Lakeville, MN Home Business: Cottage Food Operations (2026)

Cottage food in Lakeville is controlled by Minnesota state law rather than a Lakeville-specific ordinance. Under Minnesota Statutes Section 28A.152 (the Cottage Foods Exemption), an individual, sole proprietorship, or qualifying single/two-member LLC may make and sell certain non-potentially-hazardous foods and home-canned products (with an equilibrium pH of 4.6 or lower or water activity of 0.85 or less) without a food license. Producers must register annually with the commissioner of the Minnesota Department of Agriculture, pay an annual registration fee, and complete an approved safe food-handling training course (up to eight hours, repeated every three years). Total gross receipts are capped at $78,000 or less in a calendar year, adjusted periodically for inflation. Products must be labeled with the preparer's name and registration number or address, the date prepared, the ingredients and any allergens, and the statement 'These products are homemade and not subject to state inspection.' Sales are permitted directly to the ultimate consumer at a community event or farmers' market, directly from the person's home to the ultimate consumer 'to the extent allowed by local ordinance,' or through donation to a fundraising community event. The phrase 'to the extent allowed by local ordinance' means Lakeville's zoning rules still apply to home-based sales: if cottage food sales rise to the level of a home occupation, the resident must comply with Chapter 32's home occupation standards (no nonresident employees, no over-the-counter retail of off-premises merchandise, limited customer traffic, and the administrative permit). Residents should confirm with Lakeville Community Development how their specific operation is treated.