This is general information, not legal advice. Check with the Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development and your local rules before you start. Last reviewed Nov. 10, 2026.

What it is

Michigan’s Cottage Food Law lets a person make and package cottage food products in the kitchen of their primary domestic residence in Michigan and sell them directly to consumers. Cottage food products are foods that do not need time or temperature control for safety. The law is part of the Michigan Food Law, and the Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development, or MDARD, oversees it.

Sources: MCL 289.1105(j)-(k); MCL 289.4102(1); MDARD Cottage Food Getting Started FAQ

License or permit

A cottage food operation is exempt from MDARD licensing and routine inspection, and MDARD says there is no application or registration with the department. Operators may choose to register with the MSU Product Center, which may charge a one-time fee of up to $50 and issues a registration number that can replace the street address on labels.

Sources: MCL 289.4102(1), (8)-(9); MDARD Cottage Food Getting Started FAQ

Sales cap

Gross sales may not exceed $50,000 a year, or $75,000 a year if the operation sells products priced at $250 or more per unit. Starting Oct. 1, 2026, MDARD may adjust these limits each year for inflation. Operators should keep sales records, since MDARD may ask for them in writing.

Sources: MCL 289.4102(5); MDARD Cottage Food Getting Started FAQ

What you can sell

Operators may sell foods that do not need time or temperature control for safety. The Food Law lists jams, jellies, dried fruit, candy, cereal, granola, dry mixes, vinegar, dried herbs and baked goods that do not need refrigeration as examples.

Sources: MCL 289.1105(k); MDARD Cottage Food Getting Started FAQ

What you cannot sell

Cottage food does not include foods that need time or temperature control for safety, foods regulated under 21 CFR parts 108, 113 and 114 such as salsa, canned low-acid fruits or acidified vegetables, other canned foods except standardized jams, jellies and preserves, meat and poultry products, milk products, or bottled water and other beverages. MDARD also says canned, acidified and pickled foods do not qualify.

Sources: MCL 289.1105(k); MDARD Cottage Food Getting Started FAQ

How you can sell

Products must be sold directly from the operation to the consumer, and consignment and wholesale sales are not allowed. Internet, mail order and third-party delivery platform sales are allowed if the consumer can first interact directly with the operation, face to face or by a two-way video meeting, and those products may be sold or delivered only to consumers in Michigan. Products must be stored only in the primary domestic residence.

Sources: MCL 289.4102(4), (6); MDARD Selling and Samples page

Labels

Products must be prepackaged and labeled before sale. The label must show the operation’s name and address, or its name, phone number and MSU Product Center registration number; the product name; ingredients in descending order by weight; net weight or volume; allergens as federal rules require; and nutrition labeling if a nutrition claim is made. It must also carry the home kitchen statement in at least 11-point type in a contrasting color.

Sources: MCL 289.4102(2)-(3), (9)

Read the full Michigan cottage food law guide and FAQs

Michigan cottage food makers

Counties with listings

Upper Peninsula (25 listings)

Alger County

Chippewa County

Delta County

Dickinson County

Gogebic County

Houghton County

Iron County

Luce County

Mackinac County

Marquette County

Schoolcraft County

Northern Michigan (63 listings)

Alcona County

Alpena County

Benzie County

Charlevoix County

Cheboygan County

Crawford County

Emmet County

Grand Traverse County

Iosco County

Kalkaska County

Leelanau County

Manistee County

Missaukee County

Montmorency County

Ogemaw County

Otsego County

Presque Isle County

Roscommon County

Wexford County

West Michigan (138 listings)

Allegan County

Barry County

Ionia County

Kent County

Lake County

Mason County

Mecosta County

Montcalm County

Muskegon County

Newaygo County

Oceana County

Osceola County

Ottawa County

Southwest Michigan (66 listings)

Berrien County

Branch County

Calhoun County

Kalamazoo County

St. Joseph County

Van Buren County

Central Michigan and the Great Lakes Bay (65 listings)

Arenac County

Bay County

Clare County

Gladwin County

Gratiot County

Isabella County

Midland County

Saginaw County

The Thumb (44 listings)

Huron County

Lapeer County

Sanilac County

St. Clair County

Tuscola County

Mid-Michigan (Lansing and Flint) (103 listings)

Clinton County

Eaton County

Genesee County

Ingham County

Shiawassee County

Southeast Michigan (92 listings)

Hillsdale County

Jackson County

Lenawee County