Florida cottage food makers
94 listings in 3 counties so far, starting with Tampa Bay. Scroll down for Florida's cottage food rules.
Counties with listings
Hillsborough County
Tampa, Brandon, Riverview, Plant City and nearby towns.
38 listingsPasco County
Wesley Chapel, Zephyrhills, New Port Richey, Land O' Lakes and nearby towns.
26 listingsPinellas County
St. Petersburg, Clearwater, Largo, Dunedin and nearby towns.
30 listingsOther Florida counties (64): no listings yet
Make cottage food in one of these counties? Be one of the first listed. Pick your county to add your business free.
- Alachua
- Baker
- Bay
- Bradford
- Brevard
- Broward
- Calhoun
- Charlotte
- Citrus
- Clay
- Collier
- Columbia
- DeSoto
- Dixie
- Duval
- Escambia
- Flagler
- Franklin
- Gadsden
- Gilchrist
- Glades
- Gulf
- Hamilton
- Hardee
- Hendry
- Hernando
- Highlands
- Holmes
- Indian River
- Jackson
- Jefferson
- Lafayette
- Lake
- Lee
- Leon
- Levy
- Liberty
- Madison
- Manatee
- Marion
- Martin
- Miami-Dade
- Monroe
- Nassau
- Okaloosa
- Okeechobee
- Orange
- Osceola
- Palm Beach
- Polk
- Putnam
- St. Johns
- St. Lucie
- Santa Rosa
- Sarasota
- Seminole
- Sumter
- Suwannee
- Taylor
- Union
- Volusia
- Wakulla
- Walton
- Washington
Florida cottage food rules in plain English
This is general information, not legal advice. Check your state and local rules. Last reviewed Oct. 11, 2026.
What it is
A cottage food operation is a person or business that makes certain low-risk foods in a home kitchen and sells them directly to consumers.
License or permit
None. Florida does not require a food permit for cottage food operations that follow the cottage food law (Fla. Stat. 500.80) and stay under the sales cap.
Sales cap
Up to $250,000 in gross cottage food sales per year, counting every location and product. The Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FDACS) can ask for proof of sales.
How you can sell
Directly to consumers in person, online or by mail order. Products can be delivered in person, to an event venue, or by the U.S. Postal Service or a commercial carrier. Wholesale is not allowed, so you can't sell to stores, cafes or restaurants for resale.
Shipping out of state
The law allows delivery by mail and does not limit it to Florida. UF/IFAS Extension says products may be shipped across state lines by the U.S. Postal Service or a commercial carrier. The state you ship to may have its own rules, so check before you ship.
Foods you can sell
Loaf breads, rolls and biscuits; cakes, pastries and cookies; candies and confections; honey; jams, jellies and preserves; fruit pies and dried fruits; dry herbs, seasonings and mixtures; homemade pasta; cereals, trail mixes and granola; coated or uncoated nuts; vinegar and flavored vinegars; and popcorn and popcorn balls.
Foods you can't sell (examples)
Anything that needs refrigeration, such as cheesecake, custard or cream pies and cream cheese frostings or fillings. Also milk and dairy products, eggs, meat, fish or seafood products, home-canned fruits and vegetables, salsa and sauces, syrups, and CBD or hemp items. Pet food and pet treats are not cottage food.
Labels
Products must be prepackaged and labeled with the business name and address; the product name; ingredients in order by weight; net weight or volume; allergen information under federal rules; nutrition information if you make a nutrition claim; and this statement in at least 10-point type that contrasts with the background: “Made in a cottage food operation that is not subject to Florida’s food safety regulations.”
Local rules
Cities and counties can't ban cottage food operations or regulate how cottage food is made or sold. You still have to follow Florida's home-based business rules (Fla. Stat. 559.955). Your city or county may require a local business tax receipt, and HOA rules may still apply.
Taxes
Cottage food operations are not exempt from state or federal tax laws. Sales tax may apply to some items, so check with the Florida Department of Revenue.
Inspections
FDACS may investigate complaints. It can inspect a cottage food operation only after it receives a complaint.
Official sources
No website yet? Get your own for $50 a year.
A simple, phone-friendly site for your cottage food business with your menu, photos and how to order. One link to share on Instagram and Facebook.