Polk County, FL Home Business: Cottage Food Operations (2026)
Key Facts
- State license
- Not required
- Annual sales cap
- $250,000
- Governing statute
- FS 500.80
- Sales
- Direct-to-consumer, mail, online
- Local rule
- Business tax receipt applies
Summary
Florida law lets you sell homemade non-hazardous foods from your Polk County home without a state license, as long as annual gross sales stay at or below $250,000. Cottage food is governed statewide by FS 500.80.
A cottage food operation must comply with the applicable requirements of this chapter but is exempt from the permitting requirements of s. 500.12 if the cottage food operation complies with this section and has annual gross sales of cottage food products that do not exceed $250,000.
Full Breakdown
Under Florida Statutes 500.80, a cottage food operation is exempt from the Department of Agriculture permitting requirements of s. 500.12 if it complies with the section and has annual gross sales of cottage food products that do not exceed $250,000. Cottage foods are non-potentially-hazardous items such as baked goods, jams, and dry mixes. Products must be sold directly to consumers (including by mail order and online), stored in the home, and labeled per the statute. This is a statewide standard; Polk County does not add a local cottage-food license, though a local business tax receipt and home-occupation compliance still apply.
Violations & Fines
Exceeding the $250,000 cap or selling potentially hazardous foods removes the exemption, requiring a food-permit from the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services and subjecting the operation to inspection and enforcement.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a Florida license to sell homemade food?
Can I sell my baked goods online?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Polk County
Florida rules heatmap·Compare Polk County to another location·View the Florida home business overview
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