District of Columbia cottage food law
Last updated: · Research verified · Free PDF report
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.
How to start in District of Columbia
A practical path from “am I allowed?” to first sale. Not legal advice — confirm every step with District of Columbia agencies and your local offices.
Confirm your products are allowed
District of Columbia allows DC allows most non-potentially hazardous foods including baked goods, candies, condiments (honey, syrups, vinegars), dry goods, pastries, preserves, and snacks. The approved food list is specified in 25-K DCMR 103.5. Products not on the approved list may be submitted for department review with lab testing.. 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: Yes. Complete certificates the market or agency will ask for.
Build compliant labels
Use the District of Columbia 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: “Made by a cottage food business that is not subject to the District of Columbia's food safety regulations”
This is a planning checklist compiled for home bakers. It is not legal, tax, or zoning advice.
District of Columbia vs neighboring cottage food laws
Tier and sales-cap snapshot for District of Columbia and nearby states. Click through for full rules, labeling, and county pages.
| State | Tier | Sales cap | Guide |
|---|---|---|---|
| District of ColumbiaYou are here | Okay | None | This page |
| Maryland | Good | 50000 | Maryland law → |
| Virginia | Good | Tiered | Virginia law → |
Need a compliant product label for District of Columbia? Open the District of Columbia label mockup.
None
DC allows most non-potentially hazardous foods including baked goods, candies, condiments (honey, syrups, vinegars), dry goods, pastries, preserves, and snacks. The approved food list is specified in 25-K DCMR 103.5. Products not on the approved list may be submitted for department review with lab testing.
Registration: Yes. Food handler cert: Yes (specific course).
Code of the District of Columbia §7-742.02 (Cottage food businesses); implementing Cottage Food Amendment Act of 2013 (D.C. Law 20-63)
Verbatim excerpt(b)(1) A cottage food business shall register with the Cottage Food Business Registry within the Department before beginning operation. (2) The Department may perform an inspection of the cottage food business before that business may sell its cottage food products. (3) The Department shall issue a cottage food business identification number and certificate to each registered cottage food business. Upon receipt of a cottage food business identification number and certificate, the cottage food business shall be authorized to produce, package, and sell the temperature control for safety food products on the approved food products list issued by the Department, set forth in section 103.5 of Title 25-K of the District of Columbia Municipal Regulations (25-K DCMR 103.5). The cottage food business shall not produce, package, or sell any food products that are not allowed by the Department nor use any processes and activities that are not allowed by the Department. (c) The owner of a cottage food business may sell only cottage food products that are: (1) Stored on the premises of the cottage food business; and (2) Prepackaged with a label that contains the following information: (A) The cottage food business identification number; (B) The name of the cottage food product; (C) The ingredients of the cottage food product in descending order of the amount of each ingredient by weight; (D) The net weight or net volume of the cottage food product; (E) Allergen information as specified by federal labeling requirements; (G) The following statement printed in 10-point or larger type in a color that provides a clear contrast to the background of the label: 'Made by a cottage food business that is not subject to the District of Columbia's food safety regulations.'
Source: code.dccouncil.gov/us/dc/council/code/sections/7-742.02.html →
District of Columbia Cottage Food Law — Full PDF report
A comprehensive report covering the District of Columbia statute, every county we've researched, and authoritative source URLs.
Download PDFWhere to verify District of Columbia's rules
District of Columbia 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.
- DC Department of Healthhttps://dchealth.dc.gov/service/cottage-food-businesses
District of Columbia's cottage food rules are set by D.C. Code §7-742.02. 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
- Code of the District of Columbia §7-742.02 (Cottage food businesses); implementing Cottage Food Amendment Act of 2013 (D.C. Law 20-63)
- None
- Yes
- Yes (specific course)
- Yes
Allowed products and sales channels
- DC allows most non-potentially hazardous foods including baked goods, candies, condiments (honey, syrups, vinegars), dry goods, pastries, preserves, and snacks. The approved food list is specified in 25-K DCMR 103.5. Products not on the approved list may be submitted for department review with lab testing.
- Prohibited items include perishable baked goods, acidified foods, low-acid canned foods, pickles, fruit butters, salsas, sauces, ketchup, mustards, juices, meat jerkies, and pet food. All TCS (time/temperature control for safety) foods are prohibited.
- As of 2020 amendments, DC allows direct, online, retail (excluding restaurants and grocery stores), and wholesale sales to food establishments (expanded further in 2025 by B26-0025); sales must remain within the District.
Labeling
- Labels must include the cottage food business identification number, product name, ingredients in descending order by weight, net weight/volume, allergen information per federal requirements, and the statement 'Made by a cottage food business that is not subject to the District of Columbia's food safety regulations' in at least 10-point contrasting type.
Statute excerpt
- (b)(1) A cottage food business shall register with the Cottage Food Business Registry within the Department before beginning operation. (2) The Department may perform an inspection of the cottage food business before that business may sell its cottage food products. (3) The Department shall issue a cottage food business identification number and certificate to each registered cottage food business.
- Upon receipt of a cottage food business identification number and certificate, the cottage food business shall be authorized to produce, package, and sell the temperature control for safety food products on the approved food products list issued by the Department, set forth in section 103.5 of Title 25-K of the District of Columbia Municipal Regulations (25-K DCMR 103.5).
- The cottage food business shall not produce, package, or sell any food products that are not allowed by the Department nor use any processes and activities that are not allowed by the Department.
- (c) The owner of a cottage food business may sell only cottage food products that are: (1) Stored on the premises of the cottage food business; and (2) Prepackaged with a label that contains the following information: (A) The cottage food business identification number; (B) The name of the cottage food product; (C) The ingredients of the cottage food product in descending order of the amount of each ingredient by weight; (D) The net weight or net volume of the cottage food product; (E) Allergen information as specified by federal labeling requirements; (G) The following statement printed in 10-point or larger type in a color that provides a clear contrast to the background of the label: 'Made by a cottage food business that is not subject to the District of Columbia's food safety regulations.'
Official sources
- State agency cottage food page: https://dchealth.dc.gov/service/cottage-food-businesses
- Statute: https://code.dccouncil.us/dc/council/code/sections/48-110.01.html
Summarized from official District of Columbia cottage food statute research and agency guidance. Agency rules change — verify on the official site before relying on this information.
District of Columbia Counties
1 county tracked. Pick yours for the local zoning + health department links.
View all 1 counties →City zoning rules in District of Columbia
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?
District of Columbia cottage food law — FAQ
Do I need a license or permit to sell homemade food in District of Columbia?
Yes — Yes. Food handler certification: Yes (specific course).
What foods can I sell under the District of Columbia cottage food law?
DC allows most non-potentially hazardous foods including baked goods, candies, condiments (honey, syrups, vinegars), dry goods, pastries, preserves, and snacks. The approved food list is specified in 25-K DCMR 103.5. Products not on the approved list may be submitted for department review with lab testing.
Is there a sales cap for cottage food in District of Columbia?
None
How good is District of Columbia's cottage food law?
District of Columbia 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.
Keep exploring District of Columbia
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Farmers market process in District of Columbia?
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Good label printers in District of Columbia?
Local print shops or home setups that handle home-kitchen disclaimers cleanly.
Zoning experience in District of Columbia counties?
Home occupation, pickup traffic, signage — what did your planning office actually require?
How I got legal in District of Columbia
Registration portal tips, food handler cert, and the county step nobody publishes.
District of Columbia label wording that passed review
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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 District of Columbia. Supply stores, farmers markets, kitchen rentals, co-packer referrals, and bakery services are welcome.
Learn about placementsYour business here
Local cottage food listings, community kitchens, farmers market dates, and non-profit events can be submitted for review.
Submit a community listingAds are paid placements. Crosodo does not endorse listed vendors. Verify all product, service, course, insurance, and legal information independently.
Cottage food laws are amended every year. This is a starting reference, not legal advice. Verify with DC Department of Health and your local health department before relying on this data.