Cottage Food Operation

Program Manager: Lucy Severs
Phone: (360) 902-1876 or Click here for contact information

Update! The Cottage Food Application Packet has been updated. We hope this revised application packet will assist you as you apply for your Cottage Food Operation Permit.  Adobe PDF: CottageFoodApplicationPacket081312.pdf    

The first Cottage Food Operation was permitted on July 3, 2012.  The Cottage Food Operations Law allows people to make low-risk food products in their own home kitchens and sell directly to consumers. Until this change, no food processing has been allowed to take place in home kitchens. Food processing is the handling or processing of any food in any manner of preparation for sale for human consumption.

Gross sales of cottage food products may not exceed an annual amount of $15,000. If gross sales exceed the maximum annual gross sales amount, the cottage food operation must either obtain a food processing plant license from WSDA under chapter 69.07 RCW or cease operations.

A cottage food operation must package and properly label for sale to the consumer any food it produces. The food may not be repackaged, sold, or used as an ingredient in other foods by a food processing plant, or sold by a food service establishment. They must comply with all applicable county and municipal laws and zoning ordinances that apply to conducting a business from one’s home residence prior to permitting as a cottage food operation, including obtaining a Master Business License.

For more information on Cottage Food Operations, please click on the left menu links for the Cottage Food Operation Frequently Asked Questions, and Laws & Rules.

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