Virginia exempts private homes that make certain shelf-stable foods from the state food permit and inspection rules. The law does not use the term "cottage food."

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License or permit

No state food permit, registration or inspection fee for the exempt foods. VDACS may inspect after a consumer complaint.

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Sales cap

No cap for baked goods, candy, jams and the other listed foods. Pickles and other acidified vegetables are capped at $9,000 in gross sales a year, and honey at under 250 gallons.

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What you cannot sell

Foods that need time or temperature control after preparation, such as cheesecake, cream pies, custards, meringues, and breads or cakes filled or topped with cream cheese, whipped cream, custard, mousse, fruit curd or fresh fruit, plus meat products and low-acid or acidified low-acid candies, jams and jellies (VDACS lists apple butter, fig jam and pepper jelly as examples that may not qualify).

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How you can sell

In person, online or by phone, delivered in person, by mail or by delivery service, but only to an individual in Virginia for his or her own use. No resale, consignment or sales for use in restaurants and other retail food establishments.

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Labels

The maker's name, physical address or post office box and phone number, the date the food was processed and the statement "NOT FOR RESALE — PROCESSED AND PREPARED WITHOUT STATE INSPECTION" on the principal display panel (or on a sign if the package is too small).

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Read the full Virginia cottage food law guide and FAQs

Virginia cottage food makers

Counties and cities with listings

Northern Virginia (63 listings)

Alexandria City

Arlington County

Fairfax County

Fairfax City

Falls Church City

Fauquier County

Loudoun County

Manassas Park City

Prince William County

Fredericksburg, Northern Neck and Middle Peninsula (23 listings)

Caroline County

Fredericksburg City

King William County

Spotsylvania County

Stafford County

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Shenandoah Valley (34 listings)

Augusta County

Buena Vista City

Clarke County

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Harrisonburg City

Lexington City

Page County

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Staunton City

Warren County

Waynesboro City

Winchester City

Central Virginia (40 listings)

Albemarle County

Amherst County

Appomattox County

Bedford County

Buckingham County

Campbell County

Charlottesville City

Culpeper County

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Greene County

Louisa County

Lynchburg City

Madison County

Nelson County

Orange County

Richmond and Tri-Cities (53 listings)

Chesterfield County

Dinwiddie County

Goochland County

Hanover County

Henrico County

New Kent County

Powhatan County

Prince George County

Richmond City

Hampton Roads and Eastern Shore (56 listings)

Chesapeake City

Franklin City

Hampton City

Isle of Wight County

Newport News City

Norfolk City

Northampton County

Poquoson City

Portsmouth City

Southampton County

Suffolk City

Virginia Beach City

Williamsburg City

York County

Southside Virginia (7 listings)

Halifax County

Patrick County

Pittsylvania County

Prince Edward County