Norfolk follows Virginia Cottage Food Law (VA Code 3.2-5130) allowing home kitchen production of non-hazardous foods for direct sale. No state permit or inspection required. Annual sales cap removed in 2023 update. Labeling and venue rules apply.
The Virginia Home Food Processing Law, commonly called the Cottage Food Law, is codified at Virginia Code 3.2-5130. Virginia is a permissive cottage food state: producers of non-potentially-hazardous foods (baked goods, jams, jellies, dry mixes, granola, candies, herb blends, and similar shelf-stable items) can sell directly to consumers from their home kitchen without VDACS inspection or permit. The 2023 update (HB 1842) removed the prior 3,000 dollar annual sales cap. Sales venues allowed: direct to consumer at the producer residence, farmers markets, roadside stands, festivals, and consumer-direct delivery. Sales through third-party retailers, restaurants, or online interstate are not covered (require full commercial licensing). Labels must include: producer name and address, product name, full ingredient list, net weight, allergen declarations, and the disclosure NOT FOR RESALE - PROCESSED AND PREPARED WITHOUT STATE INSPECTION. Norfolk adds: Home Occupation permit through Planning, BPOL business license, and zoning compliance. Prohibited foods include meats, dairy, refrigerated baked goods, and anything requiring time/temperature control.
Contact your local code enforcement office for specific penalty information.
Other ordinances people look up for this city. Green dot = verified primary-source excerpt.
Norfolk, VA
Norfolk prohibits habitual barking that disturbs neighbors under City Code Chapter 6 (Animals). A dog barking continuously for 20 minutes or intermittently f...
Norfolk, VA
Amplified music in Norfolk is prohibited if plainly audible at 50 feet from the source or inside another residence. Granby Street, Waterside District, and Gh...
Norfolk, VA
Norfolk enforces quiet hours from 10 PM to 7 AM weekdays and 11 PM to 8 AM weekends under City Code Chapter 26. Plainly audible standard applies at 50 feet o...
Norfolk, VA
Virginia has no statutory shared-fence cost law. Norfolk property owners are individually responsible for fences on their own land. Boundary-line fences requ...
Norfolk, VA
Norfolk requires all dogs off their owner's property to be leashed under City Code Chapter 6. Town Point Park, Ocean View Beach, and most city parks require ...
Norfolk, VA
Norfolk limits households to a combined total of 4 dogs and cats over 4 months old without a kennel license. Kennel licenses require zoning approval. Militar...
See how Norfolk'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.