Oakland County home bakers, jam makers, and other cottage food operators are governed by Michigan's Cottage Food Law (MCL 289.4102), administered by MDARD. Sales are capped at $50,000/year (or $75,000/year for products priced ≥$250/unit). No license is required, but products must be non-potentially hazardous, properly labeled, and sold directly to consumers in Michigan.
Michigan's Cottage Food Law (enacted 2010, amended 2024) lets residents make and sell certain shelf-stable foods from their unlicensed home kitchen. Allowed items: baked goods (cookies, breads, brownies), jams/jellies, dry herbs, granola, popcorn, and similar non-perishable products. Prohibited: anything requiring time/temperature control for safety — meat, dairy products (other than dry items), low-acid canned goods, fresh pickles. Sales must be direct to consumer (farmers markets, roadside stands, in-person, internet sales within Michigan). Wholesale and consignment are barred. Labels must include producer name and address, product name, ingredients, allergens, net weight, and the required disclosure: 'Made in a home kitchen that has not been inspected by the Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development.' Oakland County does not separately license cottage food operations, but the operation must still comply with the host municipality's home occupation zoning standards.
Selling cottage food without proper labeling, exceeding the $50,000/$75,000 sales cap, selling potentially hazardous items, or selling wholesale can trigger MDARD enforcement, fines, and being required to obtain a full food establishment license. Local zoning enforcement may also be triggered if cottage food sales violate home occupation rules (e.g., walk-up customer traffic, signage).
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