Washington, DC Home Business: Cottage Food Operations (2026)
Key Facts
- Registering agency
- Cottage Food Business Registry, DC Dept. of Health
- Prerequisite permit
- Home occupancy permit, 11 DCMR § 203
- Product limit
- Only Department-approved food products list
- Label requirement
- 10-pt disclosure: not state-inspected
- Pre-op inspection
- Department may inspect before sales begin
Summary
DC lets residents sell non-potentially-hazardous food made in a home kitchen, but only after registering with the Cottage Food Business Registry (CFBR) inside the Department of Health and getting a home occupancy permit. Products must carry a mandated warning label and can't be sold without a CFBR identification number and certificate.
(b)(1) A cottage food business shall register with the Cottage Food Business Registry within the Department before beginning operation. (2) The Department may perform an inspection of the cottage food business before that business may sell its cottage food products. (3) The Department shall issue a cottage food business identification number and certificate to each registered cottage food business... (c) The owner of a cottage food business may sell only cottage food products that are: (1) Stored on the premises of the cottage food business; and (2) Prepackaged with a label that contains the following information... (G) The following statement printed in 10-point or larger type in a color that provides a clear contrast to the background of the label: "Made by a cottage food business that is not subject to the District of Columbia's food safety regulations."
Full Breakdown
C. 02, and has obtained a home occupancy permit from the Department of Consumer and Regulatory Affairs under 11 DCMR § 203. 5). Operators cannot produce, package, or sell products, or use processes, the Department hasn't approved. " The Department can investigate complaints, enter and inspect the premises at reasonable times, and sample products to check for misbranding or adulteration; an owner may not refuse entry or interfere with an inspection. The law exempts licensed food establishments from this subchapter and does not excuse a cottage food business from District or federal tax obligations.
Violations & Fines
Refusing to grant a Department representative access for an inspection, or interfering with one, is itself a violation under § 7-742.02(d)(3). Selling cottage food without a CFBR identification number and certificate, selling products or using processes the Department hasn't approved, or shipping product without the required warning label exposes the operator to Department enforcement, including sample seizure to test for misbranding or adulteration and revocation of registration.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a permit to sell homemade food in DC?
What foods can a DC cottage food business sell?
Does DC require a warning label on cottage food products?
Can the Health Department inspect a DC cottage food kitchen?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Washington
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