Cottage food law & license in Henrico County, VA
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Henrico County Permits 101 for Henrico County, Virginia (74 pages). After you pay, you get lifetime access to premium dashboard features. Unlock the permit planning workspace on your dashboard.
Virginia cottage food — common first products
County zoning cannot expand a state ban. Check the product, then the local rules on this page.
What's in the Henrico County permit report
How to start in Henrico County
Permit, label, and local steps for selling under Virginia cottage food rules in Henrico County. Not legal advice.
Cottage exemption and HFPO
Crosodo year one follows the home cottage exemption in Va. Code § 3.2-5130. That exemption is not a certification. VDACS does not issue a cottage certificate. A Home Food Processing Operation (HFPO) is a different path: inspection, permit, and a $40 annual fee on the official application. Local zoning, HBB, MHO, BPOL, and market insurance are separate papers. A market can require insurance without a state cottage certificate. Fairfax County porch pickup and HBB, and Fairfax City MHO, are local rules. They are not HFPO. The current Code allows internet and phone sales and in-state delivery or mail. The July 2024 kitchen FAQ still says no online checkout; that FAQ predates HB 402 / 2026 c. 605. Not legal advice. Confirm with VDACS and the market.
Confirm your menu under state law
Virginia cottage food rules control what you may make at home (Non-TCS shelf-stable foods from private homes including candies, jams, jellies (not low-acid/acidified), dried fruits, dry herbs, dry seasonings, dry mixtures, nuts, vinegars, popcorn, cotton candy, dried pasta, dry baking mixes, roasted coffee, dried tea, cereals, trail mixes, granola, and baked goods that do not require temperature control. Pickles and acidified vegetables with equilibrium pH 4.6 or lower are allowed with a $9,000 annual gross sales cap. Honey from own hives under 250 gallons per year is also allowed under a separate provision.). Henrico County cannot expand a food the state bans.
Map channels and local sales rules
State sales cap: Tiered. On-site / porch pickup in Henrico 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 Henrico County: No. Finish food handler training early — markets often ask for a copy.
Labels that match the state
Print labels with Virginia disclaimer and allergen rules before market day. Use the free Virginia 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: “NOT FOR RESALE — PROCESSED AND PREPARED WITHOUT STATE INSPECTION”
Planning checklist only. Confirm with state and local agencies before you sell.
Henrico County is a county in Virginia (pop. 333,120). Under Virginia's Good-tier cottage food law (sales cap: Tiered), home bakers must still clear local zoning and health rules in this county. Registration path: No. Start with Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (state cottage food page linked below), then confirm Henrico County health and planning requirements. Local notes for Henrico County: home kitchen allowed; inspection not required; home occupation permit not required. Henrico County explicitly prohibits catering from residences per zoning (confirmed on county website). Cottage food exemption under §3.2-5130 is a simpler pathway that does not require VDACS permit, but zoning implications for home-based food sales should be confirmed with county planning. Direct sales-only state restriction noted. Download the free reports below for a portable summary, and always re-check official sources before you sell.
Henrico County cottage food reports
Home cottage-food permit stack — zoning, health, license, and what the state does not require.
Zoning, permits, health department rules, and local sources for Henrico County.
Download county report
Full Virginia License & Permit Guide (432 pages). Statute, all counties, and official source links.
Tier: Good
Virginia has a Good-tier cottage food law — solid baseline with moderate restrictions, typically a high sales cap (often $50K+) and standard direct-to-consumer rules. Workable for most home bakers with reasonable scale plans.
Virginia 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 Henrico County
State baseline: Va. Code §3.2-5130; no registration required; tiered sales cap; direct sales only; no inspection required
- Home kitchen allowed
- Yes
- Restrictions
- Non-TCS shelf-stable foods only; direct-to-consumer sales only; tiered annual sales cap; zoning approval documentation required if seeking VDACS home food processing permit
- Separate dedicated kitchen
- No
- Pet restrictions
- Good sanitation required; no specific state pet rule for cottage food exemption
- Water supply
- Potable water required
- Handwashing
- Standard handwashing practices
- Food storage
- Non-TCS foods stored in sanitary conditions
- Inspection required
- No
- Inspection trigger
- No routine inspection under §3.2-5130 exemption
- Home occupation permit
- Conditional
- Permit details
- VDACS permit application requires zoning approval documentation. Henrico County note: catering operations from a residence are prohibited per zoning restrictions (per henrico.gov). Cottage food direct sales under §3.2-5130 exemption may be treated differently than catering. Operator should confirm with Henrico County zoning/planning department
- Local business license
- Varies
- On-site customer pickup
- Yes
- On-site signage
- Conditional
- Delivery / pickup
- Direct to consumer only; farmers markets, events, and roadside stands; no retail/wholesale sales
- Max employees in home
- Not specified
- Relevant code section
- Not identified; henrico.gov/services/foodservice-permit-application notes catering from residence prohibited by zoning
Henrico County explicitly prohibits catering from residences per zoning (confirmed on county website). Cottage food exemption under §3.2-5130 is a simpler pathway that does not require VDACS permit, but zoning implications for home-based food sales should be confirmed with county planning. Direct sales-only state restriction noted.
Code of Virginia, Title 3.2 Agriculture, Animal Care, and Food, Chapter 51 Food and Drink, §3.2-5130 Inspections required to operate food establishment
Full Virginia License & Permit Guide →Verbatim excerptC. The provisions of subsections A and B shall not apply to: 3. Private homes where the resident processes and prepares candies, jams, and jellies not considered to be low-acid or acidified low-acid food products, dried fruits, dry herbs, dry seasonings, dry mixtures, coated and uncoated nuts, vinegars and flavored vinegars, popcorn, popcorn balls, cotton candy, dried pasta, dry baking mixes, roasted coffee, dried tea, cereals, trail mixes, granola, and baked goods if such products are (i) those that do not require time or temperature control after preparation; (ii) sold at any location, through the internet, or by phone to an individual in the Commonwealth for his own consumption and not for resale or consignment; (iii) delivered in person, by mail, or by delivery service to an individual in the Commonwealth for his own consumption and not for resale or consignment; (iv) not offered for sale to be used in or offered for consumption in retail food establishments; and (v) affixed with a label placed on the principal display panel or, for a product in packaging not large enough to bear such a label, offered for sale with a sign displaying the name, physical address or post office box number, and telephone number of the person preparing the food product, the date the food product was processed, and the statement "NOT FOR RESALE PROCESSED AND PREPARED WITHOUT STATE INSPECTION." Nothing in this subdivision shall prohibit a resident selling a food product in accordance with this subdivision from advertising such food product on the Internet. Amended 2026, c. 605 (HB 402), effective July 1, 2026.
Source: law.lis.virginia.gov/vacode/title3.2/chapter51/section3.2-5130/ →
Henrico County Permit Guide $26
This page stays free — the Henrico County statute, zoning notes, and official links. Permit Guide 101 is the paid packet (74 pages): the home cottage-food permit stack (zoning, health, and business license), the checklist, and the dashboard workspace. That packet is not on this free page.
Henrico County cottage food — FAQ
Do I need a permit to sell cottage food in Henrico County, Virginia?
Home occupation permit: Conditional. VDACS permit application requires zoning approval documentation. Henrico County note: catering operations from a residence are prohibited per zoning restrictions (per henrico.gov). Cottage food direct sales under §3.2-5130 exemption may be treated differently than catering. Operator should confirm with Henrico County zoning/planning department State cottage food registration may also apply — check the Virginia guide at https://crosodo.com/states/virginia.
Is a health inspection required for home bakers in Henrico County?
Inspection: No. Trigger: No routine inspection under §3.2-5130 exemption. 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 Virginia cottage food law in Henrico County?
Non-TCS shelf-stable foods from private homes including candies, jams, jellies (not low-acid/acidified), dried fruits, dry herbs, dry seasonings, dry mixtures, nuts, vinegars, popcorn, cotton candy, dried pasta, dry baking mixes, roasted coffee, dried tea, cereals, trail mixes, granola, and baked goods that do not require temperature control. Pickles and acidified vegetables with equilibrium pH 4.6 or lower are allowed with a $9,000 annual gross sales cap. Honey from own hives under 250 gallons per year is also allowed under a separate provision. County zoning does not expand the state product list — if a food is banned by Virginia, it stays banned. Verify with the state agency before selling.
What is the sales cap for cottage food in Virginia?
Virginia state law lists cottage food sales at Tiered. 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 Henrico County?
Home occupation permit: Conditional. VDACS permit application requires zoning approval documentation. Henrico County note: catering operations from a residence are prohibited per zoning restrictions (per henrico.gov). Cottage food direct sales under §3.2-5130 exemption may be treated differently than catering. Operator should confirm with Henrico County zoning/planning department
The free county page is the short version. This is the full Virginia License & Permit Guide (432 pages) — statute, every county we have researched, and official source URLs. Stripe checkout. Cover letter, paid receipt, and the guide (PDF) licensed to your address.
Unlimited Pass. Your journey to getting permitted for cottage food sales. Premium dashboard tools, unlimited state and county reports, and the 50-state label report. Lifetime access. Includes the full Virginia License & Permit Guide (432 pages).
Where to verify Henrico County rules
Henrico County vs. bordering counties
| Regulation | Henrico County This county | Chesterfield County | Richmond City |
|---|---|---|---|
| Home kitchen allowed | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Separate dedicated kitchen | No | No | No |
| Pets allowed | Good sanitation required; no specific state pet rule for cottage food exemption | No specific state restriction. | VDACS home food processing rules require pets to be completely excluded from food preparation, storage, packaging, and equipment cleaning a… |
| Inspection required | No | Upon-complaint | Conditional |
| On-site customer pickup | Yes | Conditional | Conditional |
| On-site signage | Conditional | No | Conditional |
| Delivery / pickup | Direct to consumer only; farmers markets, events, and roadside stands; no retail/wholesale sales | Direct-to-consumer only. No resale or sales to retail food establishments. Farmers markets, roadside stands, home delivery permitted. | Under Virginia cottage food exemption, direct sales only. Home pickup and local delivery permitted for non-TCS shelf-stable items. Online s… |
| Home occupation permit | Conditional | Conditional | Yes |
| Local business license | Varies | Yes | Yes |
| Restrictions | Non-TCS shelf-stable foods only; direct-to-consumer sales only; tiered annual sales cap; zoning approval documentation required if seeking … | Virginia cottage food law (Va. Code §3.2-5130) exempts non-TCS shelf-stable foods from licensing and inspection. Permitted items: candies, … | Virginia state law (Va. Code §3.2-5130) exempts non-TCS cottage foods from permitting. For home food processing operations (broader range o… |
| Food storage | Non-TCS foods stored in sanitary conditions | Non-TCS shelf-stable products. No TCS foods. | Proper storage to prevent contamination; pet-excluded areas required for VDACS permit pathway. |
| Population | 333,120 | 366,019 | 227,171 |
Henrico County baker discussion
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