Arizona cottage food law
Last updated: · Research verified · Free PDF report
Tier: Great. No or very high sales cap, broad product list, multiple sales channels including retail and online. Most home bakers can run a meaningful operation here.
How to start in Arizona
A practical path from “am I allowed?” to first sale. Not legal advice — confirm every step with Arizona agencies and your local offices.
Confirm your products are allowed
Arizona allows Producers can sell almost any type of food, including products containing meat (from approved federal-exemption sources) and perishable foods. Non-dairy, non-meat products can be sold anywhere including online, in stores, and via third-party delivery. The program has approximately 10,000 registered businesses as of 2024.. High-risk or refrigerated foods usually need a commercial kitchen — not a cottage exemption.
Choose sales channels you can actually use
Sales cap: No cap. Indirect / wholesale-style sales: Yes. Farmers markets and direct-to-consumer pickup are the usual start. Check county and city rules before advertising porch pickup.
Clear local zoning, licenses, and tax IDs
State cottage food rules are the floor. Your city or county may still require a business license, home occupation approval, HOA permission, or sales tax registration. Do this before you print an address on Instagram.
Registration, training, and kitchen rules
State registration: Yes. Food handler / training: Yes (specific course). Kitchen inspection: No. Complete certificates the market or agency will ask for.
Build compliant labels
Use the Arizona label requirements on this site (and the free template). Match disclaimer language to the statute or agency guide before you print a batch.
Soft-launch, then first paid sales
Keep a simple sales log from day one so you stay under any annual cap. Soft-launch with pre-orders before a full market day.
Verify with official sources
Re-check the state cottage food page and your local health / planning office before you invest in equipment or marketing. Rules change.
What usually goes on the package
- Product name (common or usual name of the food)
- Business or producer name
- Producer address (or address alternative your state allows)
- Ingredients in descending order by weight
- Major allergen disclosures (e.g. wheat, milk, eggs, soy, tree nuts, peanuts, fish, shellfish, sesame)
- Net weight or quantity
- Home-kitchen disclaimer required by Arizona (exact wording may be set by statute or agency)
This is a planning checklist compiled for home bakers. It is not legal, tax, or zoning advice.
Arizona vs neighboring cottage food laws
Tier and sales-cap snapshot for Arizona and nearby states. Click through for full rules, labeling, and county pages.
| State | Tier | Sales cap | Guide |
|---|---|---|---|
| ArizonaYou are here | Great | None | This page |
| California | Good | Tiered (see notes) | California law → |
| Colorado | Great | Tiered (see notes) | Colorado law → |
| New Mexico | Great | None | New Mexico law → |
| Nevada | Okay | 35000 | Nevada law → |
| Utah | Freedom | None | Utah law → |
Need a compliant product label for Arizona? Open the Arizona label mockup.
None
Producers can sell almost any type of food, including products containing meat (from approved federal-exemption sources) and perishable foods. Non-dairy, non-meat products can be sold anywhere including online, in stores, and via third-party delivery. The program has approximately 10,000 registered businesses as of 2024.
Registration: Yes. Food handler cert: Yes (specific course).
Arizona Cottage Food Program
Verbatim excerpt36-931. Definitions. 1. "Cottage food product": (a) Means a food that is prepared in a home kitchen by or under the direct supervision of an individual who is registered with the department and that either, as defined by the department in rule: (i) Is not potentially hazardous or does not require time or temperature control for safety. (ii) Is potentially hazardous or requires time or temperature control for safety. (b) Does not include alcoholic beverages, unpasteurized milk or foods that are or that contain alcoholic beverages, fish and shellfish products, meat, meat by-products, poultry or poultry by-products unless the sale of those items is allowed by federal law. 3. "Home kitchen" means a kitchen in the residential home or dwelling of the individual who is registered with the department to prepare cottage food products, of a type that is normally found in a residential home and that does not exceed one thousand square feet. 36-932. A. Cottage food products must be packaged at home with an attached label in a clear and legible printed or handwritten font that clearly states the name and registration number of the food preparer; lists all ingredients and the production date; includes the statement: "This product was produced in a home kitchen that may come in contact with common food allergens and pet allergens and is not subject to public health inspection." C. The person preparing the cottage food product or directly supervising the food preparation must complete a food handler training course from an accredited program and maintain active certification. The food preparer must register with the online registry established by the department.
Source: azleg.gov/ars/36/00931.htm →
Arizona Cottage Food Law — Full PDF report
A comprehensive report covering the Arizona statute, every county we've researched, and authoritative source URLs.
Download PDFWhere to verify Arizona's rules
Arizona Cottage Food Law — Official Guidance Summary
Official agency guidance changes without notice. The text below is reproduced for reference only — always confirm current rules on the agency website before relying on it.
- Arizona Department of Health Serviceshttps://azdhs.gov/preparedness/epidemiology-disease-control/food-safety-environmental-services/index.php#cottage-food
Arizona's cottage food rules are set by A.R.S. §36-931 / §36-932. The summary below is drawn from Crosodo's verified statute research and official agency guidance. Always confirm current requirements on the state agency website before you sell.
Program basics
- Arizona Cottage Food Program
- None
- Yes
- Yes (specific course)
- No
Allowed products and sales channels
- Producers can sell almost any type of food, including products containing meat (from approved federal-exemption sources) and perishable foods. Non-dairy, non-meat products can be sold anywhere including online, in stores, and via third-party delivery.
- The program has approximately 10,000 registered businesses as of 2024.
- Alcoholic beverages, unpasteurized milk, and foods containing alcohol are prohibited. Fish, shellfish, and general meat or poultry products are excluded unless meeting a federal exemption. Products containing marijuana or marijuana by-products are prohibited.
- Retail and wholesale sales are allowed for non-dairy/non-meat products; stores must display homemade products separately from commercially produced items; dairy and meat products must be sold directly in person (online orders allowed but must be delivered in person, not via third-party platforms).
Labeling
- Labels must include the producer's name and registration number, all ingredients and production date, and the required allergen/inspection disclaimer statement. For online listings, the same information must appear prominently. A department-provided website for consumer reporting must also be referenced.
Statute excerpt
- 36-931. Definitions. 1. "Cottage food product": (a) Means a food that is prepared in a home kitchen by or under the direct supervision of an individual who is registered with the department and that either, as defined by the department in rule: (i) Is not potentially hazardous or does not require time or temperature control for safety. (ii) Is potentially hazardous or requires time or temperature control for safety.
- (b) Does not include alcoholic beverages, unpasteurized milk or foods that are or that contain alcoholic beverages, fish and shellfish products, meat, meat by-products, poultry or poultry by-products unless the sale of those items is allowed by federal law. 3.
- "Home kitchen" means a kitchen in the residential home or dwelling of the individual who is registered with the department to prepare cottage food products, of a type that is normally found in a residential home and that does not exceed one thousand square feet. 36-932. A.
- Cottage food products must be packaged at home with an attached label in a clear and legible printed or handwritten font that clearly states the name and registration number of the food preparer; lists all ingredients and the production date; includes the statement: "This product was produced in a home kitchen that may come in contact with common food allergens and pet allergens and is not subject to public health inspection." C.
- The person preparing the cottage food product or directly supervising the food preparation must complete a food handler training course from an accredited program and maintain active certification. The food preparer must register with the online registry established by the department.
Official sources
- State agency cottage food page: https://azdhs.gov/preparedness/epidemiology-disease-control/food-safety-environmental-services/index.php#cottage-food
- Statute: https://www.azleg.gov/arsDetail/?title=36
Summarized from official Arizona cottage food statute research and agency guidance. Agency rules change — verify on the official site before relying on this information.
Arizona Counties
15 counties tracked. Pick yours for the local zoning + health department links.
View all 15 counties →City zoning rules in Arizona
City zoning rules apply on top of the state cottage food law — home occupation, customer pickup, signage, and employees.
The Cottage Baker's Field Guide (PDF)
A 6-page reference covering all 51 jurisdictions with methodology and tier explainers — same data as this directory, ready to print and tape to your wall.
Download the PDFWas this page helpful?
Arizona cottage food law — FAQ
Do I need a license or permit to sell homemade food in Arizona?
Yes — Yes. Food handler certification: Yes (specific course).
What foods can I sell under the Arizona cottage food law?
Producers can sell almost any type of food, including products containing meat (from approved federal-exemption sources) and perishable foods. Non-dairy, non-meat products can be sold anywhere including online, in stores, and via third-party delivery. The program has approximately 10,000 registered businesses as of 2024.
Is there a sales cap for cottage food in Arizona?
None
How good is Arizona's cottage food law?
Arizona is a Great-tier cottage food state by Crosodo's rating criteria. No or very high sales cap, broad product list, multiple sales channels including retail and online. Most home bakers can run a meaningful operation here.
Keep exploring Arizona
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What bakers ask about Arizona
Seed threads for markets, zoning, and labels — join the channel or ask the directory.
Farmers market process in Arizona?
Which markets welcome cottage bakers, what they charge, and label checks on day one.
Good label printers in Arizona?
Local print shops or home setups that handle home-kitchen disclaimers cleanly.
Zoning experience in Arizona counties?
Home occupation, pickup traffic, signage — what did your planning office actually require?
How I got legal in Arizona
Registration portal tips, food handler cert, and the county step nobody publishes.
Arizona label wording that passed review
Share real labels (blur personal info) and any county extras beyond the state minimum.
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Resources for cottage food and home bakers
Supplies, courses, insurance, farmers markets, kitchen rentals, and local services. To advertise here, visit crosodo.com/advertise. Browse all classifieds.
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Reach home bakers in Arizona. Supply stores, farmers markets, kitchen rentals, co-packer referrals, and bakery services are welcome.
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Cottage food laws are amended every year. This is a starting reference, not legal advice. Verify with Arizona Department of Health Services and your local health department before relying on this data.