Spring Hill, FL Home Business: Cottage Food Operations (2026)

Florida Statute 500.80 — the Cottage Food Operation law, originally enacted in 2011 and substantially expanded by House Bill 663 in 2021 — permits any Florida resident operating from a home kitchen to produce and sell non-potentially-hazardous cottage food products directly to consumers without a Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FDACS) permit or inspection. The 2021 amendments raised the annual gross-sales cap from $50,000 to $250,000 and expressly preempted all local government and HOA regulation of cottage food operations in residential districts (FS 500.80(7)). Allowed products include baked goods (loaves of bread, rolls, biscuits, cookies, brownies, cakes — but not cream-filled or custard-filled items), candies and confections, fruit jams and jellies (high-acid only), fruit pies, dried herbs, honey, pasta (dry), granola, popcorn, roasted nuts and nut butters, dry baking mixes, vinegar, and similar non-temperature-controlled-for-safety shelf-stable items. Prohibited categories include meat, seafood, dairy products, eggs (other than as ingredients), fermented foods, low-acid canned vegetables, beverages, and any food requiring refrigeration to remain safe. Labels must include: producer's name and address; product name; ingredients in descending order with allergens; net weight; and the statement 'Made in a cottage food operation that is not subject to Florida's food safety regulations.' Direct-to-consumer sales channels include: in-person sales from the residence, online sales with shipment within Florida, mail-order within Florida, farmers markets, roadside stands, fairs, festivals, and special events. Wholesale, restaurant sales, and out-of-state shipment require a separate FDACS food establishment permit. Hernando County remains entitled to require a Business Tax Receipt under Chapter 18 of the County Code and Florida Statute Chapter 205, but cannot impose zoning restrictions, square-footage caps, customer-traffic limits, or local food inspections on cottage food operations operating within FS 500.80 standards. HOA-governed subdivisions in Spring Hill cannot prohibit cottage food operations under FS 500.80(7) preemption even if their covenants would otherwise bar home-based commerce.