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Virginia's Cottage Food Law

Virginia's cottage food law allows individuals to produce and sell certain non-potentially-hazardous foods made in a home kitchen. The law applies to home-based producers working without a commercial facility or food establishment license. Covered products are generally shelf-stable baked goods, jams, jellies, and similar low-risk foods. Virginia does not require a food science background or formal training to qualify under this law.

You can sell your cottage food products through direct, in-person channels only. Farmers markets, roadside stands, and on-site sales from your home are all permitted. Online sales are not allowed, and you cannot ship products to customers. All transactions must happen face-to-face, which means your sales are limited to buyers you can reach in person within Virginia.

Virginia caps cottage food revenue at $10,000 per year in gross sales. No permit, license, or registration is required before you start selling. One notable restriction is that Virginia's cap is lower than many other states, so you'll want to track your income carefully as your business grows. Within those boundaries, the law gives you a clear, low-barrier path to start selling your products legally.

Quick Summary

Virginia cottage food law allows:

  • •Baked goods (breads, cookies, cakes, pastries)
  • •Jams, jellies, and fruit preserves
  • •Candies and confections
  • •Roasted nuts
  • •Dried herbs and seasonings
  • •Honey

Not allowed:

  • •Meat and poultry products
  • •Seafood products
  • •Foods requiring refrigeration or temperature control
  • •Dairy-based products
  • •Canned low-acid vegetables
  • •Fermented or pickled products with pH above 4.6

Sales limit: $10,000 per year

Annual Limit

$10,000/year

Permit Required

No

Online Orders

Not Allowed

Shipping

Not Allowed

Permitted Foods

  • ✓Baked goods (breads, cookies, cakes, pastries)
  • ✓Jams, jellies, and fruit preserves
  • ✓Candies and confections
  • ✓Roasted nuts
  • ✓Dried herbs and seasonings
  • ✓Honey

Prohibited Foods

  • ✗Meat and poultry products
  • ✗Seafood products
  • ✗Foods requiring refrigeration or temperature control
  • ✗Dairy-based products
  • ✗Canned low-acid vegetables
  • ✗Fermented or pickled products with pH above 4.6

Labeling Requirements

  • ✓Producer's full name and home address
  • ✓Product name
  • ✓Complete ingredient list
  • ✓Major food allergen disclosure
  • ✓Net weight or net volume
  • ✓Required disclaimer: 'This product was made in a home kitchen that may contain common food allergens. Not for resale.'

Required Label Disclaimer

“This product was made in a home kitchen that may contain common food allergens. Not for resale.”

Starting a Home Bakery in Virginia

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

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

endvr helps Virginia bakers do all three in one place.

Tools for Virginia Cottage Food Bakers

Create compliant labels in seconds

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

Download on the App StoreOr sign up on web →

Common Questions Virginia Bakers Ask

Can I sell baked goods from home in Virginia?+
Yes. Virginia'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 Virginia?+
No permit is required in Virginia 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 Virginia?+
Virginia cottage food producers may earn up to $10,000 per year from direct sales. Sales above this limit may require a commercial food license.
Can I take orders online in Virginia?+
Virginia does not permit online sales of cottage food products under the cottage food law. Sales must be conducted in person through direct transactions.
Can I ship cottage food products in Virginia?+
No. Virginia 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 Virginia?+
Under Virginia's cottage food law, permitted products include Baked goods (breads, cookies, cakes, pastries), Jams, jellies, and fruit preserves, Candies and confections, Roasted nuts, Dried herbs and seasonings, Honey. 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 Virginia?+
Virginia requires cottage food labels to include: Producer's full name and home address; Product name; Complete ingredient list; Major food allergen disclosure. Labels must also display the disclaimer: "This product was made in a home kitchen that may contain common food allergens. Not for resale.".

Common Virginia cottage food questions

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

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