Why this matters
What Wisconsin actually allows — and what it doesn't.
Wisconsin "Kivirist Exceptions" (2010) for baked goods; Wisconsin Act 101 "Pickle Bill" (2009) for home-canned goods
Current Law — Two Separate Tracks:
Baked Goods: UNLIMITED revenue cap, NO registration, NO fees, NO inspection; direct sales (farmers markets, home, events, online/mail order within Wisconsin)
Canned Goods (Act 101): $5,000/year cap, farmers markets & community events ONLY (NO online/mail order); allowed products include pickled fruits/vegetables (pH ≤4.6), salsas, chutneys, sauerkraut, kimchi, jams, jellies, applesauce
Annual revenue cap
Wisconsin sets no cap on cottage food revenue.
Annual gross cap
Unlimited
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
This product was made in a home not subject to state licensing or inspection.
— Wisconsin 'Kivirist Exceptions' (2010) for baked goods; Wisconsin Act 101 'Pickle Bill' (2009) for home-canned goods
Sales channels
Where you can sell in Wisconsin — and where you can't.
Online ordering
YesYesShipping
YesYesSeller delivery
YesYesThird-party delivery (DoorDash, Uber Eats)
ConditionalConditionalInterstate sales
NoNoWholesale to retail stores
NoNoRegistration & permits
Wisconsin does not require state registration.
- Registration
Not required
- Labeling standard
Standard
- Inspection
None
- Food safety certification
Not required
- Address privacy
Not available
Food categories
What usually sits outside this cottage food lane.
- Tcs
- Dairy
- Cheese
- Cream Cheese Frosting
- Custards
- Meat
- Poultry
- Fish
- Shellfish
- Low Acid Canned Goods
- Cream Filled Baked Goods
- Custard Filled Baked Goods
How to start
Steps to a legal first sale in Wisconsin.
Confirm your products qualify
Compare your menu against Wisconsin'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.
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
Wisconsin allows online orders, in-state shipping, seller delivery. Route orders through your own channels.
Frequently asked
Wisconsin cottage food — your questions answered.
Why does Wisconsin have two separate cottage food tracks?
Historical sequence. The "Pickle Bill" (Wisconsin Act 101, 2009) came first, covering home-canned goods — pickled fruits and vegetables (pH ≤4.6), salsas, chutneys, sauerkraut, kimchi, jams, jellies, applesauce — with a $5,000/year cap and sales restricted to farmers' markets and community events only. The Kivirist Exceptions (2010) came next, covering baked goods with UNLIMITED revenue, no registration, no fees, and direct sales including online and in-state mail order. Neither track has ever been merged.
Can I sell canned goods online?
No. Under the Pickle Bill (Act 101), canned goods can ONLY be sold at farmers' markets and community events — no online orders, no mail order, no shipping. Baked goods CAN be sold online and shipped within Wisconsin under the Kivirist Exceptions.
Do I need to register for either track?
No. Neither the Pickle Bill nor the Kivirist Exceptions require state registration or licensing. Home-canned goods must follow approved recipes or pH testing.
Is there pending legislation?
Yes, and it's contested. SB 739 / AB 748 (introduced December 12, 2025; public hearing January 20, 2026) would create a new two-tier system: Tier 1 ($10,000 cap, display sign required) and Tier 2 ($40,000 cap with REQUIRED liability insurance, food safety course, registration fee, and home inspections). The Wisconsin Farmers Union and Wisconsin Cottage Food Association strongly oppose, arguing the bill would make Wisconsin's law "one of the most restrictive in the nation." As of February 2026, the bill has NOT passed.
What foods can't I sell?
Dairy (cheese, milk, cream cheese frostings, custards), meat/poultry/seafood in canned goods, low-acid canned foods, baked goods with cream/custard fillings, foods containing meat/eggs/dairy in canned products. Interstate sales are prohibited.
Wisconsin cottage food laws: what is the short version?
Wisconsin does not require state registration for the cottage food lane. There is no state revenue cap in the current data. Wisconsin allows online orders, in-state shipping, seller delivery for cottage food sellers in the current data.
Do I need a cottage food license in Wisconsin?
Not for the cottage food lane in the current data. Wisconsin may still have label, food-category, local zoning, or other business rules, so check the official source before you sell.
What foods can I sell from home in Wisconsin?
Wisconsin's cottage food lane is mainly for foods that do not need time or temperature control for safety. Common no-go categories include tcs, dairy, cheese, cream cheese frosting, custards.