Cottage Food Laws by State
Pennsylvania Cottage Food Laws
Pennsylvania has no separate cottage food exemption that we could confirm. Home cooks instead register with the state agriculture department as a Limited Food Establishment, a residential-style kitchen making non-hazardous foods that need no refrigeration. The process includes a plan review and an on-site inspection, and the registration costs $35 initially and $35 each year.
Annual sales cap
No cap
Permit
Required
Training
Not required
Home inspection
Yes
Online sales
Allowed
Wholesale
Not allowed
Verified against official sources on 2026-10-21.
Where You Can Sell in Pennsylvania
Registered producers can sell directly to shoppers at farmers markets, community events, roadside stands, and from the production site, including online orders. Some retail stores may stock your products if the labels comply. Wholesale and restaurant supply are off limits and need a different license. Events and markets may call for an additional retail food facility license.
| Channel | Status |
|---|---|
| From home | Allowed |
| Farmers markets |
Conditions apply
A Retail Food Facility License may be required for sales at events or farmers markets. |
| Events & festivals |
Conditions apply
A Retail Food Facility License may be required for sales at events or farmers markets. |
| Roadside stands | Allowed |
| Online orders | Allowed |
| Retail stores |
Conditions apply
Some retail stores may carry your products if the labeling requirements are met. |
| Wholesale | Not allowed |
| Restaurants | Not allowed |
What You Can Sell in Pennsylvania
Think shelf-stable and low risk: baked goods without cream fillings, jams, jellies, candies, and certain snack mixes are the examples the state gives. Anything that needs refrigeration or hot holding, such as shellfish, is not allowed. Because the state may require testing for home kitchens, it is wise to confirm each product with the department before you launch.
Non-hazardous foods that do not need refrigeration after preparation, such as baked goods without cream fillings, jams, jellies, candies, and certain snack mixes.
Not allowed
Limits and Requirements
Annual sales cap
No cap
- Direct-to-consumer sales only
- Preparing food for restaurants or wholesale requires a different license
- Registration includes routine PDA inspection of the production site
- Submit application materials at least 60 days before you plan to operate
- Registration must be renewed every year
How to Start Selling in Pennsylvania
-
1
Read the application packet
Download the Limited Food Establishment application packet from the PDA page and confirm your products are non-hazardous and shelf-stable.
-
2
Submit plan review materials
Email ra-agplanreview@pa.gov (preferred), fax 717-787-1873, or mail the Bureau of Food Safety and Laboratory Services, Attn: Plan Review, 2301 N. Cameron St., Room 112, Harrisburg, PA 17110, at least 60 days before operating. Do not send payment with it.
-
3
Wait for the plan decision
PDA decides within 15 business days and emails an approval letter; a rejection letter explains the problems and you may resubmit.
-
4
Pass the on-site inspection
An inspector checks sanitation and food handling against the PA Food Code. The $35 fee is collected at inspection and the report serves as temporary proof of registration.
-
5
Check event licensing
Ask PDA whether a Retail Food Facility License is needed for the farmers markets or events where you plan to sell.
-
6
Renew yearly
PDA mails a notice about two months before expiration; renew online for $35 with your user account and business code.
What a Compliant Pennsylvania Label Looks Like
Quickly Cottage builds your ingredient list, detects allergens, and adds the required disclosure automatically.
Product
Ingredients
Chocolate Cake Pops
Net Wt: 8 oz (227g)
Sunflower Home Bakery
412 Maple Ave, Springfield, PA
Ingredients:
Enriched Bleached Flour (Wheat Flour, Niacin, Iron, Thiamin Mononitrate, Riboflavin, Folic Acid), Sugar, Cocoa (Processed with Alkali), Leavening (Baking Soda, Sodium Aluminum Phosphate, Monocalcium Phosphate), Corn Starch, Salt, Soybean Oil; Sugar, Unsweetened Chocolate, Cocoa Butter, Milkfat, Soy Lecithin, Vanilla; Sugar, Corn Starch, Vegetable Oil (Palm), Confectioner's Glaze, Carnauba Wax, FD&C Colors; Water, Propylene Glycol, FD&C Red 40.
Contains:
Label Requirements
Every cottage food product sold in Pennsylvania must have a label that includes the following.
| Required field |
|---|
| All 9 FDA major allergens present |
| Complete ingredient list, in descending order by weight |
| Business name |
| Business address |
| Product name |
| Net weight |
Pennsylvania Labeling Notes
- Retail stores may carry your products only if these labeling requirements are met.
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Ingredient lists, allergens, and the required disclosure — built in automatically.
Pennsylvania Cottage Food — Common Questions
Register with the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture as a Limited Food Establishment: $35 initial fee and $35 annual renewal, after plan review and an on-site inspection.
Pennsylvania does not set a dollar cap on cottage food sales.
The PDA registration pages do not mention a training requirement.
Online sales are allowed.
Not allowed: Foods requiring refrigeration or hot holding, such as shellfish.
Resources and Law History
Who to contact
Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture, Bureau of Food Safety and Laboratory Services
717-787-4316
Agency websiteLaw reference: Pennsylvania Cottage Food Law (Pennsylvania Food Protection Act (3 Pa.C.S. Chapter 57), as referenced by PDA) · Last updated 2026 · Always verify requirements with your state's department of agriculture before selling.
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