Charleston County, SC Home Business: Cottage Food Operations (2026)
Key Facts
- Governed by
- SC Code 44-1-143
- Permit/license
- None required
- Allowed foods
- Non-potentially hazardous
- Sales
- Direct, mail, retail stores
- Label
- Required state disclosure
Summary
South Carolina's home-based food law lets you make and sell non-potentially hazardous foods from your home with no permit, license, or inspection, as long as each package carries the required state disclosure label.
'Home-based food production operation' means an individual, operating out of the individual's dwelling, who prepares, processes, packages, stores, and distributes nonpotentially hazardous foods for sale directly to a person, including online and by mail order, or to retail stores, including grocery stores.
Full Breakdown
Cottage food in Charleston County is governed by state law, SC Code 44-1-143. A home-based food production operation is an individual operating out of their dwelling who prepares, packages, and distributes non-potentially hazardous foods (such as baked goods and candies) for sale directly to consumers, including online and by mail, or to retail and grocery stores. No DHEC permit, license, or food-safety course is required. Every product must carry a conspicuous label with the mandated statement. Potentially hazardous foods that need refrigeration are not allowed under this law.
Violations & Fines
Selling foods outside the non-potentially-hazardous scope, or failing to label as required, removes the exemption and subjects the operation to DHEC retail food regulation and enforcement.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a license to sell homemade baked goods?
What label is required?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Charleston County
Compare Charleston County to another location·View the South Carolina home business overview
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