Why this matters
What Illinois actually allows — and what it doesn't.
410 ILCS 625 (Home-to-Market Act, 2022 amendment of Illinois Food Handling Regulation Enforcement Act)
Annual revenue cap
Illinois 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
This product was produced in a home kitchen not inspected by a health department that may also process common food allergens. If you have safety concerns, contact your local health department.
— 410 ILCS 625 (Home-to-Market Act / Illinois Food Handling Regulation Enforcement Act)
Sales channels
Where you can sell in Illinois — and where you can't.
Online ordering
YesYesShipping
YesYesSeller delivery
YesYesThird-party delivery (DoorDash, Uber Eats)
NoNoInterstate sales
NoNoWholesale to retail stores
NoNoLicense, permit & registration
Illinois requires registration before you sell.
Do you need a cottage food license or permit in Illinois? Yes — Illinois wants you to register before selling. Here is what that path involves.
- Registration
Required
Type: registration
- Registration cost
$50
- Timeline
About 28 days
- Labeling standard
Standard
- Inspection
None
- Food safety certification
Required
Type: cfpm
- Address privacy
Available
Via registration id
Food categories
Foods the basic cottage food rules usually do not cover.
- Tcs
- Meat
- Poultry
- Fish
- Shellfish
- Dairy
- Eggs
- Pumpkin Pies
- Custard Pies
- Cheesecakes
- Cream Pies
- Garlic In Oil
- Low Acid Canned Goods
- Sprouts
- Cut Leafy Greens
- Cut Produce
- Wild Mushrooms
- Kombucha
How to start
Steps to a legal first sale in Illinois.
Confirm your products qualify
Compare your menu against Illinois'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
Illinois requires cottage food operators to register before selling. Registration cost is $50. Expect about 28 days for processing.
Illinois registration portalComplete food safety certification
Illinois 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
Illinois allows online orders, in-state shipping, seller delivery. Route orders through your own channels — third-party couriers are not permitted here.
Frequently asked
Illinois cottage food — your questions answered.
How much is a cottage food license in Illinois?
Illinois registers home sellers under the Home-to-Market Act, and the registration fee is modest — capped at $50 by statute, though it varies by county. There is no state revenue cap, and your registration number and municipality go on the label in place of your full home address.
Do I need food-safety certification to sell cottage food in Illinois?
Yes — before you register, Illinois requires a Certified Food Protection Manager (CFPM) credential, which means an ANSI-accredited course and exam. It runs about $100 to $200 and stays valid for five years. After that you register annually with your county health department, and processing takes roughly four weeks.
Can I ship cottage food or use delivery apps in Illinois?
You can sell and deliver online, but only within Illinois, and shipping is limited to non-perishable foods in tamper-evident packaging — interstate sales are prohibited. Third-party delivery apps are a gray area: the law isn't explicit about them and requires sales to be made by the owner, a family member, or an employee, so plan to handle delivery yourself.
Do local rules differ, like in Cook County?
The Home-to-Market Act sets the statewide framework, but home-rule counties such as Cook can add a local registration step on top of it. Check your county or city health department for any local requirement before you start selling.
Illinois cottage food laws: what is the short version?
Illinois requires registration before selling cottage food. The listed cost is $50. The cited state sources do not list a revenue cap. Illinois allows online orders, in-state shipping, seller delivery for cottage food sellers.
Do I need a cottage food license or permit in Illinois?
Yes. Illinois requires registration before selling cottage food. The listed cost is $50. 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 Illinois?
Illinois'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, fish, shellfish.