Shady Hills Home Business: Cottage Food Operations Rules (2026)

Florida Statute §500.80 (Cottage Food Operations) allows Pasco County residents to produce and sell non-potentially hazardous foods prepared in a home kitchen up to $250,000 in gross annual sales. Permitted products include baked goods, jams, jellies, honey, dried herbs, fruit pies, cakes, candies, and similar shelf-stable items. Prohibited items include anything requiring refrigeration for safety (cream-filled pastries, meat products, canned low-acid vegetables). No commercial kitchen, no DBPR inspection, no local permit is required. Sales may be direct to consumer (in person, by mail, online with local delivery) and through qualifying venues such as farmers markets and roadside stands. Labels must include: business name and address, ingredient list (descending by weight), allergen declarations per FDA rules, net weight, and the statement 'Made in a cottage food operation that is not subject to Florida's food safety regulations.' FL §500.80 preempts local governments from requiring licenses or permits for cottage food operations, so Pasco County cannot add its own permit requirement, though zoning rules on customer traffic and signage still apply.