WI Cottage food law
Wisconsin cottage food law
Wisconsin home-canned foods exemption ("Pickle Bill"). Administered by Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection (DATCP).
- Permit
- No license for qualifying home-canned foods; you remain liable for what you sell. DATCP's page covers home-canned foods only, not home-baked goods.
- Sales cap
- No more than $5,000 per year per person (home-canned foods).
- Where you can sell
- Direct to consumers only at community or social events, flea markets or farmers markets in Wisconsin. Not from your home, not wholesale, not on consignment, not online, not out of state.
Confirm with Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection. This is a summary of the official guidance listed under Sources, checked September 29, 2026. Official page
What you can make
Home-canned fruits and vegetables that are naturally acidic or acidified by pickling or fermenting, at pH 4.6 or lower: pickles, salsas, sauerkraut, jams, preserved fruits.
What you can't
Fruits or vegetables above pH 4.6; fish, meat, pickled eggs, lemon curd, pesto and dressings regardless of pH.
Label requirements
- "This product was made in a private home not subject to state licensing or inspection."
- Sign at point of sale: "These canned goods are homemade and not subject to state inspection."
Outgrowing your home kitchen
We don't have Wisconsin 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 Wisconsin?
No license for qualifying home-canned foods; you remain liable for what you sell. DATCP's page covers home-canned foods only, not home-baked goods.
How much can I sell under Wisconsin's cottage food law?
No more than $5,000 per year per person (home-canned foods).
Where can I sell cottage food in Wisconsin?
Direct to consumers only at community or social events, flea markets or farmers markets in Wisconsin. Not from your home, not wholesale, not on consignment, not online, not out of state.
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.