warebythe washington cottage food law, in plain english
what you can sell from your home kitchen in washington, who you register with, where you can sell, and what the label has to say. checked against the state’s own pages on october 14, 2026.
on this page
1at a glance2what you can sell3how to start4where you can sell5labels6what’s changed7good to know8questions9sourcesyes, but washington requires a cottage food permit from the washington state department of agriculture (wsda) before you sell. it costs $355 for two years and includes a home kitchen inspection, and you’ll also need a food worker card and a state business license. you can sell up to $35,000 a year of shelf-stable foods like bread, cookies and jam straight to customers, from home or at farmers markets and fairs. you can take orders online, but every sale has to be finished in person: no shipping, couriers or selling to stores.
washington cottage food rules at a glance
| the law | washington cottage food law (revised code of washington, chapter 69.22 (cottage food operations)) |
|---|---|
| who runs it | washington state department of agriculture (wsda) |
| registration | yes cottage food permit ($355 for two years). renewed every 2 years |
| kitchen inspection | yes |
| training | yesa washington food worker card for you and anyone who helps make your products |
| yearly sales cap | $35,000 a year |
| selling from your home | yes |
| selling at farmers markets and events | yesfarmers markets, craft fairs and charity events; post your permit where you sell |
| selling online orders | limitedyou can list products and take orders online, but payment and handoff happen in person |
| selling delivering it yourself | yesyou hand it to the customer yourself; no couriers or mail |
| selling shipping within the state | no |
| selling shipping to other states | no |
| selling to stores, cafes and restaurants | nono stores, restaurants, consignment or wholesale; that needs a wsda food processor license |
what can you sell from home in washington?
you can sell
- breads, rolls, muffins and scones
- cakes, including wedding and birthday cakes
- cookies, bars and brownies
- baked fruit pies
- fudge, caramels, toffee and other candy
- jams, jellies and fruit butters made to fda standards
- dry spice blends, dry tea and roasted coffee beans
you can’t sell
- cheesecake and custard, cream or pumpkin pies
- meat, poultry or fish, including jerky
- canned vegetables, salsa and pickles
- cheese, yogurt and other dairy products
- drinks, juices and syrups
- low sugar jams
- dog treats
these are examples, not the full list. check the washington state department of agriculture (wsda) before you sell something new.
how do you start a cottage food business in washington?
- get your permit: a cottage food permit from the washington state department of agriculture (wsda). it costs $355 for two years. you renew it every 2 years. start here.
- get your kitchen inspected.
- take the training: a washington food worker card for you and anyone who helps make your products.
- label everything the way the law asks (below).
- start selling in the ways washington allows, and keep track of your sales if there’s a cap.
where and how can you sell in washington?
| from your home | yes |
|---|---|
| at farmers markets and events | yesfarmers markets, craft fairs and charity events; post your permit where you sell |
| online orders | limitedyou can list products and take orders online, but payment and handoff happen in person |
| delivering it yourself | yesyou hand it to the customer yourself; no couriers or mail |
| shipping within the state | no |
| shipping to other states | no |
| to stores, cafes and restaurants | nono stores, restaurants, consignment or wholesale; that needs a wsda food processor license |
on wareby, food is always pickup or delivery by the shop, never a courier and never shipped, which fits the rules in every state. how to sell food online from home.
what goes on a cottage food label in washington?
“Made in a home kitchen that has not been subject to standard inspection criteria.”
the statement washington requires on your label
the label also needs:
- your business name and permit number
- the product name
- ingredients, from most to least by weight, including sub-ingredients
- net weight or volume
- allergens
- nutrition info if you make a nutrition claim
- the statement in at least 11-point type in a contrasting color
what’s changed in washington, and what’s coming?
| when | what |
|---|---|
| 2023 | a new law raised the yearly sales cap to $35,000, made permits good for two years, and requires wsda to review the cap for inflation every four years (rules took effect january 11, 2024) |
| 2020 | labels show your permit number instead of your home address |
what else should you know in washington?
- check your city or county zoning before you apply; some areas limit home businesses.
- you can only sell the products listed on your permit, up to 50 base recipes, and adding one between renewals costs $105.
- wsda inspects your kitchen before you get the permit and again each year, and a failed inspection costs $125 to redo.
- if your home uses a well or other private water supply, you need a passing bacteria test within 60 days before you apply.
- pet treats: not allowed under a cottage food permit; wsda’s pet food program handles pet treats
questions people ask
do i need a license to sell baked goods from home in washington?
yes. washington requires a cottage food permit from the washington state department of agriculture (wsda), with a kitchen inspection.
can i sell cottage food online in washington?
yes, with limits: you can list products and take orders online, but payment and handoff happen in person.
can i ship cottage food in washington?
not within washington. shipping to other states isn’t allowed either.
how much can i sell from home in washington?
up to $35,000 a year.
can i sell to stores or coffee shops in washington?
no. no stores, restaurants, consignment or wholesale; that needs a wsda food processor license.
what can’t i sell from home in washington?
the usual no’s: cheesecake and custard, cream or pumpkin pies, meat, poultry or fish, including jerky, canned vegetables, salsa and pickles, cheese, yogurt and other dairy products, drinks, juices and syrups. check with the washington state department of agriculture (wsda) before you sell something new.
sources
- revised code of washington, chapter 69.22: cottage food operations
- washington administrative code 16-149-040: limitations
- washington administrative code 16-149-060: permits and fees
- washington administrative code 16-149-110: labeling
- washington state department of agriculture: cottage food
this is general information to help you get started, not legal advice. we checked it against washington’s own pages on october 14, 2026, and laws change, so confirm with the washington state department of agriculture (wsda) (and your city or county) before you sell. spot something out of date? email hello@shopwareby.com.
we sold cinnamon rolls from home as minnesota cottage food producers before we opened a licensed kitchen and built wareby. our story