Why this matters
What Maryland actually allows — and what it doesn't.
MD Health-General Code Ann. § 21-330.1
Annual revenue cap
$50,000 a year.
Annual gross cap
$50,000
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
Made by a cottage food business that is not subject to Maryland's food safety regulations
— MD Health-General Code Ann. § 21-330.1
Sales channels
Where you can sell in Maryland — and where you can't.
Online ordering
YesYesShipping
YesYesSeller delivery
YesYesThird-party delivery (DoorDash, Uber Eats)
ConditionalConditionalInterstate sales
NoNoWholesale to retail stores
NoNoRegistration & permits
Maryland does not require state registration.
- Registration
Not required
- Timeline
About 14 days
- Labeling standard
HB8 Strict
- Inspection
None
- Food safety certification
Not required
- Address privacy
Available
Via state unique id
Prohibited categories
What you can't sell under cottage food rules.
- Tcs
- Meat
- Poultry
- Dairy
- Eggs
- Fish
- Shellfish
- Cut Produce
- Canned Vegetables
- Pickled Eggs
- Cream Cheese
How to start
Steps to a legal first sale in Maryland.
Confirm your products qualify
Verify your menu fits Maryland's cottage food rules. Most states restrict temperature-controlled, meat, seafood, and low-acid canned items; check the prohibited-foods list above.
Optional: register for address privacy
Maryland does not require registration, but offers an optional ID that replaces your home address on labels.
Agency pageLabel 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
Maryland allows online orders, in-state shipping, seller delivery. Route orders through your own channels.