Cottage Food Laws by State
Washington Cottage Food Laws
Washington State allows cottage food sales but requires a $355 permit and mandatory home kitchen inspection. The $35,000 annual cap and restriction to in-person sales at farmers markets make it one of the more regulated programs in the country.
Annual cap
$35,000
Permit required
Yes
Venues
4
Last updated
2026
What You Can Sell
The following product types are permitted under the Washington cottage food law.
Baked Goods
Permitted- Cakes and cupcakes
- Cookies and brownies
- Muffins and quick breads
- Yeast breads and rolls
- Fruit pies (cream and custard pies require refrigeration and are not permitted)
- Cake pops and dipped treats
- Donuts and pastries
Candies and Confections
Permitted- Chocolates and fudge
- Hard candies and lollipops
- Toffee and caramel (shelf-stable)
- Cake truffles
Preserved and Dry Goods
Permitted- Jams, jellies, and preserves
- Honey and honeycomb
- Dried herbs and spices
- Roasted nuts and trail mix
- Granola and cereal
- Popcorn and flavored popcorn
- Dried pasta (no egg)
Beverages
Permitted- Coffee (roasted or ground, not brewed)
- Dry tea blends
What You Cannot Sell
These product types are not covered by the Washington cottage food law and require a commercial kitchen license.
- Meat, poultry, and seafood products
- Dairy products (milk, cheese, butter)
- Items requiring refrigeration (cream pies, cheesecakes)
- Alcoholic beverages
- Fruit and vegetable juices
- Canned low-acid vegetables
Where You Can Sell
Washington permits cottage food sales at the following venues.
Direct from your home
Farmers markets
Roadside stands
Online with direct delivery
Online ordering and direct delivery to customers is permitted.
Annual Sales Cap
$35,000
Gross annual revenue from all cottage food sales.
Permit and Registration
A permit or registration is required
Requires a $355 permit (2-year term), mandatory home kitchen inspection, business plan, and individual label approval from WSDA.
What a Compliant Washington 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
Permit #CF-10293
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:
MADE IN A HOME KITCHEN THAT HAS NOT BEEN SUBJECT TO STANDARD INSPECTION CRITERIA.
Label Requirements
Every cottage food product sold in Washington 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 |
| Product name |
| Net weight |
| Permit number |
| "Not inspected" disclosure statement |
Required Label Disclosure
This exact text must appear on every label you sell in Washington.
MADE IN A HOME KITCHEN THAT HAS NOT BEEN SUBJECT TO STANDARD INSPECTION CRITERIA.
Quickly Cottage adds this to your label automatically.
Generate your Washington label in minutes
Ingredient lists, allergens, and the required disclosure — built in automatically.
Washington Cottage Food — Common Questions
No. Washington does not require any permit, license, or registration for cottage food producers.
No. Washington has no annual sales cap, making it one of the most permissive states for cottage food operations.
Yes. Washington permits online ordering with direct delivery to customers, which is more liberal than many other states.
Yes. Farmers markets are a fully permitted venue for Washington cottage food sellers.
Law reference: Washington Cottage Food Law (Revised Code of Washington, Section 69.22) · Last updated 2026 · Always verify requirements with your state's department of agriculture before selling.
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