Illinois — the rules
Selling Food From Home in Illinois: Cottage Food Rules (2026)
Yes — you can legally sell food made in your home kitchen in Illinois, under the Cottage Food Operation under the Home-to-Market Act (410 ILCS 625/4). There is no state sales cap on the books. Here is exactly what that means.
Illinois at a glance
| Home food sales | Allowed |
| Program | Cottage Food Operation under the Home-to-Market Act (410 ILCS 625/4) |
| Annual sales cap | None specified |
| Sales channels | Direct to consumers (see details — many direct-only states still allow online orders with delivery) |
| Approximate fee | $50 |
What foods are covered
expanded non-TCS plus some higher-risk categories with controls: baked goods, jams, dry goods, plus acidified/fermented foods and canned tomatoes meeting pH requirements; prohibited: meat, poultry, dairy (limited exceptions), eggs (limited exceptions), low-acid canned foods, kombucha; only non-TCS foods may be shipped (in-state only)
Permits and registration
Annual registration with the local health department (fee capped at $50 by statute) plus a Department-approved Certified Food Protection Manager certificate. Sales are direct-to-consumer only (no resale, no retail/wholesale) but through broad channels: farmers markets, fairs/festivals, public events, online, home/farm pickup, delivery, in-state shipping; no out-of-state sales.
Going legal in Illinois: 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: www.ilga.gov · dph.illinois.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 Illinois?
Yes — under Cottage Food Operation under the Home-to-Market Act (410 ILCS 625/4). Allowed foods and channels are specific; check the primary source.
How much can you sell under Illinois's cottage food law?
Illinois does not specify a state sales cap in the current rules.
Do you need a permit to sell food from home in Illinois?
Annual registration with the local health department (fee capped at $50 by statute) plus a Department-approved Certified Food Protection Manager certificate. Sales are direct-to-consumer only (no resale, no retail/wholesale) but through broad channels: farmers markets, fairs/fest