New York State allows home processing of certain non-potentially hazardous foods under Article 20-C of the Agriculture and Markets Law. NYC residents may sell homemade baked goods, jams, and candies at farmers markets and directly to consumers without a commercial kitchen. Annual sales are capped at $75,000 (increased from $50,000 in 2022).
Under NY Agriculture and Markets Law Article 20-C (Home Processor Exemption), NYC residents may produce and sell certain foods from their home kitchens without a food processing license. Allowed products include baked goods, candies, jams, jellies, preserves, dried herbs, and other non-potentially hazardous foods. Sales must be direct to the end consumer — wholesale to stores is not permitted unless separately licensed. Home processors must label products with name, address, ingredient list, and 'Made in a home kitchen' disclaimer. Annual gross sales cannot exceed $75,000. NYC DOHMH does not separately license home processors operating under the state exemption, but selling at NYC greenmarkets requires compliance with GrowNYC vendor rules. Operating a full commercial food business from a residential unit may violate the NYC Zoning Resolution's home occupation rules. Potentially hazardous foods (requiring refrigeration) are not eligible for the home processor exemption.
Exceeding the $75,000 sales cap requires a commercial food processing license. Selling potentially hazardous foods without a license: DOHMH violations of $200–$2,000. Operating a commercial food business from a residence in violation of zoning: DOB violations.
Other ordinances people look up for this city. Green dot = verified primary-source excerpt.
New York, NY
The NYC Noise Code prohibits excessive muffler/exhaust sound from motor vehicles on roads with a 35 mph or lower speed limit - defined by 'plainly audible' d...
New York, NY
Under Admin. Code Sec. 24-235, an animal owner may not permit unreasonable animal noise that is plainly audible inside any nearby residential property for 10...
New York, NY
Under Admin. Code Sec. 24-222, construction work is unlawful except on weekdays between 7:00 a.m. and 6:00 p.m. Limited weekend work (Sat/Sun 10 a.m.-4 p.m.)...
New York, NY
Under Admin. Code Sec. 24-231, music from a commercial establishment may not exceed 42 dB(A) measured inside any nearby residential dwelling unit, nor 45 dB ...
New York, NY
New York City has no blanket 'quiet hours' curfew, but the Noise Code's general prohibition (Admin. Code Sec. 24-218) makes it unlawful to make any unreasona...
New York, NY
New York City bars street storage of boat trailers, mobile homes, and mobile medical diagnostic vehicles: under 34 RCNY 4-08(m)(8) none may be parked on any ...
See how New York's cottage food operations rules stack up against other locations.
Help us keep this page accurate. If you notice an error or outdated information, let us know.