Clearwater, FL Home Business: Cottage Food Operations (2026)
Key Facts
- Authority
- F.S. 500.80
- Annual sales cap
- $250,000
- Wholesale
- Prohibited
- Label required
- Cottage food disclosure
- Local rule
- CDC Section 3-920 still applies
Summary
Florida Statute 500.80 preempts local regulation of cottage food operations, allowing Clearwater residents to make and sell certain non-potentially hazardous foods from home up to $250,000 in annual sales.
500.80  Cottage food operations. — (1)(a)  A cottage food operation must comply with the applicable requirements of this chapter but is exempt from the permitting requirements of s. 500.12 if the cottage food operation complies with this section and has annual gross sales of cottage food products that do not exceed $250,000. (b)  For purposes of this subsection, a cottage food operation’s annual gross sales include all sales of cottage food products at any location, regardless of the types of products sold or the number of persons involved in the operation. A cottage food operation must provide the department, upon request, with written documentation to verify the operation’s annual gross sales. (2)  A cottage food operation may sell, offer for sale, and accept payment for cottage food products over the Internet or by mail order. Such products may be delivered in person directly to the consumer, to a specific event venue, or by United States Postal Service or commercial mail delivery service. A cottage food operation may not sell, offer for sale, or deliver cottage food products at wholesale. (3)  A cottage food operation may only sell cottage food products which are prepackaged with a label affixed that contains the following information: (a)  The name and address of the cottage food operation. (b)  The name of the cottage food product. (c)  The ingredients of the cottage food product, in descending order of predominance by weight. (d)  The net weight or net volume of the cottage food product. (e)  Allergen information as specified by federal labeling requirements. (f)  If any nutritional claim is made, appropriate nutritional information as specified by federal labeling requirements. (g)  The following statement printed in at least 10-point type in a color that provides a clear contrast to the background of the label: “Made in a cottage food operation that is not subject to Florida’s food safety regulations.” (4)  A cottage food operation may only sell cottage food products that it stores on the premises of the cottage food operation. (5)  This section does not exempt a cottage food operation from any state or federal tax law, rule, regulation, or certificate that applies to all cottage food operations. (6)  The regulation of cottage food operations is preempted to the state. A local law, ordinance, or regulation may not prohibit a cottage food operation or regulate the preparation, processing, storage, or sale of cottage food products by a cottage food operation; however, a cottage food operation must comply with the conditions for the operation of a home-based business under s. 559.955 .
Full Breakdown
Cottage food in Clearwater is governed primarily by Florida Statute 500.80, which preempts cities and counties from prohibiting or separately regulating the preparation, processing, storage, or sale of cottage food products by residents. Operators may sell shelf-stable products such as baked goods, jams, and dry mixes directly to consumers in person, by mail, or online up to a $250,000 annual gross-sales cap. Each package must carry a label disclosing the maker's name and address and the statement that the product is made in a cottage food operation not subject to Florida's food safety regulations. Operators must still comply with Clearwater's Section 3-920 home occupation standards and the home-based business framework in Florida Statute 559.955.
Violations & Fines
Selling cottage food without compliant labeling, exceeding the annual sales cap, or violating Clearwater's home occupation standards can trigger Florida Department of Agriculture enforcement and city code compliance action with daily civil penalties.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a Clearwater permit to sell cottage food?
Can I sell cottage food online from my Clearwater home?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Clearwater
Florida rules heatmap·Compare Clearwater to another location·View the Florida home business overview
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Cottage Food Operations in Nearby Cities
How other cities in Pinellas County handle cottage food operations.