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Prince George's County, MD Home Business: Cottage Food Operations (2026)

Some Restrictions

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

Key Facts

Governing law: COMAR 10.15.03 (Md. Health)
Revenue cap: $50,000 per year
License: No food license required
Label statement: Required, 10-pt or larger
Zoning: Home-occupation rules apply

Summary

Selling homemade food from a Prince George's County home follows Maryland's cottage food law (COMAR 10.15.03), overseen by the Maryland Department of Health. A cottage food business makes non-hazardous foods at home, may earn up to $50,000 a year, needs no license, but must label products and follow County zoning.

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

“Made by a cottage food business that is not subject to Maryland’s food safety regulations” ... a cottage food business ... “produces or packages cottage food products in a residential kitchen in Maryland; and ... has annual revenues from the sale of cottage food products in an amount not exceeding $50,000.”

View official code

Full Breakdown

Under COMAR 10.15.03, a cottage food business produces or packages products in a residential Maryland kitchen with annual revenues not exceeding $50,000. Products are non-potentially hazardous foods - baked breads, cookies, cakes without hazardous fillings, high-acid jams, and candy - sold directly to a consumer or a Maryland retail store; interstate sales are prohibited. No food license is required, but every product must be prepackaged and labeled with the business name and address, ingredients, net quantity, allergen information, and the statement 'Made by a cottage food business that is not subject to Maryland's food safety regulations' in 10-point or larger type. Refrigerated foods are not allowed. Running the operation from home also triggers County home-occupation standards under Section 27-5203(b)(6).

Violations & Fines

Selling a food not on the allowed list, exceeding the $50,000 cap, or omitting the required label statement violates Maryland's cottage food regulations and can prompt Health Department enforcement, up to a full food license. County zoning is separately enforced.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I sell homemade food from my home?

Yes, as a cottage food business under Maryland law (COMAR 10.15.03). You can make non-hazardous foods, earn up to $50,000 a year with no license, and sell directly to consumers or Maryland retail stores if products are labeled correctly.

What label do cottage foods need?

Each package must show the business name and address, product name, ingredients, net quantity, allergen info, and in 10-point or larger type: 'Made by a cottage food business that is not subject to Maryland's food safety regulations.'

What foods are not allowed?

Foods needing refrigeration - cream pies, cheesecakes, custards, meat and dairy, low-acid canned goods, and salsas or pickled products - cannot be sold as cottage foods and require a health-department food license instead.

Sources & Official References

Other rules in Prince George's County

Fence Regulations: Height LimitsSome Restrictions Customer Traffic RestrictionsSome Restrictions Signage RulesHeavy Restrictions Home DaycareSome Restrictions Zoning & Home Occupation PermitsSome Restrictions Parking Rules: Preferential Parking DistrictsSome Restrictions Fence Regulations: Fence Permit RequirementsSome Restrictions Fence Regulations: Material RestrictionsSome Restrictions Animal Ordinances: BeekeepingFew Restrictions Animal Ordinances: Bird ProtectionSome Restrictions

All Prince George's County rules

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