Maryland cottage food laws
Last updated October 26, 2026. Rules change, so always confirm with the official Maryland source.
The law: Maryland Cottage Food Businesses; Health-General 21-301 and 21-330.1
What you can sell
Approved nonhazardous shelf-stable foods such as breads, cookies, cakes and qualifying frostings may be produced in a residential kitchen.
What you can't sell
Potentially hazardous foods needing temperature control and foods outside Maryland’s approved cottage-food categories are excluded. Confirm frostings and fillings with MDH.
Do you need a license or permit?
No cottage-food retail food service license is required. Sales to retail food stores require approved basic food safety training and MDH review/compliance letter.
Sales limits
Maximum annual cottage-food revenue is $100,000 effective October 1, 2026, under Chapter 320 (HB535). Older agency guidance and pending conforming regulations still show $50,000.
Where you can sell
In-state direct sales from home, markets, public events, personal delivery and mail delivery are allowed, as are approved retail-store sales. Interstate sales are prohibited; confirm online listings comply with in-state delivery restrictions.
Label requirements
Include business name/address or approved ID alternative, food name, ingredients, net quantity and allergens. In contrasting type at least 10 points state: “Made by a cottage food business that is not subject to Maryland’s food safety regulations.” Retail-store labels also need phone, email and production date.
Good to know
The enacted cap amendment is at https://mgaleg.maryland.gov/2026RS/Chapters_noln/CH_320_hb0535t.pdf. Retail-store and labeling requirements come from MDH’s 2025 cottage-food guidelines and labeling guide.
Pricing your products
Knowing your real cost per item matters as much as following the law.
Try Oven Elf free →Source: https://health.maryland.gov/phpa/OEHFP/OFPCHS/Pages/CottageFoods.aspx
General summary, not legal advice.
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