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Henrico County, VA Home Business: Cottage Food Operations (2026)

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

Key Facts

Allowed food sales
Home cooking, packaged foods on site
Resale of products
Not allowed
Customers
By appointment only
Hours
Mon-Sat, 8 a.m.-8 p.m.
State food rule
Va. Code § 3.2-5130 exemption

Summary

Henrico zoning lets a home occupation sell home cooking and packaged food made on site, along with handicrafts and clothes made on site, but reselling purchased products is not allowed. Virginia's home food-processing exemption (Va. Code § 3.2-5130) separately governs what foods can be made at home.

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

The home occupation must be limited to handicrafts made on site, clothes made or altered on site, and home cooking and preparation of packaged food items. Purchasing finished products and offering them for resale is not allowed as a Home Occupation, Sale of Goods.

View official code

Full Breakdown

Under § 24-4419.D, a Home Occupation, Sale of Goods must be limited to handicrafts made on site, clothes made or altered on site, and home cooking and preparation of packaged food items; buying finished products for resale is prohibited. Only one such home occupation is allowed per property, customers may come by appointment only, it must operate in the principal dwelling, and hours are limited to Monday-Saturday 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Note that the general home-occupation rules bar any business needing a Virginia Department of Health food-service permit, so higher-risk foods are excluded. Virginia's Home Food Processing Exemption (Va.

Violations & Fines

Selling resale merchandise, operating without meeting the sale-of-goods standards, or making foods outside the state exemption can bring a zoning notice of violation and civil penalties from Henrico, plus enforcement by the Virginia Department of Agriculture or Health for food-safety

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I sell homemade food from my Henrico home?
Yes, as a Home Occupation, Sale of Goods under § 24-4419.D, limited to home cooking and packaged food made on site. Reselling purchased products is not allowed, and customers come by appointment only.
What foods can I legally make at home to sell?
Virginia's Home Food Processing Exemption (§ 3.2-5130) allows certain low-risk foods like baked goods, jams, and candies, with proper labeling. Higher-risk foods needing a Health Department permit are excluded from home occupations.

Sources & Official References

Other rules in Henrico County

Noise Ordinances: Quiet HoursSome RestrictionsNoise Ordinances: Construction HoursSome RestrictionsZoning & Home Occupation PermitsSome RestrictionsSignage RulesSome RestrictionsHome DaycareSome RestrictionsNoise Ordinances: Aircraft NoiseFew RestrictionsNoise Ordinances: Leaf Blower RulesSome RestrictionsNoise Ordinances: Barking DogsSome RestrictionsNoise Ordinances: Amplified Music & Outdoor SoundSome Restrictions

All Henrico County rules

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