Maryland lets a cottage food business make nonhazardous food in a residential kitchen and sell it in Maryland without a license from the Maryland Department of Health, or MDH, as long as it follows the cottage food law. The business must store its products at home and keep its annual revenue from cottage food sales at or below the state cap.

Sources: Md. Code, Health-Gen. 21-301(b-1), (b-2); Md. Code, Health-Gen. 21-330.1(b), (c)(1)

License or permit

No MDH license or routine inspection is needed. After a complaint or an illness report, MDH may investigate, inspect the kitchen and take samples. A business may ask MDH for an identification number to print on its label instead of its home address. Cottage food businesses must also follow county and city laws, including zoning, so check with your local government and health department.

Sources: Md. Code, Health-Gen. 21-330.1(b), (d), (e), (f); COMAR 10.15.03.27C(2)-(4); MDH Cottage Food FAQ (updated November 2025)

Sales cap

Annual revenue from cottage food sales may not exceed $100,000. Chapter 320 of 2026 (HB 535) raised the cap from $50,000, effective Oct. 1, 2026. MDH's guidelines, updated November 2025, and the General Assembly's online code text, which has not yet been updated for the 2026 law, still list $50,000.

Sources: Chapter 320 of 2026 (HB 535), amending Health-Gen. 21-301(b-1); MDH Guidelines for Cottage Food Businesses (updated November 2025)

What you can sell

Maryland allows nonhazardous foods that are safe at room temperature, such as breads, cookies, brownies, cakes and cupcakes without perishable icing or fillings, fruit pies made with high-acid fruit, hard candy, toffee and other nonperishable candy, high-acid jams, jellies and fruit butters made from the fruits the rules list, granola, popcorn, nuts and roasted whole coffee beans. MDH says some frostings, moist quick breads such as banana or zucchini bread and baked goods with alcohol added after baking need a lab test first.

Sources: COMAR 10.15.03.27B; MDH Guidelines for Cottage Food Businesses (updated November 2025); MDH Cottage Food FAQ (updated November 2025)

What you cannot sell

Foods that need refrigeration are not allowed, including cheesecake, cream, custard, meringue, pecan, pumpkin and sweet potato pies, and baked goods with perishable icings or fillings unless lab tests show they are shelf stable. MDH's list of foods not allowed also includes meat, poultry, fish and shellfish; milk and dairy products; beverages; acidified, pickled and fermented foods such as salsa, pickles and pepper jelly; low-acid canned foods; sauces and condiments; homemade fudge and caramels; and fried doughnuts. MDH also says its cottage food guidance does not cover pet foods or treats.

Sources: MDH Guidelines for Cottage Food Businesses (updated November 2025); MDH Cottage Food FAQ (updated November 2025)

How you can sell

Cottage food may be sold only in Maryland, directly to consumers from the home, at farmers markets, bake sales and public events, by personal delivery or by mail delivery. Products may be advertised online, but sales and shipping must stay in Maryland. Sales to a retail food store, such as a grocery store or food cooperative, need MDH's written OK first, after MDH reviews the label and proof of an approved food safety course taken in the past three years.

Sources: Md. Code, Health-Gen. 21-301(b-2), 21-330.1(g); COMAR 10.15.03.27A, C(6)-(7); MDH Cottage Food FAQ (updated November 2025)

Labels

Each product must be prepackaged with a label that shows the business name and home address, or the business name, phone number and MDH identification number; the product name; ingredients in order by weight; the net weight or volume; allergen information under federal rules; nutrition facts if a nutrition claim is made; and this statement in 10-point or larger type in a contrasting color: "Made by a cottage food business that is not subject to Maryland's food safety regulations." Products sold to a retail food store also need the business phone number, email address and the date the product was made.

Sources: Md. Code, Health-Gen. 21-330.1(c); COMAR 10.15.03.27C(1)

Read the full Maryland cottage food law guide and FAQs

Maryland cottage food makers

Counties with listings

Western Maryland (19 listings)

Allegany County

Garrett County

Washington County

Capital Region (68 listings)

Frederick County

Montgomery County

Prince George's County

Central Maryland (134 listings)

Anne Arundel County

Baltimore County

Baltimore City

Carroll County

Harford County

Howard County

Southern Maryland (32 listings)

Calvert County

Charles County

St. Mary's County

Eastern Shore (49 listings)

Caroline County

Cecil County

Dorchester County

Kent County

Queen Anne's County

Somerset County

Talbot County

Wicomico County

Worcester County

Maryland cottage food rules in plain English

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