Why this matters
What Rhode Island actually allows — and what it doesn't.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 21-27-6.2; Rhode Island passed H 7123 in June 2022, becoming the last state in the nation to pass a cottage food law (effective November 2022)
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 Registrant that is not Subject to Routine Government Food Safety Inspection
— R.I. Gen. Laws § 21-27-6.2 (effective November 2022)
Sales channels
Where you can sell in Rhode Island — and where you can't.
Online ordering
YesYesShipping
YesYesSeller delivery
YesYesThird-party delivery (DoorDash, Uber Eats)
ConditionalConditionalInterstate sales
NoNoWholesale to retail stores
NoNoRegistration & permits
Rhode Island requires registration before you sell.
- Registration
Required
Type: cottage food registry
- Registration cost
$65
- Timeline
About 21 days
- Labeling standard
Standard
- Inspection
None
- Food safety certification
Required
Type: food handler
- Address privacy
Not available
Prohibited categories
What you can't sell under cottage food rules.
- Tcs
- Meat
- Poultry
- Dairy
- Eggs
- Fish
- Shellfish
- Cut Produce
- Jams Jellies Requiring Refrigeration
- Cakes Requiring Refrigeration
- Cream Filled
- Custard
- Cheese
How to start
Steps to a legal first sale in Rhode Island.
Confirm your products qualify
Verify your menu fits Rhode Island's cottage food rules. Most states restrict temperature-controlled, meat, seafood, and low-acid canned items; check the prohibited-foods list above.
Register with your state agency
Rhode Island requires cottage food operators to register before selling. Registration cost is $65. Expect about 21 days for processing.
Rhode Island registration portalComplete food safety certification
Rhode Island requires food safety training before you can sell cottage food. Type: food handler.
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
Rhode Island allows online orders, in-state shipping, seller delivery. Route orders through your own channels.