Cottage Food Operations: Lakewood vs Tacoma
How do cottage food operations rules compare between Lakewood, WA and Tacoma, WA?
Lakewood and Tacoma have similar restriction levels.
Lakewood, WA
Pierce County
Selling homemade non-hazardous foods from a Pierce County home requires a Washington Cottage Food Operation permit from the state Department of Agriculture (WSDA) under RCW 69.22 and Chapter 16-149 WAC, with a $35,000 annual gross sales cap.
View full Lakewood rules →Tacoma, WA
Pierce County
Selling homemade non-hazardous foods from a Pierce County home requires a Washington Cottage Food Operation permit from the state Department of Agriculture (WSDA) under RCW 69.22 and Chapter 16-149 WAC, with a $35,000 annual gross sales cap.
View full Tacoma rules →Key Facts Comparison
| Fact | Lakewood | Tacoma |
|---|---|---|
| Permit issuer | Washington WSDA | Washington WSDA |
| Legal basis | RCW 69.22 / WAC 16-149 | RCW 69.22 / WAC 16-149 |
| Sales cap | $35,000 per year | $35,000 per year |
| Also required | Valid food worker card | Valid food worker card |
Highlighted rows indicate differences between cities.
Lakewood FAQ
Do I need a permit to sell homemade baked goods in Pierce County?
Yes. Washington requires a WSDA Cottage Food Operation permit under RCW 69.22 and Chapter 16-149 WAC, including a recipe/label review, a home-kitchen inspection, and a food worker card.
How much can a cottage food business sell?
Up to $35,000 in gross sales per calendar year under WAC 16-149-040. Above that, the operator must stop or obtain a food processing plant license.
Tacoma FAQ
Do I need a permit to sell homemade baked goods in Pierce County?
Yes. Washington requires a WSDA Cottage Food Operation permit under RCW 69.22 and Chapter 16-149 WAC, including a recipe/label review, a home-kitchen inspection, and a food worker card.
How much can a cottage food business sell?
Up to $35,000 in gross sales per calendar year under WAC 16-149-040. Above that, the operator must stop or obtain a food processing plant license.
Compare other topics
See how Lakewood and Tacoma compare on other ordinance categories.
Want to add a third city?
Use our full comparison tool to compare up to three cities.
Open Comparison Tool