Home Bakers & Cottage Food Makers in Lee County, Florida
Lee County is home to cottage food makers selling homemade baked goods, jams, honey, and more directly to customers in Fort Myers, Cape Coral, Bonita Springs and 1 other communities. Under Florida Statute 500.80, these makers can sell non-potentially hazardous foods from their home kitchens with no commercial license required.
Cities in Lee County:
Showing 3 makers in Lee County
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Wild Rose Bakery
Wild Rose Bakery - Cottage food from BONITA SPRINGS, Florida
Cookies, Cake POPS, Sourdough, cakes on request,
Mom's Fourfold Cottage Bakery
Hand-crafted sourdough, hand-rolled bagels & cookies
Family-made cottage bakery hand-crafting small-batch sourdough loaves, hand-rolled bagels, and cookies. Sells via pre-order with front-porch pickup and at local markets including Babcock Ranch events.
Doughy Delights
Small-batch sourdough at SWFL farmers markets
Micro bakery that began in the owner's home kitchen, baking small-batch sourdough sold at local farmers markets and via a monthly subscription. Also offers sourdough learning kits.
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Farmers Markets in Lee County
Recurring markets where Lee County cottage food makers sell directly to customers. Schedules shift seasonally — tap a market for directions and verify hours before you go.
Fort Myers Farmers Market
Fort Myers Thursday
Cape Coral Farmers Market
Cape Coral Saturday (seasonal)
Alliance for the Arts Green Market
Fort Myers
Local Requirements in Lee 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
Lee County requires that cottage food operators obtain a Lee County Local Business Tax account. This is explicitly stated in county guidance for cottage food operations.
Renewal: September 30 each year
Apply / detailsHome Occupation & Zoning
Standard home occupation zoning rules apply.
Standard residential zoning applies. Check with Lee County planning and zoning.
Inside city limits?
If within Fort Myers, Cape Coral, or another municipality, check for city-level requirements.
Notes
Lee County is one of the counties that explicitly calls out cottage food operations as requiring a Local Business Tax account in their guidance.
⚠️ 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 Lee County before selling.
Cottage Food FAQ — Lee County
Do I need a license to sell cottage food in Lee 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. However, Lee County generally requires a local Business Tax Receipt to operate a home-based business.
Do I need a business tax receipt in Lee County?+
Lee County requires that cottage food operators obtain a Lee County Local Business Tax account. This is explicitly stated in county guidance for cottage food operations.
Do I also need a city business tax receipt in Lee County?+
If within Fort Myers, Cape Coral, or another municipality, check for city-level requirements.
Can I run a cottage food business from my home in Lee County?+
Standard home occupation zoning rules apply. Standard residential zoning applies. Check with Lee County planning and zoning.
Who do I contact about cottage food rules in Lee County?+
Lee County Tax Collector: 239-533-6000 — https://www.leetc.com. For health questions, contact Florida Department of Health in Lee County: 239-690-2100. Always confirm current requirements directly with the county before selling.
Setting up your Lee 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.
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List Your Business - It's FreeAbout Cottage Food in Lee County
Lee 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 Lee 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 Fort Myers or Cape Coral, 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.