Anne Arundel County, MD Home Business: Cottage Food Operations (2026)

Under Maryland Health-General §21-330.1 and COMAR 10.15.04, a cottage food business may produce non-potentially-hazardous foods — baked goods without cream fillings, jams and jellies made from high-acid fruit, hard candy, dried herbs, granola, roasted coffee, and similar shelf-stable items — in a private home kitchen without a food service license. Annual gross sales are capped at $50,000. Products must be labeled with the business name and address, product name, net weight, ingredients in descending order with allergens, and the disclaimer 'Made by a cottage food business that is not subject to Maryland's food safety regulations.' Sales are limited to direct-to-consumer venues: the producer's home, farmers markets (including Annapolis, Severna Park, and Anne Arundel County Farmers Markets in Riva), public events, online with in-state pickup or delivery, and direct retail in-state. Anne Arundel County does not add a local cottage food license but does require compliance with zoning Article 18 home-occupation rules (see below) and, for well water homes, annual potability testing by the Department of Health before cottage sales.