Arizona Cottage Food Law 2026: Free ADHS Registration, No Cap

Arizona's cottage food law, A.R.S. 36-931 through 36-933, lets an individual registered with the Arizona Department of Health Services, or ADHS, make food in a home kitchen and sell it without a food establishment permit or public health inspection. The law covers both shelf-stable foods and foods that need time or temperature control, but excludes alcoholic beverages, unpasteurized milk and seafood. Most meat and poultry are excluded unless federal law allows the sale. Shelf-stable foods may be sold through third-party vendors and delivered by carriers. Dairy, meat and poultry products must be sold by the preparer and delivered in person. The law sets no sales cap. This guide covers what you can sell, how you can sell, labeling and when you need a permit instead.

Disclaimer: This page is general information, not legal advice. Laws change, and local zoning, HOA and tax rules vary. Confirm current requirements with the Arizona Department of Health Services, or with an attorney, before you start selling.

Quick facts

Register with ADHS before preparing cottage food for sale, and renew every three years. A.A.C. R9-8-101.02; A.R.S. 36-136(I)(13)
Complete an accredited food handler training course and keep the certification active. A.R.S. 36-932(C)
ADHS describes the program as complimentary, with no annual program fees or public health inspections. ADHS Cottage Food Program presentation
The law sets no sales cap. A.R.S. 36-932
Dairy, meat and poultry products must be sold by the preparer and delivered in person. A.R.S. 36-932(E)(2)

What the law calls it

Arizona uses "cottage food product," "home kitchen" and "food preparer." A home kitchen is a residential kitchen of no more than 1,000 square feet, or the kitchen of a facility for individuals with developmental disabilities. A.R.S. 36-931

Foods you can sell

Food prepared in a home kitchen by, or under the direct supervision of, a registered individual, whether it is shelf-stable or needs time or temperature control, as defined by ADHS in rule. A.R.S. 36-931(1)(a)
Poultry from the federal 1,000-bird exemption or an inspected source, and meat from an inspected source. A.R.S. 36-931(1)(b)
ADHS says special processes such as freeze drying, acidified foods, fermentation, canning and dehydrating are allowed. ADHS Cottage Food Program presentation

Foods you cannot sell

Alcoholic beverages, foods that are or contain alcoholic beverages, unpasteurized milk and fish or shellfish products. Meat and poultry are also excluded unless federal law allows the sale. A.R.S. 36-931(1)(b)
Foods containing marijuana or marijuana by-products. A.R.S. 36-932(F)(2)

Sales limit

The law does not set a dollar limit. A food preparer may sell cottage food products to the maximum extent allowed by federal law, except as the article provides. A.R.S. 36-932(D)(1)

Registration and training

Complete an accredited food handler course, then submit a registration application to ADHS with your contact information, home kitchen address and certificate. Renew every three years and report changes within 30 days. A.A.C. R9-8-101.02
Display your certificate of registration when selling away from your home kitchen. A.A.C. R9-8-101.02; A.R.S. 36-932(C)
ADHS keeps an online registry of registered food preparers. A.R.S. 36-136(I)(13)

Where and how you can sell

Shelf-stable products without dairy, meat or poultry may be sold by the preparer or an agent, including a third-party vendor, and delivered by the preparer, the agent, the vendor or a third-party carrier. A.R.S. 36-932(E)(1)
Dairy, meat and poultry products must be sold by the preparer in person or remotely, including online but not through third-party food delivery platforms, and delivered in person. A.R.S. 36-932(E)(2)
Foods that need temperature control must be kept at a safe temperature during transport, transported only once and for no longer than two hours. A.R.S. 36-932(E)(3)
Online: allowed. Online listings must show your name and registration number, ingredients, production date, the home kitchen statement and the ADHS website. A.R.S. 36-932(B)
Shipping to other states: the law allows sales to the maximum extent allowed by federal law but does not mention out-of-state sales. ADHS says shelf-stable products can be shipped within Arizona. Ask ADHS before shipping out of state. A.R.S. 36-932(D)(1); ADHS Cottage Food Program presentation
Stores: a third-party vendor must sell cottage foods in a separate section or display case with a sign saying they are homemade and exempt from state licensing and inspection. A.R.S. 36-932(E)(4)
Restaurants: cottage food may not be used as an ingredient in food sold at a permitted retail food establishment. A.R.S. 36-932(F)(1)

Labeling rules

Package at home with a label that shows your name and registration number; all ingredients and the production date; the statement "This product was produced in a home kitchen that may come in contact with common food allergens and pet allergens and is not subject to public health inspection."; a disclosure if made in a facility for individuals with developmental disabilities; and the ADHS website for illness reports and registration checks. A.R.S. 36-932(A)

Zoning, HOAs and local rules

The law does not affect county or municipal building codes, zoning codes or other land use rules. A.R.S. 36-933(A)(4)
ADHS says cities may require seller's permits and HOAs may have restrictions. ADHS Cottage Food Program presentation

Inspections

Registered preparers are exempt from public health inspection. ADHS may investigate foodborne illness and may suspend or revoke a registration for noncompliance. A.R.S. 36-933; ADHS Cottage Food Program presentation
Cottage foods and equipment may not be stored outside your home. A.R.S. 36-932(D)(2)

When you need a permit instead

Excluded foods, food used as an ingredient in a permitted retail food establishment and operations outside a home kitchen require a food establishment permit. Contact your county health department. A.R.S. 36-931; A.R.S. 36-932(F)

Timeline

Feb. 28, 2025: ADHS's cottage food rule, A.A.C. R9-8-101.02, was published in the Arizona Administrative Register. A.A.C. R9-8-101.02
Oct. 13, 2026: this page was last reviewed against the Arizona Revised Statutes and ADHS guidance.

Frequently asked questions

Do I need a permit to sell cottage food in Arizona?

You need to register with ADHS, not get a food establishment permit. Source: A.A.C. R9-8-101.02.

How much does Arizona cottage food registration cost?

ADHS describes the program as complimentary, with no annual program fees. Source: ADHS Cottage Food Program presentation.

Is there a sales cap in Arizona?

No. The law does not set a dollar limit. Source: A.R.S. 36-932(D)(1).

Can I sell perishable foods from my Arizona home kitchen?

Yes. The law covers foods that need time or temperature control, with transport limits. Sources: A.R.S. 36-931(1)(a); A.R.S. 36-932(E)(3).

Can I sell cottage food online in Arizona?

Yes, with a prominent online notice. Dairy, meat and poultry products may not be sold through third-party food delivery platforms. Sources: A.R.S. 36-932(B); A.R.S. 36-932(E)(2).

Can I ship cottage food in Arizona?

Shelf-stable products without dairy, meat or poultry may be delivered by a third-party carrier. Source: A.R.S. 36-932(E)(1).

Can I ship cottage food to other states from Arizona?

The law does not say. ADHS says shelf-stable products can be shipped within Arizona. Ask ADHS. Sources: A.R.S. 36-932(D)(1); ADHS Cottage Food Program presentation.

Can I sell cottage food in stores in Arizona?

Yes, through a third-party vendor that uses a separate display and a sign. Source: A.R.S. 36-932(E)(4).

Can restaurants use my cottage food in Arizona?

No. It may not be used as an ingredient in food sold at a permitted retail food establishment. Source: A.R.S. 36-932(F)(1).

Do I need food handler training in Arizona?

Yes. Complete an accredited food handler course and keep the certification active. Source: A.R.S. 36-932(C).

What must an Arizona cottage food label say?

Your name and registration number, ingredients, production date, the home kitchen statement and the ADHS website. Source: A.R.S. 36-932(A).

Official sources

This page is general information, not legal advice. Laws change, and local zoning, HOA and tax rules vary. Confirm current requirements with the Arizona Department of Health Services, or with an attorney, before you start selling.

Arizona Cottage Food Laws