Why this matters
What Kentucky actually allows — and what it doesn't.
Kentucky permits cottage food sales under KRS § 217.136 (Home-Based Food Processors, HB 263). Annual sales are capped at $60,000. Registration with a state agency is required before you can sell.
Annual revenue cap
$60,000 a year.
Annual gross cap
$60,000
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 is home-produced and processed
— KRS § 217.136 (Home-Based Food Processors, HB 263)
Sales channels
Where you can sell in Kentucky — and where you can't.
Online ordering
YesYesShipping
NoFederal restriction on uninspected food crossing state lines.
Seller delivery
YesYesThird-party delivery (DoorDash, Uber Eats)
NoNoInterstate sales
NoNoWholesale to retail stores
NoNoLicense, permit & registration
Kentucky requires registration before you sell.
Do you need a cottage food license or permit in Kentucky? Yes — Kentucky 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
Not required
- Address privacy
Not available
Food categories
Foods the basic cottage food rules usually do not cover.
- Tcs
- Meat
- Poultry
- Fish
- Shellfish
- Dairy
- Cream Cheese Frostings
- Custards
- Eggs
- Cream Pies
- Cheesecakes
- Cooked Vegetables
- Garlic In Oil
- Beverages
- Cannabis Cbd
How to start
Steps to a legal first sale in Kentucky.
Confirm your products qualify
Compare your menu against Kentucky'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
Kentucky requires cottage food operators to register before selling. Registration cost is $50. Expect about 28 days for processing.
Kentucky registration portalLabel 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
Kentucky allows online orders, seller delivery. Route orders through your own channels — third-party couriers are not permitted here.
Frequently asked
Kentucky cottage food — your questions answered.
How much is a food license in Kentucky?
Kentucky registers home sellers as Home-Based Processors for about $50, with a $60,000 annual sales cap. A separate Home-Based Microprocessor path covers acidified and canned goods like pickles and salsas. Shelf-stable baked goods fall under the basic processor path.
What kind of food can I sell from home in Kentucky?
Kentucky's Home-Based Processor program lets you prepare non-potentially-hazardous foods — baked goods, candies, jams, and dry mixes — up to a $60,000 gross cap, while specialty acidified foods that need pH control run through the separate Microprocessor program. Off the list are TCS items: meat, poultry, fish, seafood, dairy, cream and custard pies, and cheesecakes, plus kombucha, cannabis, and pet food.
Do I have to get my recipes approved in Kentucky?
Yes — this is Kentucky's unusual requirement. Each recipe must be submitted to the University of Kentucky for approval at $5 per recipe, and any modification means resubmitting with another $5 fee. A typical startup runs the $50 application fee plus $5 per recipe, so five recipes comes to about $75.
Can I ship cottage food or sell it in stores in Kentucky?
No. Kentucky limits Home-Based Processor sales to direct-to-consumer transactions at farmers markets, home, and events, so shipping and mail order are prohibited, interstate sales are prohibited, and products may not be sold through retail stores or restaurants. Online ordering itself is allowed, as long as the handoff happens in person.
Kentucky cottage food laws: what is the short version?
Kentucky requires registration before selling cottage food. The listed cost is $50. The annual gross sales cap is $60,000. Kentucky allows online orders, seller delivery for cottage food sellers.
Do I need a cottage food license or permit in Kentucky?
Yes. Kentucky 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 Kentucky?
Kentucky'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.