Why this matters
What New York actually allows — and what it doesn't.
Agriculture & Markets Law Article 20-C; 1 CRR-NY 276.4 (Home Processor Exemption)
Annual revenue cap
New York sets no cap on cottage food revenue.
Annual gross cap
Unlimited
Sales channels
Where you can sell in New York — and where you can't.
Online ordering
YesYesShipping
NoFederal restriction on uninspected food crossing state lines.
Seller delivery
YesYesThird-party delivery (DoorDash, Uber Eats)
ConditionalConditionalInterstate sales
NoNoWholesale to retail stores
NoNoLicense, permit & registration
New York requires registration before you sell.
Do you need a cottage food license or permit in New York? Yes — New York wants you to register before selling. Here is what that path involves.
- Registration
Required
Type: registration
- Timeline
About 14 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
- Dairy
- Eggs
- Fish
- Shellfish
- Cut Produce
- Chocolate
- Chocolate Dipped
- Cream Filled Pastries
- Fruit Vegetable Breads
- Pickles
- Fermented Foods
- Acidified Foods
- Raw Nuts
- No Bake Items
- Beverages
How to start
Steps to a legal first sale in New York.
Confirm your products qualify
Compare your menu against New York'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
New York requires cottage food operators to register before selling. Registration is free. Expect about 14 days for processing.
New York registration portalLabel every product correctly
Every label must include your name (or registered ID), product name, ingredients, and allergens per New York rules.
Start taking orders
New York allows online orders, seller delivery. Route orders through your own channels.
Frequently asked
New York cottage food — your questions answered.
Do you need a permit to sell food in New York?
New York uses a free Home Processor Exemption (registration) under Agriculture & Markets Law Article 20-C, with no revenue cap. It covers shelf-stable foods; some items like certain chocolates are restricted. Registration keeps you compliant while selling direct and online.
Can you sell food out of your house in New York?
Yes, once your Home Processor Exemption is approved. Beyond direct sales, New York lets you wholesale to restaurants, stores, and cafes. Online sales guidance is ambiguous — some sources say pickup only, others allow in-state shipping — so the safe approach is to keep sales in-state until you confirm your situation.
What kind of food can I sell from home in New York?
New York is picky on product details: chocolate is explicitly prohibited, including chocolate-dipped items and chocolate melting or tempering, and fruit or vegetable breads like banana and zucchini bread are not allowed. Also off the list are raw nuts, cream-filled pastries, pickles, fermented and acidified foods, and "no-bake" items. Hard candy, toffee, and caramels are allowed, and there is no revenue cap.
How does New York's Home Processor Exemption registration work?
Registration is free and one-time — it never expires and is tied to your location — but the application is mail-only with no online option, and approval takes about two weeks. No inspection or training is required, though private well water testing is needed if that is your water source.
Which ingredients must be commercially processed for New York cottage foods?
New York requires commercially-processed ingredients for dried herbs and spices, baking mixes, soup mixes, dried fruit and vegetables, and roasted nuts — you cannot home-process these items. Raw nuts are prohibited outright, so any nuts you use must be commercially roasted.
New York cottage food laws: what is the short version?
New York requires registration before selling cottage food. The cited state sources do not list a revenue cap. New York allows online orders, seller delivery for cottage food sellers.
Do I need a cottage food license or permit in New York?
Yes. New York requires registration before selling cottage food. 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 New York?
New York'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, dairy, eggs.