Cottage food laws in Bartholomew County, IN
Bartholomew County, Indiana — zoning, permits, health department links, and free PDF reports for home bakers (2026).
Bartholomew County is a county in Indiana (pop. 82,371). Under Indiana's Great-tier cottage food law (sales cap: None), home bakers must still clear local zoning and health rules in this county. Registration path: No. Start with Indiana State Department of Health (state cottage food page linked below), then confirm Bartholomew County health and planning requirements. Local notes for Bartholomew County: home kitchen allowed; inspection not required; home occupation permit not required. Bartholomew County (Columbus, IN) follows Indiana home-based vendor law. No county-specific overrides identified. Download the free PDF reports below for a portable summary, and always re-check official sources before you sell.
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Bartholomew County cottage food reports
Zoning, permits, health department rules, and local sources for Bartholomew County.
County PDFTier: Great
Indiana'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.
View state 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 Bartholomew County
State baseline: Ind. Code §16-42-5.2
- Home kitchen allowed
- Yes
- Restrictions
- Same as all Indiana counties: no license required; food handler certificate (ANSI-accredited) provided to local health department; non-PHF foods only; no acidified foods; direct sales within Indiana only.
- Separate dedicated kitchen
- No
- Pet restrictions
- Not specified in Indiana cottage food law.
- Water supply
- No specific statutory requirement.
- Handwashing
- No specific statutory requirement.
- Food storage
- No specific statutory requirement.
- Inspection required
- Upon-complaint
- Inspection trigger
- No routine inspection. Indiana law preempts local licensing/inspection requirements. Local health dept may investigate upon complaint.
- Home occupation permit
- Varies
- Permit details
- Bartholomew County and the City of Columbus may have home occupation ordinances. Indiana law preempts local licensing/inspection for home-based vendors but local zoning may still apply. Check with Bartholomew County Planning or City of Columbus.
- Local business license
- Varies
- On-site customer pickup
- Yes
- On-site signage
- Conditional
- Delivery / pickup
- Direct sales from home, online within Indiana, at events and farmers markets permitted.
- Max employees in home
- Not specified in Indiana cottage food law.
- Relevant code section
- No Bartholomew County-specific cottage food code identified. Ind. Code §16-42-5.2 governs.
Bartholomew County (Columbus, IN) follows Indiana home-based vendor law. No county-specific overrides identified.
Indiana Code Title 16, Article 42, Chapter 5.3 — Home Based Food Products (enacted as HEA 1149, 2022; prior law under Chapter 5.2)
Full Indiana state report (with PDF download) →Verbatim excerptSECTION 4. IC 16-42-5.3 IS ADDED TO THE INDIANA CODE AS A NEW CHAPTER Chapter 5.3. Home Based Food Products Sec. 1. (a) As used in this chapter, "end consumer" [means a] person who is the last person to purchase any food product and who does not resell the food product. Sec. 2. A person may prepare and sell food products as a home based vendor if the person complies with the requirements of this chapter. Sec. 3. The production and sale of food products by a home based vendor in accordance with this chapter are exempt from the requirements of this title that apply to food establishments. Sec. 4. A home based vendor shall prepare and sell only a food product that is [a non-potentially hazardous food]. Sec. 5. (a) A home based vendor shall include a label for packaged food or a sign for unpackaged food that contains the following information: [business name, address, product name, date produced, ingredients, net weight, and statement that product is home produced and not inspected by state department of health]. Sec. 6. (a) A home based vendor may not ship or deliver a food product to an end consumer who is located outside Indiana. Sec. 7. (a) A home based vendor shall obtain a food handler certificate from a certificate issuer that is accredited by the [American National Standards Institute]. Sec. 8. (a) A home based vendor is subject to food sampling and inspection if [there is a complaint or reason to believe a violation exists].
Source: in.gov/localhealth/unioncounty/files/2022-10-05-House-Enrolled-Act-1149-Home-Based-Vendors.pdf →
Bartholomew County cottage food — FAQ
Is a home kitchen allowed for cottage food in Bartholomew County, Indiana?
According to our research: home kitchen is allowed. Restrictions: Same as all Indiana counties: no license required; food handler certificate (ANSI-accredited) provided to local health department; non-PHF foods only; no acidified foods; direct sales within Indiana only.
Is a health inspection required for home bakers in Bartholomew County?
Inspection: Upon-complaint. Trigger: No routine inspection. Indiana law preempts local licensing/inspection requirements. Local health dept may investigate upon complaint..
Do I need a home occupation permit in Bartholomew County?
Home occupation permit: Varies. Bartholomew County and the City of Columbus may have home occupation ordinances. Indiana law preempts local licensing/inspection for home-based vendors but local zoning may still apply. Check with Bartholomew County Planning or City of Columbus.
What is the Indiana cottage food sales cap?
Indiana state law caps cottage food sales at None. County rules may add permits or zoning limits on top.
Where to verify Bartholomew County rules
Bartholomew County vs. bordering counties
| Regulation | Bartholomew County This county | Johnson County | Brown County |
|---|---|---|---|
| Home kitchen allowed | Yes | Yes | — |
| Separate dedicated kitchen | No | No | — |
| Pets allowed | Not specified in Indiana cottage food law. | No specific state restriction on pets; good manufacturing practices apply. | — |
| Inspection required | Upon-complaint | Upon-complaint | — |
| On-site customer pickup | Yes | Yes | — |
| On-site signage | Conditional | Conditional | — |
| Delivery / pickup | Direct sales from home, online within Indiana, at events and farmers markets permitted. | Sales from home, online, at farmers markets, roadside stands, events, and other direct-to-consumer venues. No wholesale or interstate sales. | — |
| Home occupation permit | Varies | Varies | — |
| Local business license | Varies | Varies | — |
| Restrictions | Same as all Indiana counties: no license required; food handler certificate (ANSI-accredited) provided to local health department; non-PHF … | Indiana HEA 1149 (2022) allows home-based vendors to sell most nonperishable foods from home, online, at events, and other venues. Food han… | — |
| Food storage | No specific statutory requirement. | Non-PHF foods only; proper storage to prevent contamination. | — |
| Population | 82,371 | 161,952 | 15,513 |
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