Coral Gables, FL Home Business: Cottage Food Operations (2026)
Key Facts
- State Law
- F.S. 500.80
- Annual Sales Limit
- $250,000
- License Required
- No (under sales threshold)
- Sales Methods
- Direct, online, mail, events
- Wholesale
- Prohibited
Summary
Coral Gables cottage food operations are governed by Florida Statutes Section 500.80, which exempts small-scale home food producers from state licensing if annual gross sales do not exceed $250,000. Local zoning compliance is required, and operations must not create traffic, noise, or nuisance impacts.
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.”
Full Breakdown
80, which exempts cottage food operators from state licensing and inspection requirements. Operators may prepare non-potentially hazardous foods in their home kitchen and sell directly to consumers, at events, online, or by mail order, provided annual gross sales do not exceed $250,000. Products must be packaged and labeled with the operator's name and address, the product name, ingredients, allergen information, and the statement that the product was made in a home kitchen not inspected by a government agency. While state law is permissive, Coral Gables zoning regulations require that home-based activities not create adverse impacts such as increased traffic, parking congestion, noise, or odors beyond what is normal for a residential neighborhood.
Cottage food operators may not conduct wholesale sales. Florida law prohibits local governments from requiring cottage food operators to obtain local business licenses specifically for cottage food activities, but general home occupation zoning standards still apply.
Violations & Fines
Cottage food operations exceeding the $250,000 annual sales threshold require FDACS licensing. Operations creating traffic, parking, or nuisance impacts in residential areas are subject to Code Enforcement at (305) 460-5216 for zoning violations.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a license to sell homemade food in Coral Gables?
Can I sell cottage food online from Coral Gables?
Do Coral Gables zoning rules affect cottage food operations?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Coral Gables
Florida rules heatmap·Compare Coral Gables to another location·View the Florida home business overview
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