Georgia 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 Georgia
A practical path from “am I allowed?” to first sale. Not legal advice — confirm every step with Georgia agencies and your local offices.
Confirm your products are allowed
Georgia allows Since July 2025 (HB 398), Georgia allows almost any non-potentially hazardous food, including baked goods, candies, condiments (mustards, nut butters, oils, pickles, syrups, vinegars), dry goods, pastries, preserves, snacks, and carbonated drinks. Georgia also allows interstate sales of cottage food products, which is rare among states.. 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: No. Food handler / training: Yes (specific course). Kitchen inspection: Upon-complaint. Complete certificates the market or agency will ask for.
Build compliant labels
Use the Georgia 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: “This product was produced at a residential property that is exempt from state inspection. This product may contain allergens.”
This is a planning checklist compiled for home bakers. It is not legal, tax, or zoning advice.
Georgia vs neighboring cottage food laws
Tier and sales-cap snapshot for Georgia and nearby states. Click through for full rules, labeling, and county pages.
| State | Tier | Sales cap | Guide |
|---|---|---|---|
| GeorgiaYou are here | Okay | None | This page |
| Alabama | Good | None | Alabama law → |
| Florida | Great | 250000 | Florida law → |
| North Carolina | Good | None | North Carolina law → |
| South Carolina | Good | None | South Carolina law → |
| Tennessee | Good | None | Tennessee law → |
Need a compliant product label for Georgia? Open the Georgia label mockup.
None
Since July 2025 (HB 398), Georgia allows almost any non-potentially hazardous food, including baked goods, candies, condiments (mustards, nut butters, oils, pickles, syrups, vinegars), dry goods, pastries, preserves, snacks, and carbonated drinks. Georgia also allows interstate sales of cottage food products, which is rare among states.
Registration: No. Food handler cert: Yes (specific course).
Georgia Code O.C.G.A. §§26-2-470 through 26-2-478 (enacted by HB 398, 2025); formerly Georgia Rules and Regulations Chapter 40-7-19 (Cottage Food Regulations)
Verbatim excerptRule 40-7-19-.01 Purpose: The purpose of this Chapter is to allow individuals using home kitchens to prepare, manufacture, and sell non-potentially hazardous foods to the public. Rule 40-7-19-.02 Definitions: (3) 'Cottage food operator' means a person who produces cottage food products only in the home kitchen of that person's primary domestic residence and only for sale directly to the consumer. (4) 'Cottage food products' means non-potentially hazardous baked goods, jams, jellies, preserves, and other non-potentially hazardous foods produced in the home kitchen of a domestic residence. (11) 'Home kitchen' means a kitchen primarily intended for use by the residents of a home. It may contain one or more stoves or ovens, which may be a double oven, designed for residential use. It must not include commercial types of equipment. Rule 40-7-19-.05 Cottage Food Limitations: (1) May only produce non-potentially hazardous foods. Examples include: (a) Loaf breads, rolls, and biscuits; (b) Cakes (except those that require refrigeration due to cream cheese icing, fillings, or high moisture content such as tres leche); (c) Pastries and cookies; (d) Candies and confections; (e) Fruit pies; (f) Jams, jellies, and preserves; (g) Dried fruits; (h) Dry herbs, seasonings and mixtures; (i) Cereals, trail mixes, and granola; (j) Coated or uncoated nuts; (k) Vinegar and flavored vinegars; (l) Popcorn, popcorn balls, and cotton candy.
Source: rules.sos.ga.gov/gac/40-7-19 →
Georgia Cottage Food Law — Full PDF report
A comprehensive report covering the Georgia statute, every county we've researched, and authoritative source URLs.
Download PDFWhere to verify Georgia's rules
Cottage Food Update: House Bill 398 & Frequently Asked Questions
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.
- Georgia Department of Agriculture (GDA)https://agr.georgia.gov/sites/default/files/documents/assets/Cottage-Food-Update-HB398-Frequently-Asked-Questions.pdf
House Bill 398 updates the production and sale requirements for cottage food items in Georgia. Governor Brian Kemp signed HB 398 on May 13, 2025. HB 398 officially takes effect on July 1, 2025.
House Bill 398 FAQ
- HB 398 is a new law that updates the production and sale requirements for cottage food items in Georgia. Governor Brian Kemp signed HB 398 on May 13, 2025. HB 398 officially takes effect on July 1, 2025.
- HB 398 keeps much of the current cottage food system, with positive modifications. Under HB 398, Georgians may still produce non-potentially hazardous food items at home.
- Producers may then sell those cottage food items to consumers directly or to retail food sales establishments like grocery stores, convenience stores, or restaurants.
- Consumers are informed by product labels, signage and separation at the point of sale, or verbally, that the cottage food product was produced at a residential property and about the producer.
- Removed Licensing Requirement. Cottage food operators no longer need to obtain a license with the Georgia Department of Agriculture (GDA) or pay a licensing fee to the state.
- Expanded Sales. Prior to HB 398, cottage food operators could only sell products directly to consumers. Now, cottage food operators may also sell their products to retail food sales establishments like grocery stores, restaurants, and convenience stores.
- Fewer Inspections. With no licensing requirement, GDA will no longer conduct pre-licensing inspections at a cottage food operator's residence. GDA will still investigate consumer complaints, reports of foodborne illness, and public health emergencies.
- New Identification Number. Cottage food operators uncomfortable with providing their address on labels may request an "Identification Number" to use instead. You can obtain this number from GDA by using the form provided on the GDA cottage food webpage.
- Opt Out. Under HB 398, each city or county in Georgia may choose to pass an ordinance prohibiting cottage food operators from selling cottage food items through third-party vendors (e.g. grocery stores, restaurants, or convenience stores) within its jurisdiction.
- Restrictions on Local Government. HB 398 prohibits cities or counties from directly regulating cottage food except through the "opt out". HB 398 also prevents cities or counties from prohibiting commercial delivery companies from delivering cottage food items.
- Other Local Requirements Still Apply. HB 398 does not affect general local requirements like business licensing or zoning. Consult with your local authorities, as needed.
- Now that HB 398 is effective, GDA will propose new regulations to implement the law. Prior regulations (https://rules.sos.state.ga.us/gac/40-7-19) will be amended, including by repealing portions inconsistent with HB 398 like licensing requirements and more restrictive sales.
- GDA will use its enforcement discretion in the meantime when an old requirement is no longer supported by HB 398, like the licensing requirement.
- Keep an eye on GDA's Legal Notices webpage for proposed rules: https://agr.georgia.gov/news/legal-notices.
- Cottage food webpage: https://agr.georgia.gov/cottagefood
- Email: cottagefoodinfo@agr.georgia.gov
- Telephone: (404) 656-3627
Reproduced from the official GDA Cottage Food Update FAQ (HB 398). Verify current rules with GDA and your local city or county.
Georgia Counties
159 counties tracked. Pick yours for the local zoning + health department links.
View all 159 counties →City zoning rules in Georgia
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?
Georgia cottage food law — FAQ
Do I need a license or permit to sell homemade food in Georgia?
Yes — No. Food handler certification: Yes (specific course).
What foods can I sell under the Georgia cottage food law?
Since July 2025 (HB 398), Georgia allows almost any non-potentially hazardous food, including baked goods, candies, condiments (mustards, nut butters, oils, pickles, syrups, vinegars), dry goods, pastries, preserves, snacks, and carbonated drinks. Georgia also allows interstate sales of cottage food products, which is rare among states.
Is there a sales cap for cottage food in Georgia?
None
How good is Georgia's cottage food law?
Georgia 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 Georgia
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What bakers ask about Georgia
Seed threads for markets, zoning, and labels — join the channel or ask the directory.
Farmers market process in Georgia?
Which markets welcome cottage bakers, what they charge, and label checks on day one.
Good label printers in Georgia?
Local print shops or home setups that handle home-kitchen disclaimers cleanly.
Zoning experience in Georgia counties?
Home occupation, pickup traffic, signage — what did your planning office actually require?
How I got legal in Georgia
Registration portal tips, food handler cert, and the county step nobody publishes.
Georgia 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 Georgia. 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 Georgia Department of Agriculture and your local health department before relying on this data.