Home Bakers & Cottage Food Makers in Alachua County, Florida
Alachua County is home to cottage food makers selling homemade baked goods, jams, honey, and more directly to customers in Gainesville, Newberry, High Springs. Under Florida Statute 500.80, these makers can sell non-potentially hazardous foods from their home kitchens with no commercial license required.
Cities in Alachua County:
Showing 2 makers in Alachua County
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Schenck’s Bakehouse
Schenck’s Bakehouse - Cottage food from Earleton, Florida
Sourdough loaves, cinnamon rolls, cookies, muffins, and more sweets!
Lore Bakehouse
Organic-flour sourdough boules & whole-grain loaves
Home-based bakery operating under Florida's cottage food law, baking organic-flour sourdough boules and whole-grain loaves. Sells at the Haile Farmers Market (Saturdays) and Grove Street Farmers Market (Mondays).
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Farmers Markets in Alachua County
Recurring markets where Alachua County cottage food makers sell directly to customers. Schedules shift seasonally — tap a market for directions and verify hours before you go.
Haile Farmers Market
Gainesville Saturday
Grove Street farmers Market
Gainesville
Union Street Farmers Market @ Celebration Pointe
Gainesville
Local Requirements in Alachua County
Selling cottage food itself needs no local food license — Florida Statute 500.80 preempts it. What may apply are general home-based-business rules. Always confirm current details with the county before you start.
Local Business Tax Receipt
Alachua County's Board of County Commissioners passed an ordinance REPEALING the county Local Business Tax, so a county Local Business Tax Receipt (BTR) is no longer required. Additionally, Florida's 2021 home-based business law (F.S. 559.955) means no county licensing/permitting is required to establish a home-based business in unincorporated Alachua County. Cottage food is separately governed by F.S. 500.80 (no state permit; local food licenses preempted). If your home is inside a city, contact that city about its own BTR.
Renewal: N/A at county level (county BTR repealed). City BTRs, where applicable, generally expire September 30 annually (F.S. 205.053 statewide standard) — confirm with the city.
Apply / detailsHome Occupation & Zoning
No county home-occupation license required for a home-based business in unincorporated areas under F.S. 559.955. Alachua County Growth Management maintains a 'Home Based Business' information page (growth-management.alachuacounty.us/Business/HomeBased). Cities may impose home-occupation standards.
Standard residential home-occupation standards apply (business must remain incidental to residential use — no external evidence, limited traffic/signage per F.S. 559.955). No food-specific county zoning restriction verified beyond the state baseline.
Inside city limits?
Per the county tax collector, businesses within the city limits of Alachua, Archer, Gainesville, Hawthorne, High Springs, LaCrosse, Micanopy, Newberry or Waldo should contact that city about a municipal business tax requirement.
Notes
Confirm current municipal requirements directly with your city if inside city limits. Cottage food operators are still subject to F.S. 500.80 statewide rules (labeling, $250k cap, direct/online sales).
⚠️ HOA or deed restrictions can still bar a home food business even where the county allows it — check yours.
Compiled 2026-08-03 from county tax collectors, FDACS, and Florida Statutes 500.80 / 205 / 559.955. Educational information only — not legal advice. Verify current requirements with Alachua County before selling.
Cottage Food FAQ — Alachua County
Do I need a license to sell cottage food in Alachua County, Florida?+
No state license is required. Under Florida Statute 500.80, cottage food operations need no state permit, inspection, or registration to sell approved non-hazardous homemade foods, up to $250,000 in gross sales per year. And Alachua County does not require a county Business Tax Receipt.
Do I need a business tax receipt in Alachua County?+
Alachua County's Board of County Commissioners passed an ordinance REPEALING the county Local Business Tax, so a county Local Business Tax Receipt (BTR) is no longer required. Additionally, Florida's 2021 home-based business law (F.S. 559.955) means no county licensing/permitting is required to establish a home-based business in unincorporated Alachua County. Cottage food is separately governed by F.S. 500.80 (no state permit; local food licenses preempted). If your home is inside a city, contact that city about its own BTR.
Do I also need a city business tax receipt in Alachua County?+
Per the county tax collector, businesses within the city limits of Alachua, Archer, Gainesville, Hawthorne, High Springs, LaCrosse, Micanopy, Newberry or Waldo should contact that city about a municipal business tax requirement.
Can I run a cottage food business from my home in Alachua County?+
No county home-occupation license required for a home-based business in unincorporated areas under F.S. 559.955. Alachua County Growth Management maintains a 'Home Based Business' information page (growth-management.alachuacounty.us/Business/HomeBased). Cities may impose home-occupation standards. Standard residential home-occupation standards apply (business must remain incidental to residential use — no external evidence, limited traffic/signage per F.S. 559.955). No food-specific county zoning restriction verified beyond the state baseline.
Who do I contact about cottage food rules in Alachua County?+
Alachua County Tax Collector: Not verified — confirm with Alachua County Tax Collector — https://www.alachuacollector.com/. For health questions, contact Florida Department of Health in Alachua County: 352-334-7900. Always confirm current requirements directly with the county before selling.
Setting up your Alachua County cottage food business?
Cottage food needs no state license — but many farmers markets require proof of liability insurance, and forming an LLC keeps your personal and business finances separate.
Business liability insurance
General & product liability for food & market vendors, from ~$30/mo. Many markets require proof of coverage.
Get a free insurance quoteForm your LLC
Register your cottage food business as an LLC to separate personal & business liability.
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List Your Business - It's FreeAbout Cottage Food in Alachua County
Alachua County is part of Florida's growing cottage food community. Under Florida Statute 500.80, home-based food producers can sell non-potentially hazardous foods directly to consumers without needing a commercial kitchen, food establishment license, or state inspection.
Popular cottage food products in Alachua County include baked goods like cookies, cakes, and breads, as well as jams, honey, granola, candies, and dried herbs. All products must be properly labeled with ingredients, allergens, net weight, and the required cottage food disclaimer.
Whether you're in Gainesville or Newberry, you can find homemade products or start your own cottage food business. Browse our guides and free tools to get started, or browse all makers across Florida.