Pennsylvania — the rules
Selling Food From Home in Pennsylvania: Cottage Food Rules (2026)
Yes — you can legally sell food made in your home kitchen in Pennsylvania, under the Limited Food Establishment. There is no state sales cap on the books. Here is exactly what that means.
Pennsylvania at a glance
| Home food sales | Allowed |
| Program | Limited Food Establishment |
| Annual sales cap | None specified |
| Sales channels | Direct to consumers AND through retail/indirect channels |
| Approximate fee | $35 |
What foods are covered
non-hazardous foods that do not require refrigeration of the finished product: baked goods, jams/jellies, honey, maple syrup, kombucha, canned acidified foods (with approved process); wholesale and retail sales allowed, plus internet sales; farmers market/event selling requires a separate Retail Food Facility license; out-of-state sales may require FDA registration
Permits and registration
Registration with PA Dept of Agriculture: application packet (60 days before operating), plan review, then on-site kitchen inspection; $35 registration fee collected after compliant inspection, renewed annually at $35
Going legal in Pennsylvania: 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.pa.gov · www.pa.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 Pennsylvania?
Yes — under Limited Food Establishment. Allowed foods and channels are specific; check the primary source.
How much can you sell under Pennsylvania's cottage food law?
Pennsylvania does not specify a state sales cap in the current rules.
Do you need a permit to sell food from home in Pennsylvania?
Registration with PA Dept of Agriculture: application packet (60 days before operating), plan review, then on-site kitchen inspection; $35 registration fee collected after compliant inspection, renewed annually at $35