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Cottage food by state

Virginia cottage food law: what you can sell and how

Virginia lets you make certain low-risk foods, acidified vegetables and honey at home without inspection or a permit, under section 3.2-5130 of the Virginia Food and Drink Law.

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Updated November 2026 by the Madeline's team, who set these tools up for makers and farms.

The short version

Virginia's home food processing exemption covers low-risk foods like baked goods, candies, jams and jellies, plus acidified vegetables and pure honey, with no inspection, permit or fee. Exempt products are sold only within Virginia to individuals for their own use. Acidified vegetables are capped at $9,000 a year in gross sales. Want to sell more widely? Apply for a VDACS home food processing permit.

Virginia rules at a glance

  1. Who regulates

    Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (VDACS) Food Safety Program.

  2. Exemption or permit

    The exemption needs no inspection, permit or fee. Outside the exemption, home processors can apply for a VDACS permit with inspection and a $40 annual fee.

  3. Low-risk foods

    Baked goods, candies, jams and jellies that are not low-acid or acidified, dried fruits, dry herbs and mixes, nuts, vinegars, popcorn, dried pasta, roasted coffee, dried tea, cereals and granola, as long as none need time or temperature control.

  4. Acidified vegetables

    Pickles, relishes, chow-chow and acidified salsa with a finished pH of 4.6 or below. Gross sales capped at $9,000 a year. Hot sauces, barbecue sauces and pepper jelly do not qualify.

  5. Honey

    Pure honey from your own hives, under 250 gallons a year.

  6. Where you can sell

    Only within Virginia, to individuals for their own consumption. Not for resale, consignment, to other businesses or across state lines. Check the current VDACS FAQ on online sales for each product type.

  7. Labels

    Your name, address and phone number, the date processed, and the statement NOT FOR RESALE followed by PROCESSED AND PREPARED WITHOUT STATE INSPECTION on the front panel, plus standard labeling.

Check the source

  • Official source

    VDACS: Home Food Processing Exemptions FAQ

    Rules change. Confirm the current figures and forms with the state before you start selling.

    Open the official page

  • Cottage food to commercial kitchen

    What changes when you outgrow the limits.

    Read the guide

  • Free tool

    Cost per jar calculator

    Price your cottage food products from what they really cost.

    Use the calculator

  • Food label requirements

    What a packaged food label needs, including allergens.

    Read the guide

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Questions

Does Virginia require a permit for cottage food?

Not for foods covered by the home food processing exemption. Other home-made foods need a VDACS permit and inspection.

Can I sell pickles from home in Virginia?

Yes, under the acidified vegetable exemption, with a finished pH of 4.6 or below and up to $9,000 a year in gross sales.

Can I sell to a store in Virginia?

Not under the exemption. Exempt products are sold only to individuals for their own use.

What does the label need?

Your name, address, phone, the date processed and the not-for-resale statement on the front panel.

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Tell us what you make and what you use today. A spreadsheet and a Square account is a fine answer. We reply by email with what we would keep, what we would change and what it costs.

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