Cottage Food Operations: Cape Coral vs Fort Myers

Do I need a permit to sell baked goods from my Lee County home?

No. Under FS 500.80 a compliant cottage food operation needs no state license or county permit as long as annual gross sales stay at or below $250,000.

What can cottage food operations sell?

Only non-time/temperature-control foods such as baked goods, jams, honey, and dry mixes, properly labeled. Perishable items requiring refrigeration are not allowed under the cottage food exemption.

Can I sell home-baked goods from my Fort Myers home?

Yes. Florida Statute 500.80 allows cottage food operations to sell up to $250,000 per year in non-potentially hazardous, shelf-stable foods (breads, jams, jellies, honey, candies, dried herbs) directly to consumers. No state license or inspection is required, and FS 500.80 expressly preempts any Fort Myers ordinance that would prohibit or regulate the preparation, storage, or sale of cottage food products. Each item must bear the required label with the producer's name, address, ingredients, and the cottage food disclaimer.

Can Fort Myers require a permit for my cottage food business?

No. FS 500.80 expressly preempts local regulation: 'a local law, ordinance, or regulation may not prohibit a cottage food operation or regulate the preparation, processing, storage, or sale of cottage food products.' Fort Myers can apply general home-business standards (signage, parking, noise) at residential levels under FS 559.955, but cannot require a cottage-food-specific permit, license, or health inspection.