Michigan Cottage Food Law 2026: $50,000 Cap, Online Sales

Michigan's Cottage Food Law exempts home kitchens that make non-potentially hazardous foods from Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development, or MDARD, licensing and routine inspection. Sales must go directly to consumers in Michigan, and the gross sales cap is $50,000, or $75,000 for products priced at $250 or more per unit. The law, last amended effective March 24, 2026, allows internet, mail order and delivery-platform sales within Michigan if buyers can interact directly with the seller first. This guide covers what you can sell, how you can sell, labeling and when you need a license 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 Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development, or with an attorney, before you start selling.

Quick facts

Cottage food operations are exempt from MDARD licensing and routine inspection. MCL 289.4102; MDARD Getting Started FAQ
Gross sales are capped at $50,000 a year, or $75,000 if products sell for $250 or more per unit. The law allows MDARD to adjust the cap for inflation after Oct. 1, 2026. MCL 289.4102
Products must be sold directly to the consumer and only within Michigan. MCL 289.4102
Internet, mail order and third-party delivery sales are allowed if the buyer can interact directly with the operator before the sale. MCL 289.4102
Wholesale, consignment and sales to restaurants or grocery stores are not allowed. MDARD Selling and Samples page
Labels need an 11-point home kitchen statement. MCL 289.4102

What the law calls it

Michigan uses "cottage food operation" and "cottage food product." The kitchen must be in the operator's single-family domestic residence, meaning the primary residence, owned or rented. MCL 289.4102; MDARD Getting Started FAQ

Foods you can sell

Non-potentially hazardous foods that do not need time or temperature control for safety, such as fruit jams and jellies, breads and similar baked goods, cookies, cakes and vinegars. MDARD keeps a longer list. MDARD Getting Started FAQ

Foods you cannot sell

Canned, acidified, acid, low-acid or pickled foods. MDARD Getting Started FAQ
Meat, poultry, fish and shellfish, eggs, milk and dairy products, cooked plant foods such as rice, beans, vegetables or mushrooms, baked potatoes, raw sprouts, tofu and soy-protein foods and untreated garlic-in-oil mixtures. MDARD Getting Started FAQ

Sales limit

$50,000 in gross sales a year, or $75,000 for operations selling products at $250 or more per unit, until Oct. 1, 2026. After that date, the law allows MDARD to adjust the cap annually for inflation. MCL 289.4102
Keep sales records and provide them to an MDARD inspector on request. MDARD Getting Started FAQ
MDARD has not published an inflation-adjusted cap. Ask MDARD for the current limit before relying on $50,000 or $75,000.

Where and how you can sell

Direct to consumers at farmers markets, farm stands, roadside stands and similar venues. MDARD Selling and Samples page
Online, mail and delivery apps: allowed if the operator gives the consumer a chance to interact directly with the operation before the sale. MCL 289.4102; MDARD Selling and Samples page
Shipping: products may only be sold or delivered within Michigan. MCL 289.4102; MDARD Selling and Samples page
Wholesale: sales to wholesalers, brokers, distributors, restaurants and grocery stores, and consignment, are not allowed. MCL 289.4102; MDARD Selling and Samples page

Labeling rules

Products must be prepackaged with the operation's name and address, or its name, phone number and MSU Product Center registration number; the product name; ingredients by weight; net weight or volume; allergens; and nutrition information if a claim is made. MCL 289.4102
The label must say "Made in a home kitchen that has not been inspected by the Michigan department of agriculture and rural development." in at least 11-point type. MCL 289.4102

Kitchen rules

Products must be made and stored in the primary residence. Second homes, outbuildings, motor homes and rented kitchens are not allowed. MDARD Getting Started FAQ
Registration with the MSU Product Center is optional and lets you use a registration number instead of a street address. The law caps the one-time fee at $50. MCL 289.4102

Zoning, HOAs and local rules

The exemption covers only MDARD licensing and routine inspection. Contact your local unit of government about local rules. MCL 289.4102; MDARD Getting Started FAQ
Check your HOA documents, since MDARD does not review private covenants.

Inspections

There are no routine inspections, but MDARD regulates cottage food and may request sales records. MDARD Getting Started FAQ

When you need a license instead

Foods that need refrigeration, sales above the cap, wholesale and out-of-state sales require an MDARD food establishment license. A rented commercial kitchen also requires a license. MDARD Getting Started FAQ

Timeline

July 12, 2010: Michigan's Cottage Food Law took effect (2010 PA 112). MCL 289.4102
Oct. 1, 2012: 2012 PA 178 amended the law. MCL 289.4102
March 24, 2026: 2025 PA 51 amended the law. The current text includes the $50,000 and $75,000 caps and in-state internet, mail and delivery sales. MCL 289.4102
Oct. 1, 2026: MDARD may begin adjusting the cap each year for inflation. No adjusted figure had been published as of Oct. 13, 2026. MCL 289.4102
Oct. 13, 2026: this page was last reviewed against Michigan law.

Frequently asked questions

Do I need a license to sell cottage food in Michigan?

No. Cottage food operations are exempt from MDARD licensing. Source: MCL 289.4102.

What is the Michigan cottage food sales cap?

$50,000 in gross sales, or $75,000 for products priced at $250 or more per unit, with inflation adjustments allowed after Oct. 1, 2026. Source: MCL 289.4102.

Can I sell cottage food online in Michigan?

Yes, within Michigan, if the buyer can interact directly with you before the sale. Source: MCL 289.4102.

Can I ship cottage food to other states?

No. Products may only be sold or delivered within Michigan. Source: MCL 289.4102.

Can I sell to a coffee shop or grocery store?

No. Sales to retailers, restaurants and wholesalers are not allowed. Source: MDARD Selling and Samples page.

Can I sell pickles or salsa?

No. Canned, acidified and pickled foods are not allowed. Source: MDARD Getting Started FAQ.

What must my Michigan label say?

Your name and address or registration number, product name, ingredients, net weight, allergens and the 11-point home kitchen statement. Source: MCL 289.4102.

Can I bake in a rented kitchen?

No. Cottage food must be made in your primary residence. Source: MDARD Getting Started FAQ.

Do I need local approval?

Possibly. Local regulations still apply. Source: MDARD Getting Started FAQ.

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 Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development, or with an attorney, before you start selling.

Michigan Cottage Food Laws