Why this matters
What District of Columbia actually allows — and what it doesn't.
D.C. Law 20-63 (2013 Cottage Food Amendment Act); amended by Law 23-61 (2020) to remove $25,000 cap and expand sales channels
Annual revenue cap
District of Columbia sets no cap on cottage food revenue.
Annual gross cap
Unlimited
Required label language
Every package carries a statutory disclaimer.
The disclaimer below must appear on every package, in the exact casing the statute specifies:
Required on every label
Made by a cottage food business that is not subject to the District of Columbia's food safety regulations
— D.C. Law 20-63 (amended by Law 23-61); D.C. Official Code § 7-742.01; DCMR Title 25-K
Sales channels
Where you can sell in District of Columbia — and where you can't.
Online ordering
YesYesShipping
YesYesSeller delivery
YesYesThird-party delivery (DoorDash, Uber Eats)
ConditionalConditionalInterstate sales
NoNoWholesale to retail stores
NoNoLicense, permit & registration
District of Columbia requires registration before you sell.
Do you need a cottage food license or permit in District of Columbia? Yes — District of Columbia wants you to register before selling. Here is what that path involves.
- Registration
Required
Type: cfpm
- Registration cost
$173
- Timeline
About 44 days
- Labeling standard
Standard
- Inspection
Required
- Food safety certification
Required
Type: cfpm
- Address privacy
Not available
Food categories
Foods the basic cottage food rules usually do not cover.
- Tcs
- Meat
- Poultry
- Dairy
- Eggs
- Fish
- Shellfish
- Cut Produce
- Filled Donuts
- Raw Honey
- Cannabis Cbd
How to start
Steps to a legal first sale in District of Columbia.
Confirm your products qualify
Compare your menu against District of Columbia's cottage food rules. Temperature-controlled, meat, seafood, and low-acid canned items often require a different path; check the state-specific food categories above.
Register with your state agency
District of Columbia requires cottage food operators to register before selling. Registration cost is $173. Expect about 44 days for processing.
District of Columbia registration portalComplete food safety certification
District of Columbia requires food safety training before you can sell cottage food. Type: cfpm.
Label every product correctly
Every label must include your name (or registered ID), product name, ingredients, allergens, and the statute-required disclaimer verbatim.
Start taking orders
District of Columbia allows online orders, in-state shipping, seller delivery. Route orders through your own channels.
Frequently asked
District of Columbia cottage food — your questions answered.
How to sell food from home in DC?
In the District you register as a cottage food business and complete a nationally accredited Certified Food Protection Manager (CFPM) credential before you start. There is no revenue cap, but sales stay within DC — interstate shipping is not permitted.
What kind of food can I sell from home in DC?
Two DC quirks shape the list: donuts must be unfilled, and raw honey is prohibited unless you register your apiary with the DC Department of Energy and Environment. Beyond that, shelf-stable items — baked goods, candies, jams, and dry goods — are fine, while all TCS foods (meat, poultry, dairy, eggs, cut produce, seafood) plus cannabis and CBD products are excluded. Anything not on the approved list needs pH or water-activity lab testing first.
What does it cost to start a cottage food business in DC?
Plan on roughly $276.60 up front: a $50 Cottage Food Registry fee (good for two years), a $122.60 Home Occupancy Permit, about $69 for the national CFPM certification, and a $35 DC CFPM ID card. After you apply, expect a 30-business-day review and a pre-operational inspection within 14 days of approval.
Where can I sell cottage food in DC, and what has to be on the label?
All sales stay within DC boundaries, and you can sell direct to customers but not to restaurants or grocery stores for resale. Every label must display your Cottage Food Business ID number, and if you sell by weight you'll need proof of calibrated scales.
District of Columbia cottage food laws: what is the short version?
District of Columbia requires cfpm before selling cottage food. The listed cost is $173. The cited state sources do not list a revenue cap. District of Columbia allows online orders, in-state shipping, seller delivery for cottage food sellers.
Do I need a cottage food license or permit in District of Columbia?
Yes. District of Columbia requires cfpm before selling cottage food. The listed cost is $173. Check the official state source before selling because local zoning, food safety training, or label rules may still apply.
What foods can I sell from home in District of Columbia?
District of Columbia's cottage food rules mainly cover foods that do not need time or temperature control for safety. Common no-go categories include tcs, meat, poultry, dairy, eggs.