Why this matters
What Vermont actually allows — and what it doesn't.
Vermont's cottage food program operates under 18 V.S.A. §§4301, 4353, 4358 (exemptions), with major expansion via Act 42 (H.401) effective July 1, 2025.
Act 42 Changes (July 1, 2025):
Revenue cap tripled: From $10,000 to $30,000 gross annual sales
Unified cap: Previously separate $10K cottage food + $10K other processed foods; now single $30K cap for cottage food operations
Annual revenue cap
$30,000 a year.
Annual gross cap
$30,000
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 in a home kitchen not inspected by the Vermont Department of Health
— 18 V.S.A. §4301 (definitions); 18 V.S.A. §4353 (licensing); 18 V.S.A. §4358 (exemptions); Act 42 (H.401, effective July 1, 2025)
Sales channels
Where you can sell in Vermont — and where you can't.
Online ordering
YesYesShipping
YesYesSeller delivery
YesYesThird-party delivery (DoorDash, Uber Eats)
ConditionalConditionalInterstate sales
NoNoWholesale to retail stores
NoNoLicense, permit & registration
Vermont requires registration before you sell.
Do you need a cottage food license or permit in Vermont? Yes — Vermont wants you to register before selling. Here is what that path involves.
- Registration
Required
Type: cottage food registry
- Labeling standard
Standard
- Inspection
None
- Food safety certification
Required
Type: state specific
- Address privacy
Not available
Food categories
Foods the basic cottage food rules usually do not cover.
- Tcs
- Meat
- Poultry
- Fish
- Shellfish
- Eggs
- Dairy
- Cut Produce
- Cooked Rice Beans Vegetables
- Low Acid Canned Goods
How to start
Steps to a legal first sale in Vermont.
Confirm your products qualify
Compare your menu against Vermont'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
Vermont requires cottage food operators to register before selling. Registration is free.
Vermont registration portalComplete food safety certification
Vermont requires food safety training before you can sell cottage food. Type: state specific.
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
Vermont allows online orders, in-state shipping, seller delivery. Route orders through your own channels.
Frequently asked
Vermont cottage food — your questions answered.
Do you need a license to sell food in Vermont?
Vermont's cottage food registration is free, with a $30,000 annual cap, and Act 42 (2025) updated the rules. Registration lets you sell shelf-stable foods directly, online, and shipped in-state. Exceeding $30,000 moves you toward a licensed path.
Do you need a permit to sell food on Facebook in Vermont?
No special permit — selling registered cottage foods on Facebook Marketplace or other social platforms is fine, because the platform does not change the underlying rules. You still register and follow labeling. See our guide to selling food on Facebook Marketplace.
What are the laws for home bakers in Vermont?
Home bakers register for free on the cottage food registry, sell shelf-stable baked goods up to $30,000 a year, and follow the labeling rules. Act 42 (2025) is the most recent update. Temperature-controlled foods are excluded.
What foods can I sell under Vermont's cottage food exemption?
Vermont's list covers non-potentially-hazardous items: baked goods, candy, jams and jellies, dry herbs, flavored vinegar, coffee, tea, granola, and popcorn. All TCS foods are excluded — meat, poultry, fish, shellfish, eggs, dairy, and even cooked plant foods like rice, beans, and vegetables — along with low-acid canned goods.
What label and training does Vermont require for cottage food?
Every Vermont cottage food label must read "Made in a home kitchen not inspected by the Vermont Department of Health." Since Act 42 took effect on July 1, 2025, a free online training is also mandatory for all cottage food operators, alongside the free annual exemption filing. Neither the filing nor the training carries a fee.
Vermont cottage food laws: what is the short version?
Vermont requires cottage food registry before selling cottage food. The annual gross sales cap is $30,000. Vermont allows online orders, in-state shipping, seller delivery for cottage food sellers.
Do I need a cottage food license or permit in Vermont?
Yes. Vermont requires cottage food registry 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 Vermont?
Vermont'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.