Franklin County, OH Home Business: Cottage Food Operations (2026)
Key Facts
- State Law
- ORC 3715.024
- License
- None required
- Allowed
- Shelf-stable baked goods, jams
- Prohibited
- Meat, cream, refrigerated
- Labeling
- Required disclosure
Summary
Ohio Cottage Food Law under ORC 3715.024 allows Franklin County residents to produce and sell non-potentially hazardous foods from home kitchens with no license or inspection, up to any sales volume. Labeling is required. Sales allowed statewide at farmers markets, roadside stands, and online.
Section 3715.024 | Voluntary inspection of processor's or beekeeper's facilities.
(A) A maple syrup or sorghum processor and beekeeper described in division (A) of section 3715.021 of the Revised Code may request that the director of agriculture conduct a voluntary inspection of the processor's or beekeeper's facilities. After the inspection is completed, if the inspector determines that the facilities comply with the rules adopted by the director pursuant to division (B) of this section, the processor or beekeeper may place on the label required under section 3715.023 of the Revised Code a seal of conformity and inspection of the department of agriculture.
(B) The director shall adopt rules in accordance with Chapter 119. of the Revised Code that establish the following:
(1) Standards that maple syrup or sorghum processors and beekeepers must satisfy in order to be permitted to place on the label of their food products a seal of conformity and inspection of the director, as described in division (A) of this section;
(2) The seal of conformity and inspection to be used for purposes described in division (A) of this section.
Full Breakdown
Ohio Revised Code 3715.024 and associated Ohio Department of Agriculture rules create one of the most permissive cottage food programs in the country. Permitted products include baked goods without cream or meat fillings, candy, jams and jellies, granola, dry mixes, popcorn, and similar shelf-stable items. No license, inspection, or registration is required. Labels must include: producer name and address, product name, ingredient list in descending order by weight, net weight, and the phrase This Product is Home Produced. Potentially hazardous items (meats, pickles under a certain pH, anything refrigerated) are not allowed under cottage food and require a licensed commercial kitchen. Columbus Public Health does not duplicate state regulation. Sales channels include farmers markets, fairs, direct-to-consumer online, and pickup at the producer's home; interstate shipping is permitted where the destination state accepts. Home-occupation zoning rules still apply to the production activity itself.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a permit to sell homemade cookies in Franklin County?
Can I sell homemade salsa or canned pickles?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Franklin County
Compare Franklin County to another location·View the Ohio home business overview
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