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St. Clair County, IL Home Business: Cottage Food Operations (2026)

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

Key Facts

Governing law
410 ILCS 625/4 (Cottage Food)
Where made
Primary residence kitchen or farm
Registration
Local health department (mandatory)
Local registrar
St. Clair County Health Dept
Prohibited
Meat, fish, most dairy/eggs

Summary

Illinois' Cottage Food law (410 ILCS 625/4) lets you produce many non-hazardous foods in your home kitchen for direct sale. You must register with your local health department, in St. Clair County, the St. Clair County Health Department, before selling.

These county ordinances apply to unincorporated areas of St. Clair County. Incorporated cities within the county may have their own rules that take precedence over county-level regulations.

"Cottage food operation" means an operation conducted by a person who produces or packages food or drink ... in a kitchen located in that person's primary domestic residence or another appropriately designed and equipped kitchen on a farm for direct sale by the owner, a family member, or employee.

View official code

Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: the cited page had not changed since it was quoted.

Full Breakdown

Under 410 ILCS 625/4, a 'cottage food operation' is a person who produces or packages food or drink (other than the prohibited hazardous items) in a kitchen in their primary domestic residence, or an equipped farm kitchen, for direct sale by the owner, a family member, or an employee. The 2022 Home-to-Market Act broadened what can be sold and where. A cottage food operation must register with the local health department for the unit of local government where it is located, and may then sell products beyond that jurisdiction. Prohibited items include meat, poultry, fish, and most dairy/egg products.

Violations & Fines

Selling prohibited hazardous foods, or operating without registering with the local health department, subjects a cottage food operation to enforcement and possible cease-sale action.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I sell baked goods made in my home kitchen?
Yes. Under 410 ILCS 625/4 you may produce non-hazardous foods in your primary-residence kitchen for direct sale, once you register with the St. Clair County Health Department.
Do I have to register anywhere?
Yes. State law requires a cottage food operation to register with the local health department for the unit of local government where it is located before selling.

Sources & Official References

Other rules in St. Clair County

Fence Regulations: Height LimitsSome RestrictionsHome DaycareSome RestrictionsZoning & Home Occupation PermitsSome RestrictionsSignage RulesSome RestrictionsCustomer Traffic RestrictionsSome RestrictionsNoise Ordinances: Aircraft NoiseSome RestrictionsParking Rules: Driveway RulesSome RestrictionsFence Regulations: Material RestrictionsSignificant RestrictionsFence Regulations: Retaining WallsSome RestrictionsFence Regulations: Fence Permit RequirementsSome Restrictions

All St. Clair County rules

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