard inspection criteria.
In at least 11-point type.
Source
The following statement printed in at least the equivalent 11-point type in a color that provides a clear contrast to the background label: "Made in a Home Kitchen that has not been subject to standard inspection criteria
Washington Administrative Code, Chapter 16-149
The label also shows
- Your business name and permit number
- The name of the food
- Ingredients, heaviest first
- Net weight or volume
- Allergens
Source
The name and permit number issued under RCW 69.22.030 of the business of the cottage food operation
Washington Administrative Code, Chapter 16-149The ingredients of the cottage food product, in descending order of predominance by weight
Washington Administrative Code, Chapter 16-149The net weight or net volume of the cottage food product
Washington Administrative Code, Chapter 16-149
Before your first sale
This is general information, not legal advice. Check with the Washington State Department of Agriculture (WSDA) before you sell, and again if you add a new food or a new way of selling.
We check these sources every month and update this page when they change.