VA Cottage food law
Virginia cottage food law
Virginia home food processing exemptions. Administered by Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (VDACS), Food Safety Program.
- Permit
- No permit or inspection for exempt home food processing, though other laws still apply.
- Sales cap
- No limit for low-risk foods; $9,000 a year for acidified vegetables (pH 4.6 or below); 250 gallons a year for honey.
- Where you can sell
- Within Virginia to individuals for their own use, in person, by phone, internet, mail or delivery service. No retail establishments or resale.
Confirm with Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services. This is a summary of the official guidance listed under Sources, checked September 29, 2026. Official page
What you can make
Unfilled, untopped baked goods, candies, cereals, nuts, dried fruits, dried pasta, granola, jams and jellies, popcorn, roasted coffee, trail mixes, vinegars; pickles and acidified vegetables at pH 4.6 or below; pure honey from your own hives.
What you can't
Baked goods with fresh fruit, custard, cream cheese or fresh vegetable toppings; anything needing refrigeration; infused honey and other honey products; sales across state lines.
Label requirements
- "NOT FOR RESALE — PROCESSED AND PREPARED WITHOUT STATE INSPECTION" (low-risk foods and acidified vegetables)
- Honey: "PROCESSED AND PREPARED WITHOUT STATE INSPECTION. WARNING: Do Not Feed Honey to Infants Under One Year Old."
Outgrowing your home kitchen
We don't have Virginia kitchen listings yet. If you run a commercial kitchen that rents time, add it for free.
Questions people ask
Do I need a permit to sell food from home in Virginia?
No permit or inspection for exempt home food processing, though other laws still apply.
How much can I sell under Virginia's cottage food law?
No limit for low-risk foods; $9,000 a year for acidified vegetables (pH 4.6 or below); 250 gallons a year for honey.
Where can I sell cottage food in Virginia?
Within Virginia to individuals for their own use, in person, by phone, internet, mail or delivery service. No retail establishments or resale.
What happens when I outgrow the cottage food law?
If you pass the sales cap or want to make foods the law excludes, you'll need a licensed kitchen. Renting time in a shared commercial kitchen is the usual next step.
Sources
Last checked September 29, 2026.