- Home occupation permit required:
- Yes
- Details:
- Burlington requires a home occupation zoning permit (Administrative Approval or Conditional Use Approval via Development Review Board per Section 5.4.6 of Burlington Zoning Ordinance). Burlington is the county seat — city rules apply within Burlington. Chittenden County municipalities each have their own zoning bylaws for home-based businesses. Vermont DOH food licensing is separate from local zoning. Vermont Department of Health licenses and inspects food establishments; cottage food operators with ≤$30,000 qualify for exemption.
- Home kitchen:
- Cottage food operator exemption (Act 42, 2025): gross annual receipts ≤$30,000, production in home kitchen of private residential dwelling or personal property kitchen only. Non-PHF baked goods, candy, jams, jellies, dry herbs, trail mix, granola, cereal, mixed nuts, flavored vinegar, popcorn, coffee beans, dry tea, and home-canned pickles/vegetables/fruits (NCHFP-approved recipes, pH ≤4.6) allowed. Annual attestation and food safety training required.
Last verified 2026-05-05. Not legal advice.
