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Montana's Cottage Food Law

Montana's cottage food law allows individuals to produce and sell certain homemade food products directly to consumers without operating under a licensed food establishment. The law covers non-potentially hazardous foods made in your home kitchen, meaning products that don't require refrigeration to stay safe. Baked goods, jams, candies, and similar shelf-stable items fall within the allowed categories. You don't need a commercial kitchen to qualify.

You can sell your cottage food products through farmers markets, roadside stands, fairs, and other direct-to-consumer venues. Montana also permits online sales, so you can take orders through a website or social media. However, shipping your products is not allowed. All sales must result in the buyer receiving the product directly from you, keeping the transaction local and personal.

Montana has no annual revenue cap, which means your cottage food business can grow without hitting a ceiling that forces you into a licensed facility before you're ready. No permit or registration is required to start selling. This combination of no revenue limit and no permitting requirement makes Montana one of the more accessible states for home-based food entrepreneurs. You can focus on building your product and customer base from day one.

Quick Summary

Montana cottage food law allows:

  • •Baked goods (breads, cookies, cakes, muffins, pastries)
  • •Jams, jellies, and preserves
  • •Candies and confections
  • •Honey
  • •Dry goods and mixes
  • •Roasted nuts

Not allowed:

  • •Meat and poultry products
  • •Foods requiring refrigeration for safety
  • •Low-acid canned goods
  • •Dairy-based products
  • •Raw sprouts
  • •Juices or ciders

Sales limit: $50,000 per year

Annual Limit

$50,000/year

Permit Required

No

Online Orders

Allowed

Shipping

Not Allowed

Permitted Foods

  • ✓Baked goods (breads, cookies, cakes, muffins, pastries)
  • ✓Jams, jellies, and preserves
  • ✓Candies and confections
  • ✓Honey
  • ✓Dry goods and mixes
  • ✓Roasted nuts
  • ✓Granola and cereals
  • ✓Dried herbs and spices

Prohibited Foods

  • ✗Meat and poultry products
  • ✗Foods requiring refrigeration for safety
  • ✗Low-acid canned goods
  • ✗Dairy-based products
  • ✗Raw sprouts
  • ✗Juices or ciders

Labeling Requirements

  • ✓Producer's name and home address
  • ✓Product name
  • ✓Ingredients listed in descending order by weight
  • ✓Major food allergens disclosed
  • ✓Net weight or net volume
  • ✓Statement that the product was made in a home kitchen not inspected by the state or local health department

Starting a Home Bakery in Montana

Once you understand the cottage food rules, most Montana home bakers focus on three things:

  • →Pricing recipes so they are profitable
  • →Creating compliant labels
  • →Managing orders and preorders

endvr helps Montana bakers do all three in one place.

Tools for Montana Cottage Food Bakers

Create compliant labels in seconds

endvr's label maker automatically includes the Montana required disclaimer and allergen labeling — so your labels are always inspection-ready.

Download on the App StoreOr sign up on web →

Montana allows online orders

Launch an online bakery storefront

Since Montana permits online cottage food sales, endvr gives you a simple storefront where customers can browse, preorder, and pay — no website required.

Get your free storefrontDownload the iOS app →

Common Questions Montana Bakers Ask

Can I sell baked goods from home in Montana?+
Yes. Montana's cottage food law permits individuals to produce and sell certain non-potentially-hazardous foods from their home kitchen directly to consumers without a commercial kitchen license.
Do I need a permit to sell cottage food in Montana?+
No permit is required in Montana to sell cottage food products, though you must still comply with labeling requirements and sales restrictions.
How much can I earn selling cottage food in Montana?+
Montana cottage food producers may earn up to $50,000 per year from direct sales. Sales above this limit may require a commercial food license.
Can I take orders online in Montana?+
Yes. Montana permits online orders for cottage food products. However, products must typically be delivered directly to the buyer in person — shipping is not permitted.
Can I ship cottage food products in Montana?+
No. Montana does not allow shipping of cottage food products. Sales must be completed through direct, in-person transactions with the consumer.
What foods can I sell from home in Montana?+
Under Montana's cottage food law, permitted products include Baked goods (breads, cookies, cakes, muffins, pastries), Jams, jellies, and preserves, Candies and confections, Honey, Dry goods and mixes, Roasted nuts and others. Generally, any food that does not require refrigeration for safety qualifies. Foods with cream, custard, or meat fillings are typically not allowed.
What labeling is required to sell cottage food in Montana?+
Montana requires cottage food labels to include: Producer's name and home address; Product name; Ingredients listed in descending order by weight; Major food allergens disclosed.

Common Montana cottage food questions

→ Can I sell cottage food online in Montana?→ Can I ship cottage food in Montana?→ What is Montana's cottage food sales limit?→ What are Montana's labeling requirements?→ Can I use cream cheese frosting in Montana?

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