Home Bakers & Cottage Food Makers in Clay County, Florida
Clay County is home to cottage food makers selling homemade baked goods, jams, honey, and more directly to customers in Orange Park, Green Cove Springs, Middleburg. Under Florida Statute 500.80, these makers can sell non-potentially hazardous foods from their home kitchens with no commercial license required.
Cities in Clay County:
Showing 2 makers in Clay County
View all Florida makers →
Sweet Horizon Treats
Sweet Horizon Treats - Cottage food from Middleburg, Florida
Crispy Rice Marshmallow Treats
Harvestnhuuk
Harvestnhuuk - Cottage food from Keystone Heights, Florida
Datil pepper jam
Want homemade food in Clay County near you?
Tap in — we'll notify you when a maker offers it, and it tells makers there's demand in your area.
Farmers Markets in Clay County
Recurring markets where Clay County cottage food makers sell directly to customers. Schedules shift seasonally — tap a market for directions and verify hours before you go.
See all Florida farmers markets →Local Requirements in Clay 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
Clay County does NOT require a county business or occupational license / Business Tax Receipt. Per Clay County Planning & Zoning: 'At this time Clay County does not require any business or occupational license.' Written confirmation is available by emailing planningandzoning@claycountygov.com. A cottage food operator in unincorporated Clay County therefore needs no county BTR (and F.S. 500.80 removes the state food permit).
Renewal: N/A — no county BTR (city receipts, where applicable, typically renew by September 30)
Apply / detailsHome Occupation & Zoning
Clay County no longer requires a permit for Home Occupations, but home-occupation activities must comply with the county's home occupation regulations (allowed occupation types, zoning/code compliance). A Home Occupation Conditional Use Permit exists only for uses beyond the by-right home occupation standards. F.S. 559.955 also exempts many home-based businesses from local Certificate of Use.
Home occupations must comply with Clay County zoning/home-occupation standards (secondary to residential use). F.S. 500.80 preempts local regulation of the cottage food operation itself.
Inside city limits?
Incorporated municipalities require their own business tax if the business is located within city limits — e.g., City of Green Cove Springs (BTR application via greencovesprings.com) and Town of Orange Park (townoforangepark.com business tax); Keystone Heights and Penney Farms are also incorporated. Fleming Island and Middleburg are unincorporated (no county or city BTR).
Notes
Unique vs. baseline: Clay is a rare Florida county with NO county-level Business Tax Receipt requirement and no home-occupation permit — a distinct advantage for home-based cottage food operators in unincorporated areas. Confirm current status in writing via planningandzoning@claycountygov.com.
⚠️ 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 Clay County before selling.
Cottage Food FAQ — Clay County
Do I need a license to sell cottage food in Clay 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 Clay County does not require a county Business Tax Receipt.
Do I need a business tax receipt in Clay County?+
Clay County does NOT require a county business or occupational license / Business Tax Receipt. Per Clay County Planning & Zoning: 'At this time Clay County does not require any business or occupational license.' Written confirmation is available by emailing planningandzoning@claycountygov.com. A cottage food operator in unincorporated Clay County therefore needs no county BTR (and F.S. 500.80 removes the state food permit).
Do I also need a city business tax receipt in Clay County?+
Incorporated municipalities require their own business tax if the business is located within city limits — e.g., City of Green Cove Springs (BTR application via greencovesprings.com) and Town of Orange Park (townoforangepark.com business tax); Keystone Heights and Penney Farms are also incorporated. Fleming Island and Middleburg are unincorporated (no county or city BTR).
Can I run a cottage food business from my home in Clay County?+
Clay County no longer requires a permit for Home Occupations, but home-occupation activities must comply with the county's home occupation regulations (allowed occupation types, zoning/code compliance). A Home Occupation Conditional Use Permit exists only for uses beyond the by-right home occupation standards. F.S. 559.955 also exempts many home-based businesses from local Certificate of Use. Home occupations must comply with Clay County zoning/home-occupation standards (secondary to residential use). F.S. 500.80 preempts local regulation of the cottage food operation itself.
Who do I contact about cottage food rules in Clay County?+
Clay County Tax Collector: 904-269-6320 — https://www.claycountytax.com/. For health questions, contact Florida Department of Health in Clay County: 904-529-2800. Always confirm current requirements directly with the county before selling.
Setting up your Clay 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.
Start your LLCSome links are from partners who may pay us a commission — at no extra cost to you. We only list services makers actually use. Learn more.
Explore More
Understand Florida cottage food regulations
Labeling RequirementsWhat your cottage food labels must include
Free Label GeneratorCreate compliant labels in minutes
Recipe Cost CalculatorCalculate costs and set profitable prices
Sell Food From HomeComplete guide to getting started
Your First 30 DaysStep-by-step plan to launch your business
Nearby Counties
Are you a cottage food maker in Clay County?
Join our directory and connect with local customers looking for homemade goods
List Your Business - It's FreeAbout Cottage Food in Clay County
Clay 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 Clay 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 Orange Park or Green Cove Springs, 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.