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
NoNoRegistration & permits
District of Columbia requires registration before you sell.
- 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
What usually sits outside this cottage food lane.
- 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 lane. 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 much does it cost to start selling cottage food in DC?
About $276.60 in fees upfront: $50 Cottage Food Registry (2-year term) + $122.60 DCRA Home Occupancy Permit + ~$69 national CFPM certification + $35 DC CFPM ID card. Plus you need a pre-operational inspection within 14 days of application approval, and application review runs 30 business days.
Is there a revenue cap?
No. Law 23-61 (2020) removed the original $25,000 cap from D.C. Law 20-63. Sales are now unlimited.
Can I sell my products outside DC?
No. Sales are limited to within DC boundaries only. You also cannot sell to restaurants or grocery stores — those are retail food establishments and off-limits for cottage food.
What's the unusual prohibition I should know?
Donuts must be UNFILLED. Filled donuts are prohibited. Also, raw honey requires separate apiary registration with the DC Department of Energy and Environment under the Sustainable Urban Agriculture Apiculture Act of 2012. Any product not on DC's approved list requires pH/water activity lab testing before it can be considered.
What do labels need?
Your Cottage Food Business ID number must appear on all labels (DC specifically tracks operators this way), along with standard cottage food fields. If you're selling by weight, you need proof of calibrated scales as part of the registration file.
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. There is no state revenue cap in the current data. District of Columbia allows online orders, in-state shipping, seller delivery for cottage food sellers in the current data.
Do I need a cottage food cfpm 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 lane is mainly for foods that do not need time or temperature control for safety. Common no-go categories include tcs, meat, poultry, dairy, eggs.