Dorchester County, SC Home Business: Cottage Food Operations (2026)
Key Facts
- Governing law
- S.C. Code § 44-1-143
- SCDHEC permit
- Not required
- Revenue cap
- None (since 2022)
- Foods
- Non-hazardous, shelf-stable
- Label
- Statutory disclaimer required
Summary
South Carolina lets you sell non-hazardous homemade foods from a Dorchester County kitchen with no SCDHEC permit, no inspection, and no revenue cap. Products carry a required label, and sales go directly to the consumer.
PROCESSED AND PREPARED BY A HOME-BASED FOOD PRODUCTION OPERATION THAT IS NOT SUBJECT TO SOUTH CAROLINA'S FOOD SAFETY REGULATIONS.
Full Breakdown
Cottage food in Dorchester County is governed by state law, not the county. Under S.C. Code Section 44-1-143, a home-based food production operation may prepare non-potentially-hazardous, shelf-stable foods, such as baked goods, candies, jams, and dried mixes, in a home kitchen with no SCDHEC permit or inspection, and the 2022 amendments removed the old revenue cap. Every product must be labeled and carry the statutory disclaimer stating it was made in an operation not subject to South Carolina's food safety regulations. Sales are direct to the consumer, including online and by mail order. Refrigerated or otherwise hazardous foods fall outside the exemption and require full SCDHEC permitting. Operators still hold a county business license.
Violations & Fines
Selling potentially hazardous foods that need refrigeration, or skipping the required label, falls outside the Section 44-1-143 exemption and pulls the operation under full SCDHEC retail food permitting, with stop-sale orders possible.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a permit to sell homemade baked goods?
What has to go on the label?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Dorchester County
Compare Dorchester County to another location·View the South Carolina home business overview
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