DC's Cottage Food Act (DC Law 21-263, DC Code section 48-102 et seq.) permits home-based production and sale of non-potentially hazardous foods up to $25,000 annually. Producers must register with DC Health and complete food safety training. Allowed products include baked goods, candies, jams, dried mixes, and roasted coffee. Direct-to-consumer sales only; no shipping or wholesale.
The Cottage Food Act authorizes residents to manufacture and sell certain low-risk foods from their home kitchens without a commercial kitchen license. DC Code 48-102 caps annual gross sales at $25,000 per operator. Permitted foods include baked goods (non-cream-filled), jams, jellies, preserves, candies, roasted and ground coffee, cocoa mixes, dried herbs and spice blends, dry pasta, granola, and similar shelf-stable items. Prohibited items include meats, fish, dairy, raw sprouts, garlic in oil, canned low-acid foods, and anything requiring time/temperature control. Operators must register with DC Health's Food Safety and Hygiene Division, complete a certified food protection manager course, and label products with the producer's name, home address, ingredients in descending weight order, allergens, net weight, and the disclaimer 'Made in a cottage food business that is not subject to District of Columbia food safety inspection.' Sales must be direct to consumer at farmers markets, community events, or from the residence itself — no mail order, no internet shipping, and no wholesale to retail stores. Some zoning districts restrict food sales from the home; Home Occupation rules (DCMR 11-U 253) still apply.
Operating without registration: $500 fine. Selling prohibited categories (meat, dairy): cease and desist plus up to $2,000 fine. Sales over $25,000: loss of cottage food status, required commercial kitchen. Mislabeling: $100 per violation.
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