How much can a cottage food business make in Vermont?

Vermont limits cottage food operations to $125/day or $10,000/yr before licensing in gross annual sales.

Can you sell homemade baked goods online in Vermont?

Online sales: Limited. Shipping: Not allowed. Approved venues include Direct to consumer, Farmers markets, Retail (licensed), Events.

Vermont Cottage Food Laws

Q: Do you need a permit to sell baked goods from home in Vermont?

No license for home bakeries under the threshold. Vermont's exemption threshold is low, so most serious bakers end up licensed — which is straightforward and unlocks retail sales.

Vermont's exemption threshold is low, so most serious bakers end up licensed — which is straightforward and unlocks retail sales.

Fast facts

Permit: No license for home bakeries under the threshold
Annual sales cap: $125/day or $10,000/yr before licensing
Online sales: Limited
Shipping: Not allowed

What makes Vermont different

Home bakeries under the daily/annual threshold need no license
Above the threshold you get a home bakery license from the Health Department
Licensed home bakeries can sell wholesale

Where you can sell in Vermont

Direct to consumer
Farmers markets
Retail (licensed)
Events

What you can and can't make

Vermont follows the standard cottage food logic: shelf-stable items are in, anything needing refrigeration is out. Check the Vermont Department of Health / Agency of Agriculture product list for state-specific exceptions.

Generally allowed

Breads, rolls, biscuits and buns
Cakes, cupcakes and brownies (without cream-cheese or custard fillings)
Cookies, bars and biscotti
Fruit pies and fruit-filled pastries
Candy, brittle, fudge and chocolate-covered items
Dry mixes, granola, popcorn and roasted nuts
Jams, jellies and preserves made from high-acid fruit

Generally prohibited

Cheesecake and cream-cheese frostings or fillings
Custard, meringue, pudding and Bavarian-cream pies
Anything containing meat, poultry or seafood
Fresh-dairy items, ice cream and buttercream that requires refrigeration
Canned vegetables, salsas and other low-acid canned goods
Garlic-in-oil, pickled goods and fermented foods (in most states)
Kombucha, juices and other beverages requiring a process authority

Vermont labeling requirements

The name and physical address of your home kitchen business
The common name of the product
A full ingredient list in descending order by weight
Allergen declaration for the major allergens (milk, eggs, wheat, soy, peanuts, tree nuts, fish, shellfish, sesame)
Net weight or volume
A cottage food disclosure such as "Made in a home kitchen that is not subject to routine state inspection"

Official source for Vermont

Vermont Department of Health / Agency of Agriculture administers cottage food rules in Vermont.

Last verified: July 25, 2026

Visit Vermont Department of Health / Agency of Agriculture

Not legal advice. This summary is for general education. Confirm with Vermont Department of Health / Agency of Agriculture before you start selling.