2026 guide
Cottage food laws in Delaware (2026).
Sales caps, label requirements, shipping rules, and what you can sell from your home kitchen.
Annual cap
$40,000
Online orders
Allowed
Shipping
No
Permit
Registration
The short version
You can sell up to $40,000 per year in Delaware. Cross that and you'll need a commercial kitchen or a higher-tier license. Shipping is not allowed — in-state delivery or in-person only. Online orders are fine. Farmers markets, roadside stands, and direct delivery.
What you can sell in Delaware
Cottage food laws generally allow non-potentially-hazardous foods — items that don't require refrigeration for safety. Common allowed items include:
- Cookies, brownies, biscotti
- Breads, rolls, bagels
- Cakes (no cream/custard fillings)
- Pies (fruit, not cream)
- Jams, jellies, fruit butters
- Granola, trail mix, candy
- Dry mixes & spice blends
- Roasted coffee beans
Items requiring refrigeration (cream pies, cheesecakes, meat) are typically prohibited. Confirm specifics with your state agency.
Every label in Delaware must include
- Producer name & address
- Product name
- Ingredients
- Allergens
- Net weight
- Made in a home kitchen that is not subject to routine government food safety inspection.
Skip the formatting headache.
Siftii auto-generates Delaware-compliant labels from your recipes — ingredients in descending weight, allergen statements, the works.
Generate compliant labelsWhat if I exceed the $40,000 cap?
Crossing Delaware's annual cap typically means moving to a commercial kitchen, getting a wholesale food manufacturer license, or splitting your business. The state can audit — keep clean sales records. Siftii tracks your year-to-date total against the $40,000 cap and warns you before you cross it.
Frequently asked questions
+ What's the cottage food sales limit in Delaware for 2026?
In 2026, Delaware caps cottage food sales at $40,000 per year. Exceed it and you need a commercial kitchen or higher-tier license.
+ Do I need a permit to sell baked goods from home in Delaware?
Yes. Delaware requires registration with the state before selling.
+ Can I ship baked goods from Delaware?
No. Delaware prohibits shipping cottage food. In-state delivery or in-person sales only.
+ Can I take online orders in Delaware?
Yes. You can take orders online for in-person pickup or delivery (and shipping where allowed).
+ What has to be on my label?
Delaware requires: Producer name & address; Product name; Ingredients; Allergens; Net weight; Made in a home kitchen that is not subject to routine government food safety inspection..
+ Is this legal advice?
No. This page summarizes public guidance. Confirm details with the Delaware Department of Agriculture or Health before selling.
Nearby states
Start tracking sales toward your Delaware cap.
Siftii is the bakery OS for cottage operators — orders, labels, sales tracking, and compliance, all in one place. Free to start.
Create a free accountInformational only — not legal advice. Last reviewed 2026. Verify with the Delaware Department of Agriculture or Health before selling.