foodservicenerd
Cottage food laws

District of Columbia Cottage Food Law

Can you sell homemade food from your home kitchen in District of Columbia? 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 Business
Annual sales cap
No cap
Where you can sell
Direct/in-personFarmers marketsPublic eventsOnline (in-District)Wholesale to licensed food establishments
Registration / to start
Submit Cottage Food Registry Application to DC Health; $50 application fee
Allowed foods
Non-TCS (shelf-stable) foods: baked goods, jams/jellies, candies, dry goods
Not allowed
TCS foods, canned fruit/vegetables/vegetable butters/salsas (not approved for markets/events); sales to restaurants and grocery stores
When you need a commercial / commissary kitchen
Selling canned/TCS foods or beyond registry scope requires a licensed kitchen
Administered by
DC Health (Department of Health) · D.C. Law 23-61

Source: DC Health (Department of Health). Cottage food laws change often — confirm current rules before selling.

Good to know

Law 23-61 removed the prior $25,000 cap; allows direct, limited retail, online (in-District), and wholesale to licensed establishments.

Outgrowing cottage food? When you need a licensed kitchen, see District of Columbia 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 District of Columbia?
Yes. District of Columbia has a cottage food framework (Cottage Food Business) that lets individuals make and sell certain non-hazardous foods from a home kitchen. There is no sales cap. You still must follow the state's rules on allowed foods, labeling, and where you can sell. Administered by DC Health (Department of Health).
What foods can I sell under District of Columbia's cottage food law?
Non-TCS (shelf-stable) foods: baked goods, jams/jellies, candies, dry goods Not allowed: TCS foods, canned fruit/vegetables/vegetable butters/salsas (not approved for markets/events); sales to restaurants and grocery stores
When do I need a commercial or commissary kitchen in District of Columbia?
Selling canned/TCS foods or beyond registry scope 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 District of Columbia?
Submit Cottage Food Registry Application to DC Health; $50 application fee
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