Skip to main content
CityRuleLookup
Key FactsOrdinance TextFull BreakdownViolationsFAQSourcesMore in Baltimore County

Baltimore County, MD Home Business: Cottage Food Operations (2026)

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

Key Facts

Authority
State (COMAR 10.15.03.27), not county
License
Not required if compliant
Revenue cap
$50,000 per year
Sales area
Within Maryland only
Foods
Non-potentially hazardous only

Summary

Cottage food is governed by the State, not Baltimore County. Under COMAR 10.15.03.27, a cottage food business may sell non-potentially hazardous homemade foods made in a private home kitchen without a Maryland Department of Health license, but only within Maryland and directly to consumers or retail stores.

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

A cottage food business may offer for sale the homemade foods specified in §B of this regulation when the foods are: (1) Made in a private home kitchen; and (2) Offered or sold only in the State: (a) ... at a retail food store; or (b) Directly to a consumer: (i) At a farmer's market; (ii) At a bake sale; (iii) At a public event; (iv) By personal delivery; or (v) By mail order.

View official code

Full Breakdown

Maryland COMAR 10.15.03.27 provides that "a cottage food business may offer for sale the homemade foods specified in §B of this regulation when the foods are: (1) Made in a private home kitchen; and (2) Offered or sold only in the State: (a) ... at a retail food store; or (b) Directly to a consumer: (i) At a farmer's market; (ii) At a bake sale; (iii) At a public event; (iv) By personal delivery; or (v) By mail order." Allowed products are non-potentially hazardous items such as jams, jellies, preserves, fruit butters, baked goods, and candy.

Violations & Fines

Selling potentially hazardous foods, exceeding the revenue cap, mislabeling, or selling outside Maryland removes the cottage-food exemption and can subject the operator to Maryland Department of Health licensing requirements and enforcement.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need a license to sell homemade baked goods?
No, if you qualify as a cottage food business under COMAR 10.15.03.27: non-potentially hazardous foods made in a private home kitchen, sold directly within Maryland, under $50,000/year, and properly labeled.
Can I ship my cottage foods out of state?
No. Cottage food products may be offered or sold only in the State of Maryland; interstate/out-of-state sales are not permitted under the exemption.

Sources & Official References

Other rules in Baltimore County

Parking Rules: RV & Boat ParkingSome RestrictionsZoning & Home Occupation PermitsSome RestrictionsHome DaycareSome RestrictionsSignage RulesSome RestrictionsParking Rules: Snow Removal Parking RulesLight RestrictionsParking Rules: Driveway RulesSome RestrictionsParking Rules: Loading ZonesSome RestrictionsFence Regulations: Fence Permit RequirementsSome RestrictionsFence Regulations: Retaining WallsSome Restrictions

All Baltimore County rules

Compare Baltimore County to another location·View the Maryland home business overview

Get notified when Cottage Food Operations in Baltimore County, MD changes

We'll email you the moment we detect a change in the code. No spam, unsubscribe anytime.

We'll never sell or share your email. One-click unsubscribe in every email.

See something wrong?

Help us keep this page accurate. If you notice an error or outdated information, let us know.