District of Columbia Cottage Food Laws
Income Limit
Unlimited
Online Sales
Yes
Current Law Details
Removed $25,000 cap in 2020. Requires $50 registration (2 years), national CFPM certification + DC CFPM ID card ($35), Home Occupancy Permit ($122.60), and pre-operational kitchen inspection. Total initial costs ~$276.60. Complex application process (30-day review). Multiple sales venues allowed (direct, retail, online, wholesale) but limited to within DC only. Cannot sell to restaurants or grocery stores.
Registration & Training
📋Registration
- Required
- Yes
- Type
- registration
- Cost
- $50.00 (valid 2 years)
- Renewal Period
- Every 2 years
- Inspection Required
- Yes
🎓Training
- Required
- Yes
- Type
- Nationally Accredited Certified Food Protection Manager (CFPM) Certification + DC-Issued CFPM ID Card
- Cost
- ~$69 (national certification) + $35 (DC CFPM ID card) = ~$104 total
- Validity Period
- 3 years
Labeling Requirements
Required Statement
"MADE IN A COTTAGE FOOD OPERATION THAT IS NOT SUBJECT TO THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA'S FOOD SAFETY REGULATIONS"
Additional Label Elements
- ✓Cottage food business ID number
- ✓Product name
- ✓Ingredients (in descending order by weight)
- ✓Net weight or volume
- ✓Allergen information
- ✓Nutritional information (if health/nutrient claims made)
Allowed Sales Venues
Multiple venues allowed including direct sales, farmers markets, events, online, retail stores (except grocery stores), roadside stands, delivery/pickup, and wholesale to licensed food establishments. Cannot sell to restaurants or grocery stores. All sales must be within District of Columbia only.
Shipping & Delivery
Shipping Options
- In-State
- Allowed
- Out-of-State
- Not Allowed
Delivery Methods
- Commercial Carriers
- Allowed
- Third-Party Delivery
- Allowed
Products can be shipped/mailed or delivered in person within DC only. Cannot ship across state lines. Cottage food statement must appear on shipping container or invoice.
Allowed Foods
Most non-perishable foods allowed: breads, cookies, cakes, candies, dry goods, preserves, snacks, brownies, fudge, cotton candy, brittles, pastries, honey, syrups, vinegars, cereals, dried fruits, pasta, granolas, fruit leathers, nuts and seeds. Prohibited: perishable baked goods requiring refrigeration, acidified foods, low-acid canned foods, pickles, fruit butters, salsas, ketchups, juices, meat products, and foods requiring temperature control. Cannot use reduced oxygen packaging.
Recent Legislative Updates
Law 23-0061 (B23-0192) - Cottage Food Expansion Amendment Act of 2019
Effective: March 10, 2020
Removed annual revenue cap ($25,000 limit eliminated), allowed all direct sales, and revised inspection requirements
Law 23-0269 (B23-0269) - Health Care Reporting Amendment Act of 2019
Effective: July 2020
Allowed online and retail sales
Important Warnings & Notes
- ⚠️High initial costs (~$276.60) including Home Occupancy Permit ($122.60), national CFPM certification (~$69), DC CFPM ID card ($35), and cottage food registration ($50)
- ⚠️Multiple bureaucratic hurdles - four separate permits/certifications required before starting
- ⚠️Mandatory pre-operational kitchen inspection required within 14 days of application approval
- ⚠️Geographic limitation - cannot sell outside DC boundaries (very small market of ~700,000 people in 68 square miles)
- ⚠️Cannot sell to restaurants or grocery stores (retail sales limited to other licensed food establishments)
- ⚠️Proof of calibrated scales required if selling food by weight (cost varies)
- ⚠️Products must be stored on business premises only - separate from personal ingredients
- ⚠️Must display Cottage Food Business Registration Certificate at all sales events
- ⚠️Subject to ongoing inspections if complaints arise or violations suspected
- ⚠️Multiple renewal cycles: registration every 2 years, CFPM certifications every 3 years
- ⚠️Can only produce/sell products on Department's approved list - must notify DC Health of changes
- ⚠️Prior to 2020 reforms, only 3 registered cottage food producers existed due to restrictive regulations
Research Sources
This information was compiled from the following sources (Last updated: 2025-10-06):
- •DC Code § 7-742.01 - Definitions
- •DC Code § 7-742.02 - Cottage food businesses
- •DC Code § 7-742.03 - Cottage food prepared or stored in private home
- •DC Municipal Regulations Title 25-K - Cottage Food Business Regulations
- •DC Health - Cottage Food Businesses official page
- •Institute for Justice - Selling Homemade Food in Washington, DC
- •Forrager.com - District of Columbia Cottage Food Law
Important Legal Disclaimer
This information is for educational purposes only and should not be considered legal advice. Cottage food laws change frequently and vary by local jurisdiction. Always verify current regulations with your state and local health departments before starting your business.
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