Washoe County, NV Home Business: Cottage Food Operations (2026)
Key Facts
- Registration
- Required before any sale
- Sales cap
- $35,000 gross per year
- Allowed foods
- Non-potentially-hazardous only
- Health authority
- Northern Nevada Public Health
- County rule
- Food per NRS 446 / Health District
Summary
Nevada allows registered cottage food operations to sell non-hazardous homemade foods without a full food-establishment permit. Operators must register with the health authority (Northern Nevada Public Health) before selling, and annual gross cottage-food sales are capped at $35,000.
Each natural person who wishes to conduct a cottage food operation must, before selling any food item, register the cottage food operation with the health authority by submitting such information as the health authority deems appropriate, including the name, address and contact information of the natural person conducting the cottage food operation.
Full Breakdown
Under Nevada's cottage food law (NRS 446.866), each person must register the cottage food operation with the health authority before selling any food item, providing name, address and contact information. Allowed products are limited to non-potentially-hazardous foods such as baked goods, jams, candies, dried fruits, granola and popcorn. Sales are direct-to-consumer only. Washoe County's home-based business code specifically permits food only as authorized in NRS 446 and by the Washoe County Health District (now Northern Nevada Public Health) for cottage food. Note: 2025 legislation (SB466/AB352) is transferring food oversight to the Nevada Department of Agriculture, phasing in through 2027.
Violations & Fines
Selling cottage foods without registering, exceeding the $35,000 annual cap, or selling prohibited hazardous foods removes the exemption and subjects the operator to food-establishment permit requirements and health-authority enforcement.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a permit to sell homemade baked goods?
What foods can I sell?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Washoe County
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