Connecticut Cottage Food Law
Tier: Okay. Sales caps under $25,000 and/or limited sales channels. Operable for a side business but you'll likely outgrow the rules at scale.
50000
Allowed foods include non-perishable baked goods, candies, jams and jellies (not fruit butters), dried goods, pasta, spices, and other non-potentially hazardous shelf-stable foods from the official approved foods list. Products must be sold directly to consumers at events, farmers markets, roadside stands, at-home sales, or online (local delivery only).
Registration: Yes. Food handler cert: Yes (specific course).
Connecticut Cottage Food Operation Law (PA 18-141)
Verbatim excerptSec. 21a-62a-1. Definitions. (2) "Cottage food operation" means a person who produces cottage food products only in the home kitchen of that person's private residential dwelling and only for sale directly to the consumer, but does not operate as a food service establishment pursuant to 19a-36 or regulations promulgated pursuant to 21a-101, or a food retailer, distributor or manufacturer as defined in 21a-92(b) and 21a-151. (3) "Cottage food products" means non-potentially hazardous baked goods, jams, jellies, and other non-potentially hazardous foods produced by a cottage food operation. (5) "Private residential dwelling" means an owner or resident occupied dwelling. A private residential dwelling does not include any group or communal residential setting within any type of structure, or outbuilding, shed, barn, or other similar structure. Sec. 21a-62a-2. Prerequisite Requirements. (a) All cottage food operations must be licensed annually by the commissioner of Consumer Protection. The license application form will be developed by the commissioner. The license will specify the food products allowed to be produced by the cottage food operation. The annual license fee for cottage food operations shall be set by the commissioner of Consumer Protection; however, such fee shall not exceed $100.00. (b) Prior to licensing, the commissioner shall, within existing resources, examine the premises of the cottage food operation to determine it to be in compliance with Sections 21a-62a-1 through to Section 21a-62a-7 of the Regulations of Connecticut State Agencies.
Source: eregulations.ct.gov/eRegsPortal/Search/getDocument?guid={50AF7258-0000-C5F0-8C16-E8B672186E56} →
Connecticut Cottage Food Law — Full PDF report
A comprehensive report covering the Connecticut statute, every county we've researched, and authoritative source URLs.
Download PDFWhere to verify Connecticut's rules
Cottage Food in Connecticut — A Guide for Cottage Food Operators
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.
- Connecticut Department of Consumer Protection (DCP)https://portal.ct.gov/-/media/DCP/News-Releases-from-the-Department-of-Consumer-Protection/COTTAGE_FOOD_MANUAL.pdf
Cottage food is food that is made in your home for direct sale to consumers. Public Act 18-141 sets limits on what you may sell in the State of Connecticut. Cottage food operators in Connecticut may apply for a cottage food license and sell once their license is approved. Cottage food must be held to the highest safety standards, and production and sales practices must follow laws and regulations outlined by the State of Connecticut and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
License Requirements
- Obtain, and keep written confirmation, that your space is compliant with local zoning laws.
- If you have a private water supply, the water supply must be tested prior to receiving a license to demonstrate that the water supply is safe to drink. Subsequent testing may be required.
- Complete a food safety training program that includes training in food processing and packaging. A list of acceptable courses can be found at www.portal.ct.gov/cottagefood.
- Apply for a license through DCP, and pay the application fee of $50.00.
- When you apply for your license, you must be prepared to tell DCP what type of food you will be producing.
Types of Food
- Some examples of potentially acceptable cottage food are: loaf breads, rolls and biscuits; non-potentially hazardous cakes including celebration cakes (e.g. birthday cake, but not cheesecake); non-potentially hazardous pastries and cookies; candies and confections; fruit pies (not pumpkin); jams, jellies and preserves (must meet the Standard of Identity in 21CFR150); dried fruits; dry herbs, seasonings and mixtures; non-potentially hazardous cereals, trail mixes and granola; coated or uncoated nuts; vinegar and flavored vinegars; popcorn and popcorn balls; cotton candy.
- PLEASE NOTE: This list is not inclusive. Products on this list are not automatically approved, and the list above is subject to change.
- The allowable products list is based on the food safety risk level associated with certain types of food. People who operate a licensed and inspected food processing business have to meet more rigorous requirements for training, food safety and handling, which is why they may make and sell a broader range of food.
- No. Cooked vegetables, whether fresh or canned, usually are made from a combination of low acid and acidified food, and are considered a potentially hazardous food. Cooked vegetables must be kept either hot (above 135°F) or cold (below 41°F). They cannot be stored safely at room temperature.
- Yes. You may roast and sell whole bean coffee or ground coffee. However, beverages may not be sold, so you may not sell ready-made coffee.
- No. Fruit butters have significantly less sugar than a traditional jam or jelly. It is the combination of acid, sugar, pectin and heat that assures the safety of jams or jellies. In fruit butters, the combination of sugar and pectin is not sufficient to assure that the fruit butter is safe.
- No. Beverages, including apple cider, are not allowed to be produced and sold.
- No. Meat and poultry are a potentially hazardous food and may not be produced and sold as cottage food.
Labeling
- Yes, you are required to label your cottage food. The basic information that must be on the label is as follows:
- Name and address of the cottage food operation.
- Name of the cottage food product.
- The ingredients in the cottage food product in descending order of predominance by weight. If you use a prepared item in your recipe, you must list the sub ingredients as well.
- The net weight or net volume of the cottage food product (must also include the metric equivalent).
- Allergen labeling as specified in federal labeling requirements.
- The following statement must be printed in at least ten-point type in a clear and conspicuous manner: "Made in a Cottage Food Operation that is not Subject to Routine Government Food Safety Inspection."
- You must use the physical address of your home kitchen on your product label, not a post office box. Including an address on a product label enables authorities to locate a business in case of a recall or trace back associated with a foodborne illness complaint or outbreak.
Local Zoning & Location Requirements
- Yes. Cottage food operators should contact their municipal government to determine if there are local regulations that will impact their business. You must keep a written record of zoning approval, and be able to produce it if requested by DCP.
- No. Cottage food products must be made in the licensed kitchen in your home and stored in the permitted area of your home.
- No. A cottage food license is only for food produced in your home kitchen. If you rent time at a commercial kitchen, you will need a food establishment license to sell your products, even if the rented kitchen is a licensed facility.
Reproduced from the official Connecticut DCP Cottage Food Manual. Verify current rules with DCP at www.portal.ct.gov/cottagefood.
Connecticut Counties
8 counties tracked. Pick yours for the local zoning + health department links.
View all 8 counties →City zoning rules in Connecticut
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?
Connecticut cottage food law — FAQ
Do I need a license or permit to sell homemade food in Connecticut?
Yes — Yes. Food handler certification: Yes (specific course).
What foods can I sell under the Connecticut cottage food law?
Allowed foods include non-perishable baked goods, candies, jams and jellies (not fruit butters), dried goods, pasta, spices, and other non-potentially hazardous shelf-stable foods from the official approved foods list. Products must be sold directly to consumers at events, farmers markets, roadside stands, at-home sales, or online (local delivery only).
Is there a sales cap for cottage food in Connecticut?
50000
How good is Connecticut's cottage food law?
Connecticut is a Okay-tier cottage food state by Crosodo's rating criteria. Sales caps under $25,000 and/or limited sales channels. Operable for a side business but you'll likely outgrow the rules at scale.
Cottage food laws are amended every year. This is a starting reference, not legal advice. Verify with Connecticut Department of Consumer Protection and your local health department before relying on this data.