Anchorage, AK Home Business: Cottage Food Operations (2026)
Key Facts
- Effective date
- Nov. 4, 2025 (AO 2025-114)
- Enforcing agency
- Anchorage Health Department
- Fine range
- $100 to $1,000 per day violated
- Allowed venues
- farmers market, fair, home, roadside stand
- Labeling required
- name, address, phone, disclosure statement
- Excluded ingredients
- meat/poultry/seafood unless federally compliant
Summary
Anchorage repealed its cottage food license in 2025. Under AMC 16.60.105, a home cook can sell non-potentially-hazardous or potentially-hazardous homemade food directly to consumers at farmers' markets, fairs, roadside stands, or their own home without a municipal food establishment permit, provided labeling and ingredient rules are met.
Notwithstanding any provision of this chapter to the contrary, a person may prepare and sell homemade food without a municipal food establishment permit if the food and the vendor meet all of the following criteria: 1. The food is either: a. Non-potentially hazardous and does not require time or temperature control for safety (non-TCS) sold by the producer, producer's agent, or a third-party vendor directly to the consumer only; or b. Potentially hazardous homemade food (or homemade TCS food) that is sold directly by the producer to the consumer only... 4. The food is sold directly to the consumer at: a. A farmers' market; b. An agricultural fair or bazaar; c. The producer's home, farm, or ranch; d. A roadside stand or similar temporary location; or e. Another venue consistent with AS 17.20.332; 5. The food is clearly and prominently labeled with: ... b. A statement that reads: "This food was made in a home kitchen; is not regulated or inspected, except for meat and meat products; and may contain allergens."
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: rev 5010260; v11 updated 2026-09-01).
Full Breakdown
105. 332 prohibits, unless it complies with federal meat-handling law. 332. " Unpackaged food sold at the point of sale requires the same disclosure be posted or given verbally. The Anchorage Health Department will not proactively inspect a private residence operating under the exemption, but it retains authority to inspect or investigate on a credible complaint of foodborne illness, mislabeling, or unsafe practices, and refers suspected foodborne illness reports to the Alaska Department of Environmental Conservation. The exemption never covers marijuana, marijuana products, alcohol, or controlled substances mixed into homemade food.
Violations & Fines
A homemade food seller who falls outside the exemption, for example by selling through an unauthorized venue or skipping the required disclosure label, is operating as an unpermitted food establishment under Chapter 16.60. AMC 16.60.350 makes that a civil violation punishable by a fine of $100 to $1,000, with each day of continued violation a separate offense, plus possible injunctive relief and a Health Department notice of closure; appeals go to the administrative hearing officer within 15 days under AMC 16.60.360.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a permit to sell homemade cookies at an Anchorage farmers' market?
Can I sell homemade meat products under Anchorage's homemade food exemption?
Will a health inspector come to my house if I sell homemade food in Anchorage?
What happened to Anchorage's old cottage food license?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Anchorage
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