Cottage Food Law /US
A structured reference to state cottage food rules

Guide · Selling from home

Can I sell honey from home in Maryland?

Informational only, not legal advice.

It's unclear from Maryland's official list. Confirm with the state agency before producing.

This answer comes from Maryland's official guidance on honey, summarized below, rather than from its food lists alone.

MDH's FAQ says unflavored honey (including creamed honey) is considered a raw agricultural product and not a cottage food, and that flavored honey requires an on-farm home processing license or a processing license. Honey is regulated outside the cottage food rules rather than listed as allowed or banned.

Source: MDH Office of Food Protection — Cottage Food Frequently Asked Questions (Last Updated 11/2025), Q23 · Verified Oct 21, 2026

Selling honey in Maryland: permit, cost, and where to sell

Do I need a permit to sell honey from home in Maryland?

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

Source: Md. Code, Health–General § 21-330.1(b) · Verified Oct 21, 2026

The program is run by the Maryland Department of Health (MDH), Office of Food Protection.

Source: Maryland Department of Health — Maryland Cottage Food Businesses · Verified Oct 21, 2026

How much does a Maryland cottage food license cost?

Maryland does not charge a state cottage food license fee.

Source: MDH Office of Food Protection — Guidelines for Cottage Food Businesses (Last Updated 11/2025), Appendix C · Verified Oct 21, 2026

Is there a limit on how much I can sell in Maryland?

Maryland caps cottage food sales at $100,000 a year.

Source: 2026 Md. Laws ch. 320 (HB 535), amending Health–General § 21-301(b–1)(3) · Verified Oct 21, 2026

Where can I sell honey in Maryland?

In person: Yes; farmers markets: Yes; online orders within Maryland: Yes; shipping to other states: No; delivery within Maryland: Yes; sales to stores or for resale: Yes.

Source: COMAR 10.15.03.27 (Farmer's Market, Bake Sales, and Cottage Food Business), §A · Verified Oct 21, 2026

Cottage food products may be sold only in Maryland: directly to a consumer from a residence, at a farmer's market, at a bake sale, at a public event, by personal delivery, or by mail order or mail delivery; or to a licensed retail food store (grocery store, convenience store, retail market, retail bakery, or food cooperative) after MDH's written approval. MDH's FAQ says sales over the Internet are restricted to Maryland only, products may be mailed only within Maryland, and distributing across State lines is not permissible. Bake sales must be connected with a fundraising event. Retail food stores exclude restaurants, coffee shops, cafeterias, and businesses without a food license. Cottage foods cannot be produced onsite at a market or event, and local rules for farmers' markets and public events may apply.

Source: COMAR 10.15.03.27 (Farmer's Market, Bake Sales, and Cottage Food Business), §A · Verified Oct 21, 2026

Do I need training or a kitchen inspection in Maryland?

Maryland does not require food safety training.

Source: MDH Office of Food Protection — Cottage Food Frequently Asked Questions (Last Updated 11/2025), Q5 · Verified Oct 21, 2026

Maryland does not require a home kitchen inspection.

Source: MDH Office of Food Protection — Cottage Food Frequently Asked Questions (Last Updated 11/2025), Q6 · Verified Oct 21, 2026

Labeling honey in Maryland

Maryland's cited labeling rules list 9 requirements. The full list is in the Maryland labeling guide.

Source: Md. Code, Health–General § 21-330.1(c) · Verified Oct 21, 2026

Other foods in Maryland