Cottage Food Operations: Des Plaines vs Schaumburg
How do cottage food operations rules compare between Des Plaines, IL and Schaumburg, IL?
Des Plaines and Schaumburg have similar restriction levels.
Des Plaines, IL
Cook County
Illinois's Cottage Food and Home Kitchen Operations Act allows Des Plaines residents to sell certain homemade shelf-stable foods directly to consumers without a commercial kitchen. Cottage food annual gross sales are capped at $75,000 with required labeling. Cook County Department of Public Health registration is required, and Des Plaines home occupation rules still apply to signage and traffic.
View full Des Plaines rules →Schaumburg, IL
Cook County
Illinois's Cottage Food and Home Kitchen Operations Act (Public Act 100-0580, amended by PA 103-0154) allows Schaumburg residents to sell certain homemade food products directly to consumers without a commercial kitchen. Annual gross sales are capped at $75,000 for cottage food operations. Products must be non-potentially-hazardous baked goods, jams, candies, and similar shelf-stable items. Labeling requirements apply.
View full Schaumburg rules →Key Facts Comparison
| Fact | Des Plaines | Schaumburg |
|---|---|---|
| Revenue Cap | $75,000/year | $75,000/year (cottage food) |
| Home Kitchen Cap | $50,000/year | $50,000/year |
| Registration | Cook County Health | - |
| Labeling | Required on all products | Required on all products |
| Sales | Direct to consumer | - |
| Inspection | - | Not required for cottage food |
| Sales Method | - | Direct to consumer only |
Highlighted rows indicate differences between cities.
Des Plaines FAQ
Can I sell homemade food from my Des Plaines home?
Yes. Illinois's Cottage Food Act allows direct sale of approved shelf-stable foods up to $75,000 annual gross sales. Required labeling and Cook County Health registration apply.
What foods can I sell under cottage food rules?
Shelf-stable baked goods without cream fillings, jams, jellies, candy, dried herbs, roasted coffee, popcorn, and granola. Potentially hazardous foods require a Home Kitchen Operation license.
Can customers pick up food at my home?
Technically allowed by state law, but Des Plaines's home occupation traffic rules make farmers market sales or delivery the safer compliance route.
Schaumburg FAQ
Can I sell homemade food from my home in Schaumburg?
Yes. Illinois's Cottage Food and Home Kitchen Operations Act allows residents to sell approved shelf-stable foods directly to consumers with annual gross sales up to $75,000 without a commercial kitchen. Required labeling must be on all products.
What foods can I sell under the cottage food law?
Non-potentially-hazardous items including baked goods without cream fillings, jams, jellies, candy, dried herbs, roasted coffee, popcorn, and granola. Potentially hazardous foods like those requiring refrigeration need a home kitchen operation license with additional requirements.
Do I need a health department inspection?
No. Cottage food operations are exempt from health department kitchen inspections. However, you must follow labeling requirements and sell only approved product types. Home kitchen operations allowing hazardous foods require a food service sanitation manager certificate.
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