Williamson County, TX Home Business: Cottage Food Operations (2026)
Key Facts
- Permit
- Not required
- Health inspection
- None
- Annual sales cap
- $150,000
- Label
- Required, with home disclaimer
- Sales channel
- Direct to consumer
Summary
Texas cottage food law lets you sell approved home-produced foods from a Williamson County home with no permit, license, or health inspection. Annual food sales are capped at $150,000, and local health departments cannot require a permit or fee.
"Cottage food production operation" means an individual, operating out of the individual's home, who: (A) produces at the individual's home
Full Breakdown
Texas Health and Safety Code Chapter 437 defines a cottage food production operation as an individual making approved foods at home, expanded by SB 572 (2019) and again by SB 541 (2025). Permitted items include baked goods, candy, jams, dried herbs, and other non-time/temperature-control foods, sold directly to consumers or cottage food vendors. No health permit or inspection is required, and no local government may impose a license or fee. Each package must carry the producer's name, an ingredient list, allergen disclosure, the production date, and a statement that the food was made in a home not subject to inspection.
Violations & Fines
Selling unapproved time/temperature-control foods, exceeding $150,000 in annual sales, or omitting the required label and disclaimer removes cottage food protection and subjects the seller to full retail-food permitting and enforcement.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a permit to sell baked goods from home?
What can I sell under cottage food law?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Williamson County
Texas rules heatmap·Compare Williamson County to another location·View the Texas home business overview
See something wrong?
Help us keep this page accurate. If you notice an error or outdated information, let us know.