Why this matters
What Maine actually allows — and what it doesn't.
Maine's cottage food law operates under Title 22 §2167 (food establishment licensing) with implementing rules in 01-001 CMR Ch. 345 (Home Food Manufacturing). A separate pathway exists under Title 7 Ch. 8-F (Food Sovereignty Act), allowing municipalities to pass local ordinances.
Annual revenue cap
Maine sets no cap on cottage food revenue.
Annual gross cap
Unlimited
Sales channels
Where you can sell in Maine — and where you can't.
Online ordering
YesYesShipping
YesYesSeller delivery
YesYesThird-party delivery (DoorDash, Uber Eats)
ConditionalConditionalInterstate sales
NoNoWholesale to retail stores
NoNoRegistration & permits
Maine requires registration before you sell.
- Registration
Required
Type: license
- Registration cost
$20
- Timeline
About 30 days
- Labeling standard
Standard
- Inspection
Required
- Food safety certification
Not required
- Address privacy
Not available
Food categories
What usually sits outside this cottage food lane.
- Tcs
- Meat
- Poultry
- Dairy
- Eggs
- Fish
- Shellfish
- Cut Produce
- Cream Fillings
- Custard
- Low Acid Canned Goods
- Pressure Canned Foods
- Dried Meat Jerky
- Fermented Foods
How to start
Steps to a legal first sale in Maine.
Confirm your products qualify
Compare your menu against Maine'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
Maine requires cottage food operators to register before selling. Registration cost is $20. Expect about 30 days for processing.
Maine registration portalLabel every product correctly
Every label must include your name (or registered ID), product name, ingredients, and allergens per Maine rules.
Start taking orders
Maine allows online orders, in-state shipping, seller delivery. Route orders through your own channels.
Frequently asked
Maine cottage food — your questions answered.
What license do I need to sell home-manufactured food in Maine?
A Home Food Manufacturing License from the state under 22 M.R.S. § 2167 and 01-001 CMR Ch. 345 — $20 annual fee, with a mandatory home kitchen inspection within 30 days of application. Once licensed, there's no revenue cap.
What's the Food Sovereignty Act path?
Maine's Food Sovereignty Act (Title 7 Ch. 8-F) lets individual municipalities pass local ordinances permitting unlicensed direct sales at home. About 113 municipalities — roughly 30% of Maine towns, covering around 295,000 residents — have adopted it. It's limited to home-only direct sales and does NOT replace the state license if you want to sell at farmers' markets, retail, or online.
Can I sell at farmers' markets or online?
Yes, with a Home Food Manufacturing License. Farmers' markets require a separate mobile vendor license. Online sales and in-state delivery are both allowed. Interstate shipping is explicitly prohibited.
What do I need to test?
Acidified foods (pickles, chocolate sauces, low-sugar jams) need pH testing and recipe approval. If you aren't on municipal water, you need private well water testing. Food safety training isn't mandated by Maine state law but is recommended.
What can I not sell?
All TCS foods, cream and custard fillings, cream cheese frosting, low-acid canned goods, pressure-canned items, dried meat or jerky, and raw dough. Physical home address is required on labels — Maine has no address-privacy mechanism.
Maine cottage food laws: what is the short version?
Maine requires license before selling cottage food. The listed cost is $20. There is no state revenue cap in the current data. Maine allows online orders, in-state shipping, seller delivery for cottage food sellers in the current data.
Do I need a cottage food license in Maine?
Yes. Maine requires license before selling cottage food. The listed cost is $20. 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 Maine?
Maine'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.