Washington's Cottage Food Law
Washington state permits cottage food production under its cottage food law, which allows individuals to prepare and sell certain non-potentially-hazardous foods from a licensed home kitchen. You don't need a commercial kitchen to qualify, but your home kitchen must meet basic cleanliness standards. The law covers baked goods, jams, honey, candy, and similar shelf-stable products that don't require refrigeration to stay safe.
You can sell your products directly to consumers through farmers markets, roadside stands, fairs, and home-based sales. Online orders are allowed, which means you can take orders through a website or social media. However, shipping your products is not permitted, so all transactions must end in a direct, in-person handoff to the buyer. You can't sell wholesale to retailers or restaurants under the cottage food exemption.
Your gross annual sales cannot exceed $25,000. No permit or registration is required before you start selling, which makes Washington relatively accessible for new producers. One practical advantage is that online ordering is allowed, giving you flexibility to build a customer base before investing in a commercial space. As your business grows, you can explore licensed commercial kitchens to scale beyond the revenue cap.
Annual Limit
$25,000/year
Permit Required
No
Online Orders
Allowed
Shipping
Not Allowed
Permitted Foods
- ✓Baked goods (breads, cookies, cakes, muffins, pastries)
- ✓Jams, jellies, and preserves
- ✓Honey and honey products
- ✓Candy and confections
- ✓Roasted nuts
- ✓Dried herbs and seasonings
- ✓Granola and trail mix
- ✓Fruit pies (shelf-stable)
Prohibited Foods
- ✗Meat and poultry products
- ✗Seafood products
- ✗Items requiring refrigeration
- ✗Canned low-acid vegetables
- ✗Dairy-based products
- ✗Cream-filled pastries
- ✗Fermented or pickled vegetables
Labeling Requirements
- ✓Producer's full name and home address
- ✓Product name
- ✓Complete ingredient list in descending order by weight
- ✓Major food allergen disclosure
- ✓Net weight or net volume
- ✓Statement: 'Made in a home kitchen that is not inspected by the Washington State Department of Agriculture'
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Washington allows online orders
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Bill tracking data provided by LegiScan