Utah Cottage Food Laws

Utah has two paths for selling food made at home. The cottage food program, Utah Code 4-5-501, requires registration and an inspection by the Utah Department of Agriculture and Food, or UDAF, and a food handler permit. Registered cottage food may be sold within Utah directly to consumers or to stores for resale. The Home Consumption and Homemade Food Act, Utah Code 4-5a, exempts homemade food sold directly to an informed final consumer within Utah from state and local licensing, inspection and most labeling, but bars sales to restaurants and stores. Neither law sets a sales cap. This guide covers both paths, what you can sell, how you can sell 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 Utah Department of Agriculture and Food, or with an attorney, before you start selling.

Quick facts

• Cottage food: register with UDAF before operating and hold a valid food handler's permit. Utah Code 4-5-501(4)
• Cottage food: UDAF says products may only be sold within Utah, directly to consumers or to stores for resale. UDAF Cottage Food Production
• Homemade Food Act: no state, county or city licensing, permitting, inspection or packaging rules, if food is produced and sold within Utah directly to an informed final consumer. A business license is still required. Utah Code 4-5a-104(1), (2)
• Homemade Food Act food may not be sold to or used by a restaurant or commercial establishment. Utah Code 4-5a-104(5)
• Neither law sets a sales cap. Utah Code 4-5-501; Utah Code 4-5a-104

What the law calls it

• Cottage food program: "cottage food operation," "cottage food product" and "home kitchen." Utah Code 4-5-501(1)
• Homemade Food Act: "homemade food product," "producer," "informed final consumer," "designated representative" and "direct-to-sale location." Utah Code 4-5a-102

Foods you can sell

• Cottage food: nonpotentially hazardous baked goods, jams, jellies and other nonpotentially hazardous foods. UDAF's list includes shelf-stable baked goods; cereals, trail mixes and granola; dried fruits; dry herbs and seasoning mixes; hard, freeze-dried and cotton candies; jams, jellies and preserves made with fruits in 21 CFR 150; nuts and nut brittles; popcorn; raw and creamed honey; roasted coffee beans; vanilla extract; and vinegar. Utah Code 4-5-501(1)(b); UDAF Cottage Food Production
• Homemade Food Act: any homemade food or nonalcoholic drink prepared in a private home kitchen, except the items listed below. Utah Code 4-5a-102(6); Utah Code 4-5a-105(1)

Foods you cannot sell

• Cottage food: foods of animal origin, raw seed sprouts and foods that need time or temperature control. UDAF lists refrigerated or frozen food, meat or poultry, cheesecakes and custards, fruit butter, sugar-free jams and other canned or high-risk foods. Utah Code 4-5-501(1)(d); UDAF Cottage Food Production
• Homemade Food Act: raw dairy and meat products, except poultry under the USDA 1,000-bird exemption and domesticated rabbit meat pending USDA approval. Utah Code 4-5a-105(1)

Sales limit

• Neither law sets a dollar limit. Utah Code 4-5-501; Utah Code 4-5a-104

Registration and fees

• Cottage food: register with UDAF and pay its fees. UDAF says you submit an application with all recipes, receive an invoice and get a Certificate of Registration by mail. Registration fees are nonrefundable. UDAF's page does not list the fee amount. Utah Code 4-5-501(4), (5); UDAF Cottage Food Production
• Cottage food: you must hold a valid food handler's permit. Utah Code 4-5-501(4)(b)
• Homemade Food Act: no state license or registration, but you must follow business license rules under Utah Code 10-1-203. Utah Code 4-5a-104(2)

Where and how you can sell

• Cottage food: directly to consumers or to stores for resale, within Utah. UDAF's page does not address online sales or mail. Ask UDAF. UDAF Cottage Food Production
• Cottage food: a food service establishment may not use a cottage food product as an ingredient in food it serves to the public. Utah Code 4-5-501(7)
• Homemade Food Act: at a direct-to-sale location, meaning a farm, ranch, direct-to-sale farmers market, home, office or any location the producer and buyer agree on. A designated representative may sell and deliver for you. Utah Code 4-5a-102(2), (4); Utah Code 4-5a-104(4)
• Homemade Food Act online: the act does not mention online sales. Food must be produced and sold within Utah. Utah Code 4-5a-104(1)(b)
• Shipping to other states: not allowed under either path. UDAF says cottage food may only be sold within Utah, and the Homemade Food Act exemption applies only to food produced and sold within the state. UDAF Cottage Food Production; Utah Code 4-5a-104(1)(b)
• Wholesale: cottage food may be sold to stores for resale. Homemade Food Act food may not be sold to restaurants or commercial establishments, except raw, unprocessed fruits and vegetables. UDAF Cottage Food Production; Utah Code 4-5a-104(5)

Labeling rules

• Cottage food: label with the name of the food, a complete ingredient list, net quantity, allergens, the business name and contact information and "Home Produced." UDAF Cottage Food Production
• Homemade Food Act: label with your name and address; a statement that the product is not for resale and is processed and prepared without state or local inspection; and whether the food contains or was made near milk, soy, wheat, eggs, peanuts, tree nuts, fish or shellfish. You must also tell buyers the food is not certified, licensed, regulated or inspected. Utah Code 4-5a-104(3), (6)

Zoning, HOAs and local rules

• Local health departments do not regulate production at a compliant cottage food operation, unless food is eaten on the premises, but may investigate foodborne illness. Check city or county zoning. Utah Code 4-5-501(6)
• Check your HOA documents, since the state does not review private covenants.

Inspections

• Cottage food: UDAF approves operators through an inspection and registration process. Rules may not require a separate kitchen, commercial surfaces or commercial-grade sinks, dishwashers or ovens. UDAF Cottage Food Production; Utah Code 4-5-501(3)
• Homemade Food Act: exempt from inspection, though a producer may ask for one. Utah Code 4-5a-104(1); Utah Code 4-5a-105(2)

When you need a license instead

• Foods that need refrigeration under the cottage food program, out-of-state sales and restaurant or commercial sales of Homemade Food Act products require a UDAF food establishment registration. UDAF Cottage Food Production; Utah Code 4-5a-104(5)

Timeline

• May 8, 2018: the Home Consumption and Homemade Food Act took effect (2018 ch. 377). Utah Code 4-5a-105
• May 3, 2023: the current version of Utah Code 4-5-501 took effect (2023 ch. 327). Utah Code 4-5-501
• May 6, 2026: amendments to the Homemade Food Act took effect (2026 ch. 433). Utah Code 4-5a-104
• Oct. 13, 2026: this page was last reviewed against the Utah Code.

Frequently asked questions

Do I need a license to sell homemade food in Utah?

It depends on the path. Cottage food needs UDAF registration. Homemade Food Act sales to informed final consumers need no food license, only a business license. Sources: Utah Code 4-5-501(4); Utah Code 4-5a-104(1), (2).

Is there a cottage food sales cap in Utah?

No. Neither law sets a dollar limit. Sources: Utah Code 4-5-501; Utah Code 4-5a-104.

Can I sell cottage food to stores in Utah?

Yes, if registered. UDAF says cottage food may be sold to stores for resale. Source: UDAF Cottage Food Production.

Can I sell Homemade Food Act products to restaurants in Utah?

No, except raw, unprocessed fruits and vegetables. Source: Utah Code 4-5a-104(5).

Can I ship homemade food out of Utah?

No. Cottage food may only be sold within Utah, and the Homemade Food Act applies only to food produced and sold within the state. Sources: UDAF Cottage Food Production; Utah Code 4-5a-104(1)(b).

Can I sell homemade food online in Utah?

Neither law nor UDAF's page addresses online sales. Sales must be within Utah. Ask UDAF. Sources: UDAF Cottage Food Production; Utah Code 4-5a-104(1)(b).

Do I need a food handler permit in Utah?

Yes, for cottage food registration. Source: Utah Code 4-5-501(4)(b).

Can I sell cheesecake in Utah?

Not as cottage food. UDAF lists cheesecakes as not allowed. The Homemade Food Act does not bar it but limits where it can be sold. Sources: UDAF Cottage Food Production; Utah Code 4-5a-105(1).

What must a Utah cottage food label say?

The food name, ingredients, net quantity, allergens, business contact information and "Home Produced." Source: UDAF Cottage Food Production.

Can I sell homemade meat products in Utah?

No, except poultry under the 1,000-bird exemption and domesticated rabbit pending USDA approval. Source: Utah Code 4-5a-105(1).

Official sources

• Utah Code 4-5-501: Cottage food operations
• Utah Code Title 4, Chapter 5a: Home Consumption and Homemade Food Act
• Utah Department of Agriculture and Food: Cottage Food Production

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