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Cottage food laws

Michigan Cottage Food Law

Can you sell homemade food from your home kitchen in Michigan? Here are the sales cap, allowed foods, where you can sell, and the point where you must move into a licensed commercial kitchen.
Educational summary, not legal advice — cottage food rules change; confirm with the state before you sell.
Program
Cottage Food
Annual sales cap
$50,000 (up to $75,000 for products priced $250+ per unit)
Where you can sell
Direct/in-personFarmers marketsHome pickupOnline (in-state)Mail order (in-state)Third-party delivery platform (in-state, with prior buyer interaction)
Registration / to start
No license/registration; must keep sales records for MDARD inspector on request; labeling required
Allowed foods
Non-TCS foods: fruit jams/jellies, breads and baked goods, cookies, cakes, vinegars, other non-TCS foods
Not allowed
TCS/refrigerated foods, meat, low-acid canned goods; interstate sales
When you need a commercial / commissary kitchen
Exceeding the cap, selling TCS foods, or wholesale/interstate requires a licensed kitchen
Administered by
Michigan Department of Agriculture & Rural Development (MDARD) · Mich. HB 4122 (signed Dec 23, 2025)

Source: Michigan Department of Agriculture & Rural Development (MDARD). Cottage food laws change often — confirm current rules before selling.

Good to know

HB 4122 (effective March 24, 2026) raised the cap from $25,000 to $50,000 ($75,000 for items ≥$250/unit) and newly allowed in-state online, mail-order and third-party-delivery sales.

Outgrowing cottage food? When you need a licensed kitchen, see Michigan food-business requirements, estimate the build with the cost-to-open calculator, and check whether you need a hood.

Frequently asked

Can I sell homemade food in Michigan?
Yes. Michigan has a cottage food framework (Cottage Food) that lets individuals make and sell certain non-hazardous foods from a home kitchen. Annual sales are capped at $50,000 (up to $75,000 for products priced $250+ per unit). You still must follow the state's rules on allowed foods, labeling, and where you can sell. Administered by Michigan Department of Agriculture & Rural Development (MDARD).
What foods can I sell under Michigan's cottage food law?
Non-TCS foods: fruit jams/jellies, breads and baked goods, cookies, cakes, vinegars, other non-TCS foods Not allowed: TCS/refrigerated foods, meat, low-acid canned goods; interstate sales
When do I need a commercial or commissary kitchen in Michigan?
Exceeding the cap, selling TCS foods, or wholesale/interstate requires a licensed kitchen At that point, see the requirements and permit fees for your area.
Do I need a license or registration for cottage food in Michigan?
No license/registration; must keep sales records for MDARD inspector on request; labeling required
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