Ohio — the rules
Selling Food From Home in Ohio: Cottage Food Rules (2026)
Yes — you can legally sell food made in your home kitchen in Ohio, under the Cottage Food Production Operation. There is no state sales cap on the books. Here is exactly what that means.
Ohio at a glance
| Home food sales | Allowed |
| Program | Cottage Food Production Operation |
| Annual sales cap | None specified |
| Sales channels | Direct to consumers AND through retail/indirect channels |
What foods are covered
non-potentially-hazardous foods from an approved list (OAC 901:3-20-04): baked goods, jams/jellies, candy, fruit butter, granola, popcorn, unfilled donuts, roasted coffee, dry tea/seasoning blends, dry mixes; no potentially hazardous, acidified, or low-acid canned foods; may be sold direct from home, at farmers/farm markets, through licensed grocery stores and restaurants - Ohio sales only
Permits and registration
None - no license, registration, inspection, or fee for cottage food operations; labeling per ORC 3715.023 required; separate optional Home Bakery license ($10/yr, inspected) needed for refrigerated/TCS baked goods
Going legal in Ohio: 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: codes.ohio.gov · agri.ohio.gov · foodsafety.osu.edu. 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 Ohio?
Yes — under Cottage Food Production Operation. Allowed foods and channels are specific; check the primary source.
How much can you sell under Ohio's cottage food law?
Ohio does not specify a state sales cap in the current rules.
Do you need a permit to sell food from home in Ohio?
None - no license, registration, inspection, or fee for cottage food operations; labeling per ORC 3715.023 required; separate optional Home Bakery license ($10/yr, inspected) needed for refrigerated/TCS baked goods