Shelby County, TN Home Business: Cottage Food Operations (2026)
Key Facts
- Governing law
- TN Food Freedom Act 53-1-118
- State license
- Not required
- Inspection
- Exempt (except illness probe)
- Sales cap
- None
- Agency
- TN Dept. of Agriculture
Summary
Homemade food producers in Shelby County are governed by the Tennessee Food Freedom Act (T.C.A. 53-1-118). Foods produced in a home kitchen under the Act are exempt from state licensing, permitting, inspection, packaging, and labeling requirements.
Foods produced in a home-based kitchen in accordance with TFFA are exempt from all licensing, permitting, inspecting, packaging, and labeling laws of this state.
Full Breakdown
The Tennessee Food Freedom Act, also called the Tennessee Cottage Food Law, was amended effective July 1, 2025 to allow sale of certain time/temperature-controlled foods. Foods made in a home-based kitchen under the Act are exempt from all state licensing, permitting, inspecting, packaging, and labeling laws, except when the Department of Health investigates a reported foodborne illness. The Tennessee Department of Agriculture (TDA) does not issue permits or inspect these products, and there is no state sales cap. If products fall outside the Act's exemptions, TDA may enforce under T.C.A. 53-1-201 et seq. Producers must still meet local zoning: under UDC 2.7.4, food handling using standard home kitchen equipment is an allowed home occupation, but a restaurant is not.
Violations & Fines
Selling food outside the Act's exemptions (for example prohibited products) can trigger TDA enforcement under T.C.A. 53-1-201 et seq. Operating a food business that exceeds home-occupation limits is separately a Shelby County zoning violation.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a license to sell homemade food in Shelby County?
Are there sales limits?
Does zoning still apply?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Shelby County
Compare Shelby County to another location·View the Tennessee home business overview
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