2026 guide
Cottage food laws in Washington (2026).
Sales caps, label requirements, shipping rules, and what you can sell from your home kitchen.
Annual cap
$35,000
Online orders
No
Shipping
No
Permit
Registration
The short version
You can sell up to $35,000 per year in Washington. 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 sales are not permitted — face-to-face only. Cottage Food Permit ($230 + inspection).
What you can sell in Washington
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 Washington must include
- Producer name & address
- Product name
- Ingredients
- Allergens
- Net weight
- Cottage Food permit number
- Made in a home kitchen that is not subject to routine government food safety inspection.
Skip the formatting headache.
Siftii auto-generates Washington-compliant labels from your recipes — ingredients in descending weight, allergen statements, the works.
Generate compliant labelsWhat if I exceed the $35,000 cap?
Crossing Washington'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 $35,000 cap and warns you before you cross it.
Frequently asked questions
+ What's the cottage food sales limit in Washington for 2026?
In 2026, Washington caps cottage food sales at $35,000 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 Washington?
Yes. Washington requires registration with the state before selling.
+ Can I ship baked goods from Washington?
No. Washington prohibits shipping cottage food. In-state delivery or in-person sales only.
+ Can I take online orders in Washington?
No. Washington requires face-to-face sales — no online orders.
+ What has to be on my label?
Washington requires: Producer name & address; Product name; Ingredients; Allergens; Net weight; Cottage Food permit number; 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 Washington Department of Agriculture or Health before selling.
Nearby states
Start tracking sales toward your Washington 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 Washington Department of Agriculture or Health before selling.