District of Columbia cottage food laws
Rules change, so always confirm with the official District of Columbia source.
The law: District of Columbia Cottage Food Act, DC Code 7-742.01 et seq., as amended in 2019 and 2025.
What you can sell
Approved nonhazardous shelf-stable products such as breads, cookies, qualifying cakes, granola and candies.
What you can't sell
Products requiring refrigeration for safety, such as cream/custard-filled pastries, and other unapproved foods.
Do you need a license or permit?
Obtain a DC Health registry number/certificate, home occupancy permit, food protection manager certification and DC-issued manager card. A pre-operational inspection may be required; an older official application lists a $50 review fee, but the current fee was not confirmed.
Sales limits
The annual revenue cap was removed by the 2019 expansion.
Where you can sell
Direct and online sales within DC are allowed; the June 2025 amendment also permits wholesale to licensed food establishments. Confirm mailing/delivery procedures with DC Health; no interstate authority was verified.
Label requirements
Registration and product-label requirements apply; the complete current fields and exact required disclaimer could not be verified. Obtain current label approval guidance from DC Health.
Good to know
Older official PDFs still prohibit internet and wholesale sales and should not override the amended law and current agency page. Some details on this page could not be fully confirmed from official sources, so check with the state agency before you sell.
Pricing your products
Knowing your real cost per item matters as much as following the law.
Try Oven Elf free →Source: https://dchealth.dc.gov/publication/cottage-food-businesses
General summary, not legal advice.
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