Vermont Cottage Food Laws

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

Important information: Cottage food laws vary by state and may change. This guide is provided for general educational purposes and is not legal advice. Always confirm current requirements with your state's official regulatory agency before selling homemade food.

Checked against official Vermont sources on November 2, 2026: permit, sales cap and label statement. Anything not marked as checked is our summary — check with the Vermont Department of Health / Agency of Agriculture.

Fast facts

Permit
No license under the cottage food exemption (annual exemption filing) (checked)
Annual sales cap
$30,000/yr for cottage food (Act 42 of 2025) (checked)
Online sales
Limited (summary)
Shipping
Not allowed (summary)

What makes Vermont different

  • Act 42 (2025) exempts cottage food operators with up to $30,000 in annual gross receipts from licensing
  • Production must happen in the home kitchen of your private residence, and exemptions are filed each year
  • Other home food manufacturers have a separate exemption under $10,000 a year

Where you can sell in Vermont

  • Direct to consumer
  • Farmers markets
  • Retail (licensed)
  • Events

What you can and can't make

These lists describe what most cottage food laws allow and prohibit. They aren't Vermont's official product list: check the Vermont Department of Health / Agency of Agriculture for the foods Vermont actually allows.

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

Required statement, checked November 2, 2026:

Made in a home kitchen not inspected by the Vermont Department of Health

Most states require the elements below. Vermont's exact list may differ, so confirm it with the Vermont Department of Health / Agency of Agriculture.

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

Official source for Vermont

The Vermont Department of Health / Agency of Agriculture administers cottage food rules in Vermont. Their page is the authoritative, current version of everything summarized here.

Visit the Vermont Department of Health / Agency of Agriculture

Sources we checked on November 2, 2026:

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Cottage food laws in other states