Cottage food license cost in Indiana

Indiana does not require a state-issued permit for cottage food.

Source: Ind. Code ch. 16-42-5.3 (Home Based Food Products), Indiana Code 2026, §§ 16-42-5.3-3, 16-42-5.3-12 · Verified Oct 21, 2026

Home-based vendor production and sales are exempt from the requirements that apply to food establishments, and a local unit of government may not require any licensure, certification, or inspection of a home-based vendor's foods. IDOH: "HBVs do not require food permitting by law."

Source: Ind. Code ch. 16-42-5.3 (Home Based Food Products), Indiana Code 2026, §§ 16-42-5.3-3, 16-42-5.3-12 · Verified Oct 21, 2026

No permit, license, or registration. A home-based vendor must get a food handler certificate from an ANSI-accredited certificate issuer and give a copy to the local health department in the county where they live. Foods must be made at the vendor's primary residence, not need time or temperature control for safety, be prepared using proper sanitary procedures, be labeled, and be sold only to the end consumer in Indiana.

Source: Ind. Code ch. 16-42-5.3 (Home Based Food Products), Indiana Code 2026, §§ 16-42-5.3-4, 16-42-5.3-7 · Verified Oct 21, 2026

IDOH strongly encourages vendors to contact their local health department to confirm a product can be made under IC 16-42-5.3. HBV rules only exempt operators from food-related licensing and inspections; IDOH advises checking local zoning and municipal rules for home businesses.

Source: Ind. Code ch. 16-42-5.3 (Home Based Food Products), Indiana Code 2026, §§ 16-42-5.3-4, 16-42-5.3-7 · Verified Oct 21, 2026

Indiana requires food safety training.

Source: Ind. Code ch. 16-42-5.3 (Home Based Food Products), Indiana Code 2026, § 16-42-5.3-7 · Verified Oct 21, 2026

A home-based vendor must obtain a food handler certificate from an issuer accredited by the American National Standards Institute (ANSI), give a copy to the local health department in their county, and show it on request to IDOH or a customer.

Source: Ind. Code ch. 16-42-5.3 (Home Based Food Products), Indiana Code 2026, § 16-42-5.3-7 · Verified Oct 21, 2026

Indiana does not require a home kitchen inspection.

Source: Indiana Department of Health — Indiana Home-Based Vendor Handbook (Summer 2025) · Verified Oct 21, 2026

"HBVs are not subject to routine inspections or product sampling." A home-based vendor is subject to food sampling and inspection if IDOH finds a product misbranded or adulterated or receives a consumer complaint, and IDOH may order production and sales stopped for an imminent health hazard (Ind. Code § 16-42-5.3-8).

Source: Indiana Department of Health — Indiana Home-Based Vendor Handbook (Summer 2025) · Verified Oct 21, 2026

Indiana sets no overall annual sales cap for cottage food.

Source: Indiana Department of Health — Farm and Homestead Food Sales memorandum to local health departments (May 26, 2026) · Verified Oct 21, 2026

IDOH's comparison table lists home-based vendors with "No annual gross income restrictions"; Ind. Code ch. 16-42-5.3 sets no sales limit. The separate homestead vendor and small farm route (Ind. Code ch. 16-42-5.4) is limited to $1,500,000 in gross sales a year.

Source: Indiana Department of Health — Farm and Homestead Food Sales memorandum to local health departments (May 26, 2026) · Verified Oct 21, 2026