Indiana Cottage Food Law 2026: Homestead and Home Vendors

Indiana has two laws for selling food made at home. Home based vendors under IC 16-42-5.3 may sell non-potentially hazardous foods with a food handler certificate and a required label. Starting July 1, 2026, HEA 1424 added homestead vendors under IC 16-42-5.4, who may sell prepared foods, candy, produce and some meat from their own property or at a farmers market, with up to $1.5 million in gross sales a year and no state or local licensing beyond federal law. Neither law allows shipping outside Indiana. This guide explains both.

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

Quick facts

Home based vendors make non-potentially hazardous food at home and must get an ANSI-accredited food handler certificate and give a copy to the local health department. IC 16-42-5.3-7; IDOH home based vendor FAQ
Home based vendors may ship or deliver within Indiana in sealed, tamper-evident packages and must keep delivery addresses for one year. IC 16-42-5.3-6
Homestead vendors, effective July 1, 2026, may sell from their primary residence or agricultural property, or at a farmers market, directly to end consumers, with gross sales of no more than $1.5 million a year. IC 16-42-5.4-1, 3.5, 6; HEA 1424 (2026)
State and local agencies may not impose rules, certifications or licenses on homestead vendors that federal law does not require, but may investigate foodborne illness complaints. IC 16-42-5.4-5
Neither type of vendor may ship or deliver food to a consumer outside Indiana. IC 16-42-5.3-6(a); IC 16-42-5.4-7(b), 8(c)

What the law calls it

Indiana uses "home based vendor" for IC 16-42-5.3 and "homestead vendor" and "small farm" for IC 16-42-5.4. "Cottage food" is an everyday name, not an Indiana legal term. IC 16-42-5.3-1; IC 16-42-5.4-1, 4

Foods you can sell

Home based vendors: non-potentially hazardous foods, plus some eggs and poultry and rabbit processed under state law. IC 16-42-5.3-1; IDOH home based vendor FAQ
Homestead vendors: prepared foods, including baked goods; candy; produce; natural sweeteners; fruit spreads; and meat products raised on the vendor's property and slaughtered, processed and labeled under IC 15-17-5. IC 16-42-5.4-6(b)

Foods you cannot sell

Home based vendors may not sell potentially hazardous foods that need time or temperature control. IC 16-42-5.3-1; IDOH home based vendor FAQ
Homestead vendors may sell only the categories in 5.4-6(b), and meat must come from animals raised on their property. IC 16-42-5.4-6(b)

Sales limit

Home based vendors: no state sales cap was found in IC 16-42-5.3. IC 16-42-5.3-1-10
Homestead vendors: no more than $1.5 million in gross sales of food or meat products a year. IC 16-42-5.4-1

Where and how you can sell

Home based vendors: directly to end consumers, including at farmers markets and roadside stands and by in-state shipping or delivery. Labels must be posted on the vendor's website for online sales. IC 16-42-5.3-5(b), 6; IDOH home based vendor FAQ
Homestead vendors: at the vendor's property or a farmers market, directly to an end consumer. IC 16-42-5.4-6(a)
Homestead vendor shipping: allowed in a sealed package directly to an end consumer only if the vendor has an ANSI-accredited food handler certificate. Without one, the vendor may not ship or deliver. IC 16-42-5.4-8(a)-(b)
Out of state: neither law allows shipping or delivering to a consumer outside Indiana. IC 16-42-5.3-6(a); IC 16-42-5.4-8(c)
Wholesale and resale: home based vendor labels must say "NOT FOR RESALE," and homestead vendors sell directly to end consumers. IC 16-42-5.3-5(a)(6); IC 16-42-5.4-6

Labeling rules

Home based vendors: name and address of the producer; common name of the food; ingredients in descending order by weight; net weight, volume or count; date processed; and, in at least 10-point type, "This product is home produced and processed and the production area has not been inspected by the Indiana Department of Health. NOT FOR RESALE." IC 16-42-5.3-5(a)
Homestead vendors: a label for packaged foods or a sign for unpackaged foods with the vendor's name and address, ingredients in descending order by weight, a product description, allergens the food may have contacted and, in at least 10-point type, "This product was produced by a homestead vendor or the owner of a small farm that is exempt from government licensing and inspection." IC 16-42-5.4-7(a)

Permits and training

Home based vendors need no food establishment permit but must hold an ANSI-accredited food handler certificate. IDOH says egg sellers do not need one. IC 16-42-5.3-7; IDOH home based vendor FAQ
Homestead vendors need no state or local license beyond federal law. A food handler certificate is required only to ship or deliver. IC 16-42-5.4-5, 8

Zoning, HOAs and local rules

Local governments may not impose rules or licenses on homestead vendors beyond federal law. Stands on the property are exempt from some building rules but still need sewer or septic approval if they have plumbing, and local setback, parking, signage and driveway rules still apply. IC 16-42-5.4-5; HEA 1424 Sections 9-11
Neither law addresses HOA covenants, so check your HOA documents.

Inspections

Home based vendors are subject to sampling and inspection if IDOH finds food misbranded or adulterated or receives a consumer complaint. IC 16-42-5.3-8
Homestead vendors may be investigated after foodborne illness complaints. IC 16-42-5.4-5(b)

When you need a permit instead

Potentially hazardous foods made by a home based vendor, sales to stores for resale and sales outside Indiana need a licensed food establishment. IC 16-42-5.3-1, 5, 6

Timeline

July 2009: Indiana's first home based vendor rule takes effect. Harrison County Health Department
2022: HEA 1149 replaces it with IC 16-42-5.3, adding in-state shipping and the food handler certificate. IDOH home based vendor FAQ
March 12, 2026: HEA 1424 is signed and becomes Public Law 163. HEA 1424 (2026)
July 1, 2026: IC 16-42-5.4 on homestead vendors and small farms takes effect. HEA 1424 (2026)
Oct. 13, 2026: this page was last reviewed against IC 16-42-5.3 and HEA 1424.

Frequently asked questions

Do I need a permit to sell baked goods from home in Indiana?

No food establishment permit is needed. Home based vendors need a food handler certificate. Homestead vendors need no state or local license beyond federal law. Sources: IC 16-42-5.3-7; IC 16-42-5.4-5.

What is a homestead vendor in Indiana?

A person who prepares and sells food or meat products from his or her primary residence or agricultural property, or at a farmers market, with no more than $1.5 million in gross sales a year. Source: IC 16-42-5.4-1, 3.5.

Is there a sales cap in Indiana?

No cap was found for home based vendors. Homestead vendors are limited to $1.5 million in gross sales a year. Sources: IC 16-42-5.3-1-10; IC 16-42-5.4-1.

Can I sell homemade food online in Indiana?

Home based vendors may sell and ship within Indiana and must post labels on their website. Homestead vendors may ship in Indiana only with a food handler certificate. Sources: IC 16-42-5.3-5(b), 6; IC 16-42-5.4-8.

Can I ship homemade food to other states from Indiana?

No. Neither home based vendors nor homestead vendors may ship or deliver to consumers outside Indiana. Sources: IC 16-42-5.3-6(a); IC 16-42-5.4-8(c).

Can I sell to stores or coffee shops?

No under the home based vendor law, whose labels must say NOT FOR RESALE. Homestead vendors sell directly to end consumers. Sources: IC 16-42-5.3-5(a)(6); IC 16-42-5.4-6.

Do I need a food handler certificate?

Yes for home based vendors, though IDOH says egg sellers do not need one. Homestead vendors need one only to ship or deliver. Sources: IC 16-42-5.3-7; IDOH home based vendor FAQ; IC 16-42-5.4-8.

What does a home based vendor label need to say?

"This product is home produced and processed and the production area has not been inspected by the Indiana Department of Health. NOT FOR RESALE." plus the name and address, product name, ingredients, net amount and processing date. Source: IC 16-42-5.3-5(a).

Can I sell meat under Indiana's homestead law?

Yes, if the animals were raised on your property and slaughtered, processed and labeled under IC 15-17-5, and the meat is kept refrigerated. Source: IC 16-42-5.4-6(b), 9.

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 Indiana Department of Health, or IDOH, your local health department or an attorney before you start selling.

Indiana Cottage Food Laws