Cottage food laws in Union County, IL
How to start in Union County
Permit, label, and local steps for selling under Illinois cottage food rules in Union County. Not legal advice.
Confirm your menu under state law
Illinois cottage food rules control what you may make at home (Illinois uses a 'prohibited list' approach — everything not prohibited is allowed, including baked goods, candies, condiments (honey, ketchup, mustards, nut butters, oils, pickles, salsas, sauces, syrups, vinegars), dry goods, pastries, preserves (including acidified foods and fermented foods with extra requirements), snacks, carbonated drinks, extracts, frozen produce, hardboiled eggs, and juices. Many perishable foods are allowed for direct in-state sales but may not be shipped.). Union County cannot expand a food the state bans.
Map channels and local sales rules
State sales cap: No cap. On-site / porch pickup in Union County: —. Prefer markets or off-site pickup if residential customer traffic is restricted.
Local permits, tax, and home occupation
Home occupation permit: —. Many places still need a general business license or tax certificate even when the state has no cottage food “permit.” Check planning, the clerk, and any HOA or lease before advertising your address.
Training, registration, inspection
State registration: Yes. Local inspection in Union County: —. Finish food handler training early — markets often ask for a copy.
Labels that match the state
Print labels with Illinois disclaimer and allergen rules before market day. Use the free Illinois label page for the one-pager checklist and mockup.
Insurance and first sales
Farmers markets often require a certificate of insurance. Soft-launch with pre-orders, keep a sales log, and re-verify rules if you change products or venues.
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 in a home kitchen not inspected by a health department that may also process common food allergens.”
Planning checklist only. Confirm with state and local agencies before you sell.
Union County is a county in Illinois (pop. 17,122). Under Illinois's Great-tier cottage food law (sales cap: None), home bakers must still clear local zoning and health rules in this county. Registration path: Yes. Start with Illinois Department of Public Health (state cottage food page linked below), then confirm Union County health and planning requirements. No county-specific cottage food ordinance found that overrides state law. Illinois 410 ILCS 625/4 preempts local rules inconsistent with state law (2022 PA 102-0633 and 2025 PA 103-0903 amendments). Local zoning may regulate signage, customer traffic, and parking at home sales locations but cannot prohibit or restrict allowed foods/venues inconsistently with state law. Registration required with local county health department (up to $50/year); CFPM-level food safety certificate required. No sales cap. Defaulting to state baseline. Download the free PDF reports below for a portable summary, and always re-check official sources before you sell.
Union County cottage food reports
Zoning, permits, health department rules, and local sources for Union County.
Download county PDF
Full statute, all counties in Illinois, and official source links.
Download state PDFTier: Great
Illinois's cottage food law is permissive (Great tier) — high or no sales cap, broad product list, and multiple sales channels allowed. The state baseline is workable for full-time operations; the county still controls zoning and inspection.
Illinois cottage food law →Health department
Many states delegate cottage food registration and inspection to the county health department. Contact theirs for the local process.
Home occupation rules
The county or city zoning code governs whether you can run a home-based food business — customer visits, signage, employees, floor area.
Home kitchen, inspection, and zoning rules for Union County
No county-specific cottage food ordinance found that overrides state law. Illinois 410 ILCS 625/4 preempts local rules inconsistent with state law (2022 PA 102-0633 and 2025 PA 103-0903 amendments). Local zoning may regulate signage, customer traffic, and parking at home sales locations but cannot prohibit or restrict allowed foods/venues inconsistently with state law. Registration required with local county health department (up to $50/year); CFPM-level food safety certificate required. No sales cap. Defaulting to state baseline.
Illinois Compiled Statutes 410 ILCS 625/4, Food Handling Regulation Enforcement Act, Section 4 (Cottage food operation); as amended by Public Act 102-0633 (SB 2007, eff. January 2022) and Public Act 103-0903 (SB 2617, eff. January 2025)
Full Illinois state report (with PDF download) →Verbatim excerpt(410 ILCS 625/4) Sec. 4. Cottage food operation. (a) For the purpose of this Section: 'Cottage food operation' means an operation conducted by a person who produces or packages food or drink, other than foods and drinks listed as prohibited in paragraph (1.5) of subsection (b) of this Section, in a kitchen located in that person's primary domestic residence or another appropriately designed and equipped kitchen on a farm residential or commercial-style kitchen on that property for direct sale by the owner, a family member, or employee. (b) A cottage food operation may produce homemade food and drink provided that all of the following conditions are met: (1.3) A cottage food operation must register with the local health department for the unit of local government in which it is located, but may sell products outside of the unit of local government where the cottage food operation is located. (1.5) A cottage food operation shall not sell or offer to sell the following food items: (A) meat, poultry, fish, seafood, or shellfish; (B) dairy, except as an ingredient in a non-potentially hazardous baked good or candy; (C) eggs, except as an ingredient in a non-potentially hazardous food; (D) pumpkin pies, sweet potato pies, cheesecakes, custard pies, creme pies, and pastries with potentially hazardous fillings or toppings; (E) garlic in oil or oil infused with garlic, except if acidified; (F) low-acid canned foods; (G) sprouts; (H) cut leafy greens, except dehydrated, acidified, or blanched and frozen; (M) alcoholic beverages; or (N) kombucha.
Source: ilga.gov/Documents/Legislation/PublicActs/102/PDF/102-0633.pdf →
Union County cottage food — FAQ
Do I need a permit to sell cottage food in Union County, Illinois?
Cottage food is primarily regulated by Illinois state law. Many counties still add zoning or home-occupation rules on top. Review the free Illinois guide and Union County notes at https://crosodo.com/states/illinois/union-county, then confirm with local planning and health departments before selling.
What foods can I sell under Illinois cottage food law in Union County?
Illinois uses a 'prohibited list' approach — everything not prohibited is allowed, including baked goods, candies, condiments (honey, ketchup, mustards, nut butters, oils, pickles, salsas, sauces, syrups, vinegars), dry goods, pastries, preserves (including acidified foods and fermented foods with extra requirements), snacks, carbonated drinks, extracts, frozen produce, hardboiled eggs, and juices. Many perishable foods are allowed for direct in-state sales but may not be shipped. County zoning does not expand the state product list — if a food is banned by Illinois, it stays banned. Verify with the state agency before selling.
What is the sales cap for cottage food in Illinois?
Illinois state law lists cottage food sales at None. There is typically no separate county sales cap, but local permits or zoning can still limit operations.
Where to verify Union County rules
Union County vs. bordering counties
| Regulation | Union County This county | Alexander County | Johnson County |
|---|---|---|---|
| Home kitchen allowed | — | Yes | Yes |
| Separate dedicated kitchen | — | No | No |
| Pets allowed | — | No specific state statute on pets; good manufacturing practices apply. | No specific state prohibition; good manufacturing practice applies |
| Inspection required | — | Upon-complaint | Upon-complaint |
| On-site customer pickup | — | Conditional | Yes |
| On-site signage | — | Conditional | Conditional |
| Delivery / pickup | — | Illinois cottage food allows direct sales; home pickup is permitted. Online sales with local delivery permitted for non-perishables. No out… | Direct sales to consumers only (in person, at farmers markets, online orders). In-state shipping of non-perishable items permitted within I… |
| Home occupation permit | — | Conditional | Varies |
| Local business license | — | Varies | Varies |
| Restrictions | — | Must operate from primary residence. Registration required with local health department (up to $50/year). Food Safety Manager certification… | Must register with local health department (Johnson County Health Department or adjacent county health dept if none) for up to $50/year. Ce… |
| Food storage | — | Products stored at primary residence; safe food handling practices required per CFPM training. | Proper storage of shelf-stable and non-TCS foods; acidified foods require pH documentation and food safety plan; fermented foods have addit… |
| Population | 17,122 | 5,765 | 13,313 |
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