Washington — the rules
Selling Food From Home in Washington: Cottage Food Rules (2026)
Yes — you can legally sell food made in your home kitchen in Washington, under the Cottage Food Operation Permit (WSDA). Sales are capped at $35,000/year. Here is exactly what that means.
Washington at a glance
| Home food sales | Allowed |
| Program | Cottage Food Operation Permit (WSDA) |
| Annual sales cap | $35,000 |
| Sales channels | Direct to consumers (see details — many direct-only states still allow online orders with delivery) |
| Approximate fee | $355 |
What foods are covered
Non-potentially-hazardous foods only: baked goods, stovetop candies, chocolates, standardized jams/jellies/preserves/fruit butters, dry herb/tea/spice blends, vinegars; no refrigerated items, canned/pickled vegetables, meat, dairy, or fermented foods. Direct-to-consumer only, within Washington; online ordering allowed but products must be picked up or hand-delivered in state - no shipping, no wholesale/retail resale (RCW 69.22.010, 69.22.020)
Permits and registration
WSDA Cottage Food Operation Permit required: application with recipes/labels, public health review, on-site home kitchen inspection, food worker card for all workers, WA business license, water test if on a well; permit valid two years
Going legal in Washington: 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: agr.wa.gov · app.leg.wa.gov · app.leg.wa.gov · agr.wa.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 Washington?
Yes — under Cottage Food Operation Permit (WSDA), with an annual sales cap of $35,000. Allowed foods and channels are specific; check the primary source.
How much can you sell under Washington's cottage food law?
$35,000 per year under the current rules.
Do you need a permit to sell food from home in Washington?
WSDA Cottage Food Operation Permit required: application with recipes/labels, public health review, on-site home kitchen inspection, food worker card for all workers, WA business license, water test if on a well; permit valid two years