Idaho — the rules
Selling Food From Home in Idaho: Cottage Food Rules (2026)
Yes — you can legally sell food made in your home kitchen in Idaho, under the Idaho Direct-to-Consumer Commerce Act (Title 37, Chapter 2, Idaho Code; SB 1283, effective March 20, 2026; supersedes former cottage food rule IDAPA 16.02.19). There is no state sales cap on the books. Here is exactly what that means.
Idaho at a glance
| Home food sales | Allowed |
| Program | Idaho Direct-to-Consumer Commerce Act (Title 37, Chapter 2, Idaho Code; SB 1283, effective March 20, 2026; supersedes former cottage food rule IDAPA 16.02.19) |
| Annual sales cap | None specified |
| Sales channels | Direct to consumers (see details — many direct-only states still allow online orders with delivery) |
What foods are covered
food freedom / expanded: both shelf-stable AND perishable (TCS) homemade foods and nonalcoholic drinks are allowed, including refrigerated items, baked goods with perishable frosting, raw doughs, fresh pastas, pickled products, jerky, eggs, non-refrigerated dairy-based candies; limited meat allowances (poultry up to 1,000 birds/yr, rabbit, farm-raised fish, USDA-inspected red meat, animal shares); no on-site/ready-to-eat restaurant-style food service; raw milk only under separate dairy chapters
Permits and registration
None: no license, permit, registration, fee, or routine inspection for qualifying sales. Sales must be direct to an informed end consumer (or via a designated agent such as a farm stand or cooperative market), occur entirely within Idaho (no interstate commerce), include the consumer disclosure statement 'This product is not subject to government food safety inspection or licensing requirements', and producers must keep transaction records for 2 years.
Going legal in Idaho: the plate-seller checklist
- Read the primary source (linked below) — caps and food lists are specific and they change.
- Label honestly — most programs require your name, address or registration, and a made-in-a-home-kitchen disclosure on packaging.
- Get your free EIN at irs.gov and open a separate account for food money.
- Take payment at order time — prepaid orders with a weekly cutoff are how home sellers stay profitable AND within caps.
- Build the storefront — a menu page, order-ahead with cutoffs, your own business line. Our free guide covers the whole playbook.
Sources and verification
Verified 2026-07 against: legislature.idaho.gov · legislature.idaho.gov · healthandwelfare.idaho.gov. Rules change — confirm with the primary source before acting; this guide is information, not legal advice.
Questions people ask
Is it legal to sell food from home in Idaho?
Yes — under Idaho Direct-to-Consumer Commerce Act (Title 37, Chapter 2, Idaho Code; SB 1283, effective March 20, 2026; supersedes former cottage food rule IDAPA 16.02.19). Allowed foods and channels are specific; check the primary source.
How much can you sell under Idaho's cottage food law?
Idaho does not specify a state sales cap in the current rules.
Do you need a permit to sell food from home in Idaho?
None: no license, permit, registration, fee, or routine inspection for qualifying sales. Sales must be direct to an informed end consumer (or via a designated agent such as a farm stand or cooperative market), occur entirely within Idaho (no interstate commerce), include the cons