Can you sell baked goods from home?
Often yes, but it depends on your state. Most states have a cottage food law that lets you sell low-risk baked goods made in a home kitchen, with limits on what you bake, how you label it, where you sell and how much you earn. Some states want a registration or inspection first.
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Your state's cottage food law decides.
There is no single national rule. Each state writes its own cottage food law, and some states also let counties add rules. The law says which foods count, whether you register or get a permit, how labels must read and where you can sell.
Our cottage food study sorts every state by what a home baker needs before the first sale, from nothing at all to a license and a kitchen inspection.
- Start at /permits/data/cottage-food-laws-by-state and find your state.
- Then open your state hub under /permits, which links to the agency pages we read.
What home bakers can usually sell.
Cottage food laws are built around foods that stay safe at room temperature. Breads, cookies, brownies, muffins, many cakes, jams and some candy are the usual examples. Foods that need refrigeration, such as cream-filled pastry, custard, cheesecake and anything with meat, are usually excluded or need a licensed kitchen.
- Check the approved list. A few places, such as DC, approve each product on your registry before you sell it.
- Wedding and custom cakes with fillings that need refrigeration can fall outside the home-baker category.
Labels, limits and where you can sell.
Expect to put your name and address or registration number, a list of ingredients, the net weight, allergens and sometimes a short statement that the food was made in a home kitchen on the label. Many states cap yearly sales. Many limit sales to in-person or in-state buyers, which can rule out shipping across state lines or selling to restaurants and stores.
- Maryland needs no license and Virginia exempts qualifying home foods from state permits, but both keep sales inside the state. DC requires a DC Health registration and an inspected kitchen.
- The detail for all three is in our DC, Maryland and Virginia cottage food guide.
Markets, taxes and insurance.
Being allowed to bake at home is only the first step. A farmers market or craft fair often asks for proof that you follow the law, and sales tax usually still applies to what you sell. Insurance is a separate question that the organizer may require.
- Ask each market what food documents it wants before you apply.
- Keep your licenses, permits and insurance certificates on file and reuse them across applications.
- Apply to markets and events on bzar and pay booth fees by card.
Common questions.
Do I need a license to sell baked goods from home?
Not always. Some states need no license for qualifying baked goods, some want a registration, and some require a permit and kitchen inspection. Check your state's cottage food law.
What baked goods can I sell from home?
Usually foods that do not need refrigeration, such as bread, cookies, brownies and many cakes. Cream-filled and custard items are commonly excluded.
Do I have to pay sales tax on homemade baked goods?
Often yes. Cottage food laws are about food safety, not tax. Ask your state tax agency whether your sales are taxable.
Can I sell baked goods online or ship them?
Some states allow in-state delivery or mail, others limit sales to in-person. Shipping across state lines usually needs a licensed kitchen.
Can I sell from home to friends and neighbors?
Selling from your home is covered by the same state rules, and some states restrict which sales channels count. Check before you start taking regular orders.
Keep reading.
Sources.
Facts on this page come from these sources, checked on 2026-10-11. Details change; tell us at hello@bzar.app if something here is out of date.
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