New York allows cottage food sales under NY Agriculture & Markets Law and the 20-C Home Processor Exemption. Bronx residents can sell low-risk shelf-stable baked goods and similar items from home after registering with NY State Ag & Markets, but NYC zoning also limits where and how products can be sold.
The 20-C Home Processor Exemption permits production of non-potentially hazardous foods such as baked goods, jams, jellies, candies, and certain snacks from a home kitchen. Producers must apply to NY Ag & Markets (free), pass an inspection, and label products with name, address, and ingredients. Sales may be direct to consumer (farmers markets, in-person, online with delivery), but no wholesale to retail stores. NYC adds layers: the home kitchen must not change its residential C of O, no exterior signage, no customer traffic that violates ZR 12-10. DCWP may require a general vendor license for public sales. Potentially hazardous foods (meat, dairy, refrigerated items) require a licensed commercial kitchen.
Selling without 20-C registration: Ag & Markets penalties up to $1,000 per violation. Operating a commercial kitchen without DOB approval triggers DOB illegal-use fines $800+.
See how Bronx County's cottage food operations rules stack up against other locations.
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