District of Columbia 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.
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.
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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.
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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.
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.