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Lima, OH Home Business: Cottage Food Operations (2026)

Few Restrictions
Compiled from the official code textEditor Martyn O'NeillLast verified September 2026

Key Facts

Food license
Not required for listed cottage foods
Regulator
Ohio Department of Agriculture
Required label
'This product is home produced' (10-pt)
Allowed foods
Jams, candy, dry mixes, non-hazardous baked goods
Out-of-state sales
Prohibited
Rules
O.A.C. 901:3-20; O.R.C. 3715.01/.023

Summary

Ohio's Cottage Food Law lets Lima residents make and sell certain lower-risk foods from home without a food license, under the Ohio Department of Agriculture. Only foods on ODA's list qualify (jams, candy, dry mixes, non-potentially-hazardous baked goods), products must be labeled 'This product is home produced,' and out-of-state sales

The following statement, in 10-point type: This product is home produced.

View official code

Full Breakdown

There is no separate Lima cottage-food ordinance; the activity is governed by Ohio's Cottage Food Law, administered by the Ohio Department of Agriculture (ODA). A cottage food producer may make and sell designated cottage foods from home with no food license, but is subject to O.A.C. 901:3-20 rules on labeling, packaging, sales, and sampling. Only foods on ODA's list qualify, jams, jellies, fruit butters, candy, granola, popped popcorn, dry baking/cookie/soup/tea/seasoning mixes, roasted coffee, and 'non-potentially hazardous' baked goods (cookies, brownies, cakes, breads, fruit pies), while acidified, low-acid canned, and potentially hazardous foods (cheesecake, cream pie, salsa, refrigerated items) are excluded. Labels must include a statement of identity, producer name and address, net weight (U.S.

Violations & Fines

Selling a food not on the cottage-food list without the proper food license, mislabeling, using reduced-oxygen packaging, or selling out of state violates Ohio law; ODA may sample products and pursue misbranding or adulteration remedies under O.R.C. 3715.02(B).

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I sell home-baked goods from my house in Lima?
Yes, if they are on Ohio's cottage-food list (like cookies, breads, cakes, fruit pies, jams, and candy). No food license is needed, but products must be properly labeled and cannot be sold out of state. Potentially hazardous items need a
What must be on a cottage food label in Ohio?
The product's common name, your name and address, net weight (U.S. then metric), ingredients in descending order, allergens, and the statement 'This product is home produced' in 10-point type, per O.R.C. 3715.023 and O.A.C. 901:3-20-02.

Sources & Official References

Other rules in Lima

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All Lima rules

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