Maryland — the rules
Selling Food From Home in Maryland: Cottage Food Rules (2026)
Yes — you can legally sell food made in your home kitchen in Maryland, under the Cottage Food Business (COMAR 10.15.03.02B(17-1) and 10.15.03.27). Sales are capped at $50,000/year. Here is exactly what that means.
Maryland at a glance
| Home food sales | Allowed |
| Program | Cottage Food Business (COMAR 10.15.03.02B(17-1) and 10.15.03.27) |
| Annual sales cap | $50,000 |
| Sales channels | Direct to consumers AND through retail/indirect channels |
What foods are covered
non-potentially-hazardous only: baked breads/cookies/pastries without perishable toppings or fillings, fruit pies from fruits with natural pH <= 4.6, hot-filled high-acid jams/jellies/preserves/fruit butters, non-perishable candy and chocolate confections, snacks, roasted coffee beans; prohibited: refrigerated baked goods, low-acid canned foods, acidified/pickled products, garlic-in-oil, sprouts, fish, meat, poultry, dairy, beverages
Permits and registration
No state license, registration, inspection, or fee for direct sales (sold in-state directly to consumers from the residence, at farmers markets, at public events, by personal delivery, or by mail delivery). Selling to a retail food store additionally requires prior written approval from the Maryland Department of Health (ID and Retail Sales Request Form), an ANSI/Department-approved basic food safety course within the past 3 years, and expanded labeling. Interstate sales prohibited. Annual cottage food revenue must not exceed $50,000.
Going legal in Maryland: 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: health.maryland.gov · health.maryland.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 Maryland?
Yes — under Cottage Food Business (COMAR 10.15.03.02B(17-1) and 10.15.03.27), with an annual sales cap of $50,000. Allowed foods and channels are specific; check the primary source.
How much can you sell under Maryland's cottage food law?
$50,000 per year under the current rules.
Do you need a permit to sell food from home in Maryland?
No state license, registration, inspection, or fee for direct sales (sold in-state directly to consumers from the residence, at farmers markets, at public events, by personal delivery, or by mail delivery). Selling to a retail food store additionally requires prior written approv