Cottage food law & license in Macomb County, MI
Michigan cottage food — common first products
County zoning cannot expand a state ban. Check the product, then the local rules on this page.
How to start in Macomb County
Permit, label, and local steps for selling under Michigan cottage food rules in Macomb County. Not legal advice.
Confirm your menu under state law
Michigan cottage food rules control what you may make at home (Non-potentially hazardous foods produced in a home kitchen, including baked goods (breads, cookies, cakes, cupcakes, pies, donuts, macarons), candies (chocolate, fudge, brittles, truffles), condiments (honey, nut butters, syrups, vinegars), dry goods (cereals, coffee, dried fruit/vegetables, herbs, pasta, spices, tea), pastries, preserves (jams, jellies, marmalades), and snacks (granola, popcorn, chocolate-covered items, fruit leathers, vegetable chips).). Macomb County cannot expand a food the state bans.
Map channels and local sales rules
State sales cap: $50,000. On-site / porch pickup in Macomb County: Yes. Prefer markets or off-site pickup if residential customer traffic is restricted.
Local permits, tax, and home occupation
Home occupation permit: Conditional. 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: No. Local inspection in Macomb County: No. Finish food handler training early — markets often ask for a copy.
Labels that match the state
Print labels with Michigan disclaimer and allergen rules before market day. Use the free Michigan 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: “Made in a home kitchen that has not been inspected by the Michigan department of agriculture and rural development.”
Planning checklist only. Confirm with state and local agencies before you sell.
Macomb County is a top-100 county by population in Michigan (pop. 878,453). Under Michigan's Great-tier cottage food law (sales cap: 50000), home bakers must still clear local zoning and health rules in this county. Registration path: No. Start with Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (state cottage food page linked below), then confirm Macomb County health and planning requirements. Local notes for Macomb County: home kitchen allowed; inspection not required; home occupation permit not required. Michigan state baseline applies to Macomb County. No Macomb County-specific cottage food ordinance found. The 2025 amendment (HB 4122) doubled the cap to $50,000 and added online/mail/third-party delivery platform sales — effective March 2026. Macomb County is suburban Detroit; most residents are in incorporated municipalities with their own zoning codes. No Macomb County Environmental Health Department-specific cottage food page found. Download the free PDF reports below for a portable summary, and always re-check official sources before you sell.
Macomb County cottage food reports
Zoning, permits, health department rules, and local sources for Macomb County.
Download county PDF
Full statute, all counties in Michigan, and official source links.
Download state PDFTier: Great
Michigan'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.
Michigan 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 Macomb County
State baseline: MCL §289.4102 (Michigan Cottage Food Law; 2025 amendment HB 4122, effective March 2026 raising cap to $50,000)
- Home kitchen allowed
- Yes
- Restrictions
- Must be produced in a home kitchen. No separate commercial kitchen. No registration required. Maximum $50,000 annual sales (as of 2025 amendment, effective March 2026; prior cap $25,000). Direct sales only — no consignment or wholesale.
- Separate dedicated kitchen
- No
- Pet restrictions
- Not specified in state statute; standard sanitation implied
- Water supply
- Potable water required; state baseline applies
- Handwashing
- No specific state requirement; standard sanitation implied
- Food storage
- Standard food storage; products must be non-potentially hazardous
- Inspection required
- No
- Inspection trigger
- No inspection authority for cottage food operations under MCL §289.4102. MDARD may investigate foodborne illness complaints.
- Home occupation permit
- Conditional
- Permit details
- Macomb County has home occupation regulations for unincorporated areas. Most of Macomb County is incorporated (Sterling Heights, Warren, Clinton Township, etc.) with separate municipal home occupation permit rules. Check relevant municipality's planning/zoning department. State cottage food law does not preempt local home occupation zoning.
- Local business license
- Varies
- On-site customer pickup
- Yes
- On-site signage
- Conditional
- Delivery / pickup
- Direct-to-consumer only: in person (home, farmers markets, events); online with home delivery, mail, or third-party delivery (2025 amendment added online/mail/third-party delivery platform sales with virtual interaction requirement). No wholesale, no consignment.
- Max employees in home
- unknown
- Relevant code section
- MCL §289.4102; municipal home occupation zoning varies
Michigan state baseline applies to Macomb County. No Macomb County-specific cottage food ordinance found. The 2025 amendment (HB 4122) doubled the cap to $50,000 and added online/mail/third-party delivery platform sales — effective March 2026. Macomb County is suburban Detroit; most residents are in incorporated municipalities with their own zoning codes. No Macomb County Environmental Health Department-specific cottage food page found.
Michigan Compiled Laws §289.4102 - Cottage Food Operation; Exemption from Licensing and Evaluation Provisions; Requirements (Michigan Food Law, Act 92 of 2000)
Full Michigan state report (with PDF download) →Verbatim excerpt289.4102 Cottage food operation; exemption from licensing and evaluation provisions; requirements. Sec. 4102. (1) A cottage food operation is exempt from the licensing and evaluation provisions of this act. This exemption does not include an exemption from the adulteration and other standards imposed in this section or under this act, or both, and does not limit the ability of the department to take appropriate enforcement action for applicable violations as described in section 5101. This subsection does not require a cottage food operation to meet the standards contained in 21 CFR part 110 or the food code. (2) Cottage food products must be prepackaged and properly labeled before sale. (3) A cottage food operation shall place on the label of any food it produces or packages the following information: (a) The name and address of the business, or name, telephone number, and registration number; (b) The name of the cottage food product; (c) Ingredients in descending order of predominance by weight; (d) Net weight or net volume; (e) Allergen labeling as specified by federal requirements; (g) The following statement printed in at least the equivalent of 11-point font size in a color that provides a clear contrast to the background: "Made in a home kitchen that has not been inspected by the Michigan department of agriculture and rural development." (4) Except as otherwise provided in this subsection, a cottage food product must be sold directly from the cottage food operation to the consumer. Sales by consignment or at wholesale are prohibited. A cottage food product may be sold by internet or mail order or may be delivered to a consumer through a third-party food delivery platform if the cottage food operation provides an opportunity for a consumer to directly interact with the cottage food operation before the cottage food product is sold. A cottage food product sold by internet or mail order or delivered through a third-party delivery platform must be sold or delivered only to a consumer in this state.
Source: legislature.mi.gov/Laws/MCL?objectName=MCL-289-4102 →
Macomb County cottage food — FAQ
Do I need a permit to sell cottage food in Macomb County, Michigan?
Home occupation permit: Conditional. Macomb County has home occupation regulations for unincorporated areas. Most of Macomb County is incorporated (Sterling Heights, Warren, Clinton Township, etc.) with separate municipal home occupation permit rules. Check relevant municipality's planning/zoning department. State cottage food law does not preempt local home occupation zoning. State cottage food registration may also apply — check the Michigan guide at https://crosodo.com/states/michigan.
Is a health inspection required for home bakers in Macomb County?
Inspection: No. Trigger: No inspection authority for cottage food operations under MCL §289.4102. MDARD may investigate foodborne illness complaints.. Non-TCS baked goods are often exempt from kitchen inspection under state cottage food law, but local rules can differ.
What foods can I sell under Michigan cottage food law in Macomb County?
Non-potentially hazardous foods produced in a home kitchen, including baked goods (breads, cookies, cakes, cupcakes, pies, donuts, macarons), candies (chocolate, fudge, brittles, truffles), condiments (honey, nut butters, syrups, vinegars), dry goods (cereals, coffee, dried fruit/vegetables, herbs, pasta, spices, tea), pastries, preserves (jams, jellies, marmalades), and snacks (granola, popcorn, chocolate-covered items, fruit leathers, vegetable chips). County zoning does not expand the state product list — if a food is banned by Michigan, it stays banned. Verify with the state agency before selling.
What is the sales cap for cottage food in Michigan?
Michigan state law lists cottage food sales at 50000. There is typically no separate county sales cap, but local permits or zoning can still limit operations.
Do I need a home occupation permit in Macomb County?
Home occupation permit: Conditional. Macomb County has home occupation regulations for unincorporated areas. Most of Macomb County is incorporated (Sterling Heights, Warren, Clinton Township, etc.) with separate municipal home occupation permit rules. Check relevant municipality's planning/zoning department. State cottage food law does not preempt local home occupation zoning.
Where to verify Macomb County rules
Macomb County vs. bordering counties
| Regulation | Macomb County This county | Oakland County | Wayne County |
|---|---|---|---|
| Home kitchen allowed | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Separate dedicated kitchen | No | No | No |
| Pets allowed | Not specified in state statute; standard sanitation implied | State baseline applies | State baseline applies |
| Inspection required | No | Upon-complaint | Upon-complaint |
| On-site customer pickup | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| On-site signage | Conditional | Conditional | Conditional |
| Delivery / pickup | Direct-to-consumer only: in person (home, farmers markets, events); online with home delivery, mail, or third-party delivery (2025 amendmen… | Direct sales required; wholesale/consignment prohibited. Internet/mail order and third-party delivery allowed if consumer can directly inte… | Direct sales required; wholesale/consignment prohibited. Internet/mail order and third-party delivery allowed if consumer can directly inte… |
| Home occupation permit | Conditional | Conditional | Varies by city |
| Local business license | Varies | Varies by city | Varies by city |
| Restrictions | Must be produced in a home kitchen. No separate commercial kitchen. No registration required. Maximum $50,000 annual sales (as of 2025 amen… | Michigan Cottage Food Law exempts cottage food operations from MDARD licensing and inspection. No separate Oakland County permit required. … | Michigan's Cottage Food Law exempts cottage food operations from MDARD licensing and inspection. No separate Wayne County permit is require… |
| Food storage | Standard food storage; products must be non-potentially hazardous | Products must be stored only in the primary domestic residence. | Products must be stored only in the primary domestic residence. |
| Population | 878,453 | 1,272,264 | 1,781,641 |
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