Sell Homemade Food in Washington — A Friendly 2026 Guide
Everything you need to start your home food business in Washington — what you can sell, what permits you need, where to register, and how to ship.
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$35,000/year (raised from $25,000 by HB 1500, 2023)
Revenue Limit
Annual limit under cottage food law
In-Person Only
Online Sales
Direct sales at markets and events
Yes
Permit Required
WSDA Cottage Food Operation Permit (valid 2 years) — $355
tightly regulated
Regulation Level
Washington is considered tightly regulated for home food
You've Got This — Here's How to Start
Selling food from home in Washington is easier than it sounds. Just follow these steps in order.
Read your state's rules (5 min)
Washington State Department of Agriculture (WSDA) explains everything you need to know about the Washington Cottage Food Operations Act (RCW 69.22; HB 1500, 2023 update).
Get your food handler card (online, ~$15)
Washington requires a food handler certification. Most people finish the online course in under two hours.
Apply for your wsda cottage food operation permit (valid 2 years) ($355)
Send your application to Washington State Department of Agriculture (WSDA). Most states approve within 2–4 weeks.
Schedule your kitchen inspection
Washington needs to inspect your home kitchen before you can sell. Your local health department will walk you through what to prep.
Print your labels
Every package needs a label with your name, ingredients, and a few other details. We list exactly what Washington requires below.
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Labels, receipts, and customer messaging — all in one place
What You Can Sell in Washington
baked goods
candy
jams
jellies
honey
dried fruits
popcorn
granola
spice blends
Prohibited Products
meat
dairy
canned low-acid foods
Rules can change — quickly check with Washington State Department of Agriculture (WSDA) before you start, just to be safe.
Washington Requirements Checklist
Here's what you need to start selling homemade food in Washington under the Washington Cottage Food Operations Act (RCW 69.22; HB 1500, 2023 update)
WSDA Cottage Food Operation Permit (valid 2 years) Required
Cost: $355. Apply through your state agriculture department.
Food Handler Certification Required
Available through online courses — typically $10–$15.
Kitchen Inspection Required
Your home kitchen must pass an inspection before you can begin selling.
What Goes on Your Label
Every package you sell needs a label. Here's exactly what Washington wants on it — copy this list.
Business name and WSDA permit number
Product name
Quantity by weight, volume, or item count
Ingredients in descending order of predominance by weight (including sub-ingredients)
Allergen disclosure per federal labeling rules
Statement in 11-point or larger type: 'Made in a home kitchen that has not been subject to standard inspection criteria.'
Ingredient list — listed in order from most to least
Washington requires you to list every ingredient on each package. Start with the heaviest ingredient and work your way down. Sub-ingredients (like "chocolate chips: cocoa, sugar, milkfat") go in parentheses.
Allergen disclosure — required
Clearly list any of the 9 major allergens your product contains: milk, eggs, wheat, soy, peanuts, tree nuts, fish, shellfish, and sesame. A simple line works: "Contains: wheat, eggs, milk."
What You Can Ship From Washington
Cookies, jams, dry mixes — these ship great from Washington. Here's what works.
Shelf-stable products that ship well
baked goods
candy
jams
honey
dried fruits
popcorn
granola
spice blends
Ship within Washington only
Washington restricts cottage food sales to direct, in-person transactions within Washington. Online sales, mail order, and interstate shipping are not allowed under the cottage food permit.
What can't ship
Anything that needs refrigeration — cheesecakes, custard pies, cream-filled pastries, fresh dairy, meat — can't be shipped under cottage food rules. Stick to dry, shelf-stable items for shipping. Local pickup and delivery still work great for everything else.
Ship Your Products Nationwide
Integrated with major carriers for reliable delivery
FedEx
USPS
UPS
Flat Rate Shipping
Weight-Based Pricing
Free Shipping Thresholds
Where You Can Sell in Washington
Direct Sales (from home)
Allowed in Washington
Online Sales (website)
Not permitted under Washington cottage food law
Farmers Markets
Allowed in Washington
Wholesale to Stores
Not permitted under Washington cottage food law
Start Your Home Food Business in Washington
Explore city-specific guides with local market data and business type recommendations
Farmers Markets in Washington
Washington allows cottage food sales at farmers markets — here are popular venues
Food Events in Washington
Bite of Seattle
Seattle Center's massive free food festival with 60+ local food vendors.
Visit WebsiteSeattle Restaurant Week
Citywide prix-fixe dining event highlighting Seattle's food scene.
Fremont Sunday Market
Weekly European-style flea and food market in the Fremont neighborhood.
Home Food Business Types in Washington
Start any of these home food businesses under the Washington Cottage Food Operations Act (RCW 69.22; HB 1500, 2023 update)
Start Your Washington Home Food Business — $4.99/month
Professional website, online ordering, payments, shipping, customer directory, and analytics — everything you need to comply with the Washington Cottage Food Operations Act (RCW 69.22; HB 1500, 2023 update) and grow your business.
Explore Cottage Food Laws in Other States
Moving or expanding beyond Washington? Compare the rules elsewhere.
About RestauNax for Home Food Businesses
RestauNax offers a $4.99/month platform for home food businesses, cottage food operators, home bakers, food influencers, and small food makers. The platform includes a professional website, online ordering, nationwide shipping (FedEx/USPS/UPS), Stripe payment processing, customer directory, multi-language support, and analytics — all with zero commission fees. RestauNax replaces expensive platforms like Castiron, Shopify, and Square Online for home food sellers at a fraction of the cost.