Broward County, FL Home Business: Cottage Food Operations (2026)
Key Facts
- Annual Sales Cap
- $250,000 gross (FL 500.80)
- State Preemption
- No local license or permit required
- Allowed Foods
- Non-potentially hazardous only
- Label Required
- Yes, including cottage food disclaimer
- Sales Channels
- Direct, online, mail order within FL
Summary
Florida cottage food law (FL 500.80) allows home kitchen food sales up to $250,000 gross per year without a permit. Broward County cannot impose additional licensing, following 2021 state amendments preempting local cottage food regulation.
F.S. 500.80 Cottage food operations. — (1)(a) A cottage food operation must comply with the applicable requirements of this chapter but is exempt from the permitting requirements of s. 500.12 if the cottage food operation complies with this section and has annual gross sales of cottage food products that do not exceed $250,000.
(b) For purposes of this subsection, a cottage food operation's annual gross sales include all sales of cottage food products at any location, regardless of the types of products sold or the number of persons involved in the operation. A cottage food operation must provide the department, upon request, with written documentation to verify the operation's annual gross sales.
(2) A cottage food operation may sell, offer for sale, and accept payment for cottage food products over the Internet or by mail order. Such products may be delivered in person directly to the consumer, to a specific event venue, or by United States Postal Service or commercial mail delivery service. A cottage food operation may not sell, offer for sale, or deliver cottage food products at wholesale.
(3) A cottage food operation may only sell cottage food products which are prepackaged with a label affixed that contains the following information: (a) The name and address of the cottage food operation.
(b) The name of the cottage food product.
(c) The ingredients of the cottage food product, in descending order of predominance by weight.
(d) The net weight or net volume of the cottage food product.
(e) Allergen information as specified by federal labeling requirements.
(f) If any nutritional claim is made, appropriate nutritional information as specified by federal labeling requirements.
(g) The following statement printed in at least 10-point type in a color that provides a clear contrast to the background of the label: "Made in a cottage food operation that is not subject to Florida's food safety regulations."
(6) The regulation of cottage food operations is preempted to the state. A local law, ordinance, or regulation may not prohibit a cottage food operation or regulate the preparation, processing, storage, or sale of cottage food products by a cottage food operation; however, a cottage food operation must comply with the conditions for the operation of a home-based business under s. 559.955.
Full Breakdown
80. Operators may prepare non-potentially hazardous foods (baked goods, jams, honey, dry mixes, candy, pickles meeting pH requirements, granola, roasted nuts) in an unlicensed home kitchen and sell directly to consumers, at agricultural venues, at roadside stands, by mail order within Florida, or online. The 2021 amendment raised the gross annual sales cap to $250,000 and preempted local regulation, meaning Broward County and its municipalities cannot require a cottage food operator to obtain a local business license, permit, or inspection for the cottage food activity itself.
Products must be properly labeled with operator name and address, product name, ingredients in descending order by weight, net weight or volume, allergen declarations, and the statement: Made in a cottage food operation that is not subject to Florida food safety regulations. Foods requiring time/temperature control (meat, dairy-based, cream-filled, most custards) are prohibited. Operators may not sell wholesale to restaurants or retailers for resale. FDACS has authority to investigate complaints.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a Broward County license?
Can I sell to restaurants?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Broward County
Florida rules heatmap·Compare Broward County to another location·View the Florida home business overview
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