Quick Answer

No, you do NOT need a license to sell cottage food from home in Florida, as long as you stay under $250,000 in annual gross sales and sell only allowed non-perishable foods directly to consumers.

Do I Need a License to Sell Food From Home in Florida?

Understanding Florida's cottage food law and what you actually need to start selling legally.

What You DON'T Need

Under Florida's cottage food law (FS 500.80), you are exempt from the following if you meet cottage food requirements:

Food service license

No DBPR (Department of Business and Professional Regulation) license required

Commercial kitchen

You can use your home kitchen legally

Health department inspections

Your home kitchen won't be inspected

Food handler certificate

Not required (but recommended for food safety knowledge)

Special business registration

No registration with state agriculture department needed

What You DO Need

While you don't need a license, you must follow these requirements:

1. Stay Under $250,000/Year

Your annual gross sales must not exceed $250,000. If you exceed this, you'll need to transition to a licensed food establishment.

2. Sell Only Allowed Foods

You can only sell non-perishable foods that don't require refrigeration:

Baked goods (cookies, cakes, bread)

Jams, jellies, preserves

Granola, dried fruit, popcorn

Honey, dry herbs, candies

3. Proper Labeling

Every product must have a label with:

Product name
Your name and physical address
Ingredient list (in descending order by weight)
Allergen warnings (contains: milk, eggs, nuts, etc.)
Required statement: "Made in a cottage food operation that is not subject to Florida's food safety regulations."

4. Direct-to-Consumer Sales Only

You can only sell directly to the end consumer (farmers markets, your home, online to individuals). You cannot sell to restaurants, retailers, or across state lines.

5. Basic Food Safety Practices

While not inspected, you're responsible for following basic food safety (clean surfaces, proper storage, no contamination). Recommended: Take a food safety course online.

Other Considerations

💰 Business Structure & Taxes

You don't need a special license, but you DO need to report income:

Register for an EIN (Employer Identification Number) with IRS (free)
Report all income on your tax return (Schedule C for sole proprietors)
Consider forming an LLC for liability protection (optional)
Check if your city requires a business tax receipt ($25-100/year typically)

🏠 Homeowners Insurance

Inform your homeowners insurance that you're running a business from home. Some policies require a rider or separate business policy.

🛡️ Liability Insurance (Optional but Recommended)

While not required, consider product liability insurance ($300-600/year) to protect against potential lawsuits if someone claims illness from your food.

Cottage Food vs Licensed Food Establishment

Requirement	Cottage Food	Licensed Kitchen
License Required	No	Yes
Sales Limit	$250,000/year	Unlimited
Products Allowed	Non-perishable only	Any food product
Sales Channels	Direct-to-consumer	Any (wholesale, retail, etc.)
Inspections	None	Regular health inspections
Startup Cost	$100-500	$10,000-50,000+

Ready to Start Without a License?

Get listed on Florida's cottage food directory and start connecting with customers today—no license required.

Get Listed Free Complete Legal Checklist