Idaho cottage food laws
Last updated October 23, 2026. Rules change, so always confirm with the official Idaho source.
The law: Idaho Direct-to-Consumer Commerce Act (Idaho Code §§ 37-201 to 37-208, Senate Bill 1283, effective March 20, 2026). Replaces the earlier cottage food rule in IDAPA 16.02.19.
What you can sell
Homemade shelf-stable foods and perishable foods, plus nonalcoholic drinks, made in a home kitchen, farm, or other unlicensed facility. Baked goods, candies, jams, honey, dried goods and similar items qualify. Limited poultry, rabbit, farm-raised fish and inspected meat sales are allowed under specific conditions.
What you can't sell
Food prepared or served on-site for immediate eating (restaurants, food trucks). Most uninspected meat. Raw milk and dairy rules are unchanged by this law. Resale through retail grocery stores is not allowed.
Do you need a license or permit?
No food establishment license, permit, or inspection is required, and local health districts cannot add their own food safety rules for these sales. You still need an Idaho sales tax permit and may need a city or county business license. Keeping basic records is recommended: product, dates of production and sale, quantity, and where it and its ingredients came from.
Sales limits
No dollar cap on sales in the statute. Every sale must be made directly to an informed end consumer, and all production, sale and delivery must happen entirely within Idaho (no interstate sales).
Where you can sell
From your home, farm or ranch; farm stands; farmers markets; cooperative or consignment markets; through a designated agent named in writing; personal delivery. Online or phone orders are fine as long as the sale and delivery stay within Idaho.
Label requirements
You must tell the buyer the product is not subject to inspection or licensing. Use a clearly displayed sign, a label on the product, or a card given to the buyer with the statement required by Idaho Code § 37-205(3), which begins: "This product is not subject to government food safety inspection or licensing requirements…" Copy the full wording from the statute.
Good to know
No food safety test is required, but the law does not remove your liability for unsafe food. Follow safe handling guidance from the Idaho Department of Health and Welfare.
Pricing your products
Knowing your real cost per item matters as much as following the law.
Try Oven Elf free →Source: https://legislature.idaho.gov/statutesrules/idstat/title37/t37ch2/sect37-205/
General summary, not legal advice.
← All states