Cottage Food Operations: St. Clair Shores vs Sterling Heights
How do cottage food operations rules compare between St. Clair Shores, MI and Sterling Heights, MI?
St. Clair Shores and Sterling Heights have similar restriction levels.
St. Clair Shores, MI
Macomb County
Michigan's Cottage Food Law lets residents make and sell certain non-hazardous foods from their home kitchen without a license, up to $50,000 in annual gross sales. The rules are state-set (MDARD), so they apply the same across every Macomb County community.
View full St. Clair Shores rules →Sterling Heights, MI
Macomb County
Sterling Heights permits certain homemade food products to be sold directly to consumers under cottage food laws. Products must be non-potentially hazardous and properly labeled.
View full Sterling Heights rules →Key Facts Comparison
| Fact | St. Clair Shores | Sterling Heights |
|---|---|---|
| Governing law | MI Cottage Food Law (MDARD) | - |
| Definition | MCL 289.1105(1)(j) | - |
| Sales cap | $50,000/yr (MCL 289.4102(5)) | - |
| License | Not required (exempt) | - |
| Required label | Home-kitchen disclaimer, 11-pt | - |
| Allowed | - | Baked goods, jams, candy |
| Revenue Cap | - | Varies by state |
| Labeling | - | Required with allergens |
| Inspection | - | Generally not required |
Highlighted rows indicate differences between cities.
St. Clair Shores FAQ
Can I sell homemade food from my Macomb County home?
Yes. Michigan's Cottage Food Law lets you make and sell non-hazardous foods like baked goods and jams from your home kitchen without a license, up to $50,000 in annual gross sales (MCL 289.4102). MDARD administers the rules statewide.
What must the label say?
The product name, business name/address (or name, phone, registration number), ingredients by weight, net weight, allergens, and the exact 11-point statement: 'Made in a home kitchen that has not been inspected by the Michigan department of agriculture and rural development.'
Is the limit really $25,000?
No longer. As amended effective March 24, 2026, the cap is $50,000 in annual gross sales (or $75,000 for products priced $250+ per unit) until October 1, 2026. Confirm the current figure with MDARD.
Sterling Heights FAQ
Can I sell homemade baked goods from my home?
Yes, under cottage food laws in most areas. Sterling Heights allows certain shelf-stable foods sold directly to consumers with proper labeling.
Do I need a commercial kitchen?
No, cottage food laws allow production in your home kitchen without commercial inspection, within revenue limits.
Compare other topics
See how St. Clair Shores and Sterling Heights 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