Help/Assistance

For assistance information and materials please visit https://agr.wa.gov/departments/food-safety/food-safety/cottage-food.

Other sources of help, information, and references:

The application packet gives the customer useful information and tools such as examples, helpful hints, links to other sites for further information, sample labels, recipes and floor plans, and best practices. A checklist of the requirements is included. An informational website walks the customer through the process , answers a customer's common questions, links them to outside resources, and addresses issues that might arise during the application process and how to correct them. The department also conducted a workshop where a customer reviewed their application one-on-one with a WSDA reviewer before submitting the application. WSDA will continue to conduct the workshops around the state where we identify customer needs. As stated on our website, we will also meet with the customer at any point, if requested.

Helpdesk phone:

(360) 902-1876

Subject matter expert contact information:

(360) 902-1876

cottagefoods@agr.wa.gov

Cottage Food Permit

Description/Purpose

The Cottage Food Operations law was enacted in 2011. The Cottage Food Operations Permit allows people to make low-risk food in their home kitchen and sell directly to consumers. The application includes a water test or water bill, business license, food worker card, recipes, and labels. The application must also include the following plans: floor plan, processing, packaging, cleaning and sanitation, production dates, sales plan, and child and pet management plan. Labels must follow the federal Food and Drug Administration (FDA) labeling guidelines. To protect public safety, WSDA reviews every ingredient in a recipe and label and the applicant often must correct recipes and labels to meet requirements. Once the application is complete, WSDA conducts an inspection of the home kitchen.

Triggers and activities which would require this permit

Activities including the making of baked goods, some fried foods, standardized jams, jellies, preserves & fruit butters, stovetop or microwave candies that are not potentially hazardous, vinegars, and dry mixes.

Explanation/Description of costs/fees, including statutory, regulatory, or other legal authority for fees

The permit fee is $230.

Application Information

The application is called 'Cottage Food Operation Permit' is online and can be accessed at https://agr.wa.gov/departments/food-safety/food-safety/cottage-food.

A complete application includes:

  • Water supply testing
  • Food workers card
  • Business license
  • Sketch of floor plan
  • Recipe, processing, packaging, labeling and production process
  • Cleaning and sanitation plan for equipment and utensils
  • Processing dates and sales plan
  • Child and pet management plans
  • Check or money order for fees

These attachments are described in the application packet: https://agr.wa.gov/departments/food-safety/food-safety/cottage-food

The applicant's home kitchen must pass an inspection.

Washington State Dept. of Agriculture
Food Safety & Consumer Services
P.O. Box 42591
Olympia, WA 98504-2591

Each permit will expire 1 year from the date it was issued on the last day of the month.

Upon notice by the Department to deny or revoke a permit, a person may request a hearing under Chapter 34.05 RCW, the Administrative Procedures Act.

Permit Timeliness Results

Permit Timeliness data collection is in response to a State Auditor’s Performance Audit and RCW 43.42A. Each regulatory agency developed a plan to improve permit clarity, predictability, and timeliness. Each agency considers the customers experience to ensure permit assistance is simple to use, easy to access, and designed in a customer-friendly manner. Agencies report progress to the Governor’s Office for Regulatory Innovation and Assistance (ORIA). ORIA prepares and distributes reports, with participation from the State Auditor’s Office and Results Washington. See latest report here: https://www.oria.wa.gov/ORIA-2020-PermitTimelinessProgressReport.pdf.

Estimated Time Required By the Agency to Process a Permit Application (Definition)
Average days from Receipt to Complete: 14.7
Maximum days from Receipt to Complete: 49

Estimated Time Required By the Agency to Issue a Permit Decision (Definition)
Average days from Complete Application to Decision: 41.7
Maximum days from Complete Application to Decision: 238


(Summary results based on 323 submittals in 2024)

Legal authority
Contacts
Washington State Department of Agriculture
Food Safety Program
1111 Washington Street SE
Olympia WA 98504
Email: foodsafety@agr.wa.gov
Website: http://agr.wa.gov
Telephone: (360) 902-1876
* Credential details last updated 1/10/2022
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