Washington Cottage Food Law
Tier: Good. Solid baseline with moderate restrictions — typically a high cap (often $50K+) and standard direct-to-consumer rules. Workable for most home bakers.
None
Nonpotentially-hazardous baked goods; baked candies and stovetop candies; jams, jellies, preserves, and fruit butters (as defined in 21 C.F.R. §150); and other nonpotentially hazardous foods identified by the director by rule. No THC ingredients (0.3% or greater) permitted. No dollar sales cap is specified in the statute.
Registration: Yes. Food handler cert: Yes.
Revised Code of Washington, Title 69 Food, Drugs, Cosmetics, and Poisons, Chapter 69.22 Cottage Food Operations
Verbatim excerptRCW 69.22.010 Definitions. (1) "Cottage food operation" means a person who produces cottage food products only in the home kitchen of that person's primary domestic residence in Washington and only for sale directly to the consumer. (2) "Cottage food products" means nonpotentially hazardous baked goods; baked candies and candies made on a stovetop; jams, jellies, preserves, and fruit butters as defined in 21 C.F.R. Sec. 150 as it existed on July 22, 2011; and other nonpotentially hazardous foods identified by the director in rule. No ingredient containing a tetrahydrocannabinol concentration of 0.3 percent or greater may be included as an ingredient in any cottage food product. RCW 69.22.020(3) A cottage food operation must place on the label of any food it produces or packages, at a minimum, the following information: (a) The name and permit number issued under RCW 69.22.030 of the business of the cottage food operation; (b) The name of the cottage food product; (c) The ingredients of the cottage food product, in descending order of predominance by weight; (d) The net weight or net volume of the cottage food product; (e) Allergen labeling as specified by the director in rule; (f) If any nutritional claim is made, appropriate labeling as specified by the director in rule; (g) The following statement printed in at least the equivalent of eleven-point font size in a color that provides a clear contrast to the background: "Made in a home kitchen that has not been subject to standard inspection criteria." (4) Cottage food products may only be sold directly to the consumer and may not be sold by internet, mail order, or for retail sale outside the state. RCW 69.22.030(1) All cottage food operations must be permitted every two years by the department on forms developed by the department. All permits and permit renewals must be made on forms developed by the director and be accompanied by an inspection fee as provided in RCW 69.22.040, a $75 public health review fee, and a $30 processing fee.
Source: app.leg.wa.gov/RCW/default.aspx?cite=69.22.010 →
Washington Cottage Food Law — Full PDF report
A comprehensive report covering the Washington statute, every county we've researched, and authoritative source URLs.
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Washington Cottage Food Law — Official Guidance Summary
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.
- Washington State Department of Agriculturehttps://agr.wa.gov/services/business-services/food-safety-and-licensing/cottage-food-operations
Washington's cottage food rules are set by RCW §69.22.010–.040. The summary below is drawn from Crosodo's verified statute research and official agency guidance. Always confirm current requirements on the state agency website before you sell.
Program basics
- Revised Code of Washington, Title 69 Food, Drugs, Cosmetics, and Poisons, Chapter 69.22 Cottage Food Operations
- None
- Yes
- Yes
- Yes
Allowed products and sales channels
- Nonpotentially-hazardous baked goods; baked candies and stovetop candies; jams, jellies, preserves, and fruit butters (as defined in 21 C.F.R. §150); and other nonpotentially hazardous foods identified by the director by rule. No THC ingredients (0.3% or greater) permitted.
- No dollar sales cap is specified in the statute.
- Potentially hazardous (TCS) foods are prohibited. Products cannot be sold via internet, mail order, or for retail sale outside the state. No one other than the permittee or persons under their direct supervision may handle cottage food products or be in the kitchen during processing.
- Cottage food products may only be sold directly to the consumer. Internet sales, mail order, and retail sale outside Washington state are explicitly prohibited. Products may not be repackaged, sold, or used as an ingredient by a food processing plant, or sold by a food service establishment.
Labeling
- Every package must display: (1) business name and permit number; (2) product name; (3) ingredients in descending weight order; (4) net weight or volume; (5) allergen labeling per director's rules; (6) nutritional claim labeling if applicable; and (7) the statement 'Made in a home kitchen that has not been subject to standard inspection criteria.' in at least 11-point font in a contrasting color.
- Products must be stored only in the primary domestic residence.
Statute excerpt
- RCW 69.22.010 Definitions. (1) "Cottage food operation" means a person who produces cottage food products only in the home kitchen of that person's primary domestic residence in Washington and only for sale directly to the consumer. (2) "Cottage food products" means nonpotentially hazardous baked goods; baked candies and candies made on a stovetop; jams, jellies, preserves, and fruit butters as defined in 21 C.F.R. Sec.
- 150 as it existed on July 22, 2011; and other nonpotentially hazardous foods identified by the director in rule. No ingredient containing a tetrahydrocannabinol concentration of 0.3 percent or greater may be included as an ingredient in any cottage food product.
- RCW 69.22.020(3) A cottage food operation must place on the label of any food it produces or packages, at a minimum, the following information: (a) The name and permit number issued under RCW 69.22.030 of the business of the cottage food operation; (b) The name of the cottage food product; (c) The ingredients of the cottage food product, in descending order of predominance by weight; (d) The net weight or net volume of the cottage food product; (e) Allergen labeling as specified by the director in rule; (f) If any nutritional claim is made, appropriate labeling as specified by the director in rule; (g) The following statement printed in at least the equivalent of eleven-point font size in a color that provides a clear contrast to the background: "Made in a home kitchen that has not been subject to standard inspection criteria." (4) Cottage food products may only be sold directly to the consumer and may not be sold by internet, mail order, or for retail sale outside the state.
- RCW 69.22.030(1) All cottage food operations must be permitted every two years by the department on forms developed by the department. All permits and permit renewals must be made on forms developed by the director and be accompanied by an inspection fee as provided in RCW 69.22.040, a $75 public health review fee, and a $30 processing fee.
Official sources
- State agency cottage food page: https://agr.wa.gov/services/business-services/food-safety-and-licensing/cottage-food-operations
- Statute: https://app.leg.wa.gov/RCW/default.aspx?cite=69.22.040
Summarized from official Washington cottage food statute research and agency guidance. Agency rules change — verify on the official site before relying on this information.
Washington Counties
39 counties tracked. Pick yours for the local zoning + health department links.
View all 39 counties →City zoning rules in Washington
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)
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Washington cottage food law — FAQ
Do I need a license or permit to sell homemade food in Washington?
Yes — Yes. Food handler certification: Yes.
What foods can I sell under the Washington cottage food law?
Nonpotentially-hazardous baked goods; baked candies and stovetop candies; jams, jellies, preserves, and fruit butters (as defined in 21 C.F.R. §150); and other nonpotentially hazardous foods identified by the director by rule. No THC ingredients (0.3% or greater) permitted. No dollar sales cap is specified in the statute.
Is there a sales cap for cottage food in Washington?
None
How good is Washington's cottage food law?
Washington is a Good-tier cottage food state by Crosodo's rating criteria. Solid baseline with moderate restrictions — typically a high cap (often $50K+) and standard direct-to-consumer rules. Workable for most home bakers.
Cottage food laws are amended every year. This is a starting reference, not legal advice. Verify with Washington State Department of Agriculture and your local health department before relying on this data.