Cottage Food Laws in Texas
permissiveComplete guide to cottage food and bakery regulations in Texas. Updated for 2026.
General information, not legal advice. Cottage food laws change frequently — verify with the official source before launching your business. Report an error. Last verified: August 2026.
| Annual Sales Limit | $150,000 per year (SB 541, effective September 1, 2025) |
| License Required | No — No state license required for non-TCS cottage food. CFPOs selling TCS foods must register with DSHS. SB 541 (eff. 2025-09-01) raised the cap to $150,000 and authorized retail sales via registered cottage food vendors. |
| Kitchen Inspection | No kitchen inspection required (health departments lack regulatory authority over cottage food production operations). |
| Online Sales | Allowed — Online sales and delivery permitted. Retail sales via registered cottage food vendors authorized under SB 541. |
Allowed Products
- Baked goods
- Candy
- Jams and jellies
- Dried herbs
- Pickles (shelf-stable)
- Any non-TCS food not on the prohibited list
Prohibited Products
- Meat, meat products, poultry, and poultry products
- Seafood, fish, shellfish, and related products
- Ice and ice products (shaved ice, ice cream, frozen custard, popsicles, gelato)
- Low-acid canned goods
- Raw milk and raw dairy products
- CBD and THC products
Labeling Requirements
- Name and address (or DSHS-issued ID number) of the producer
- Name of the product
- Allergen statement
- "THIS PRODUCT WAS PRODUCED IN A PRIVATE RESIDENCE THAT IS NOT SUBJECT TO GOVERNMENTAL LICENSING OR INSPECTION"
Where You Can Sell
- Farmers markets
- Farm stands
- Direct from home
- Online
- Community events
- Delivery
- Retail stores (via registered cottage food vendor)
- Food service establishments
How Texas Compares
| State | Sales Limit | License | Online | Level |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Texas | $150,000 per year (SB 541, effective September 1, 2025) | No | Yes | permissive |
| Oklahoma | $75,000 per year — rising to $250,000 on November 1, 2026 (HB 3720, Local Food Freedom Act) | No | Yes | permissive |
| Arkansas | No limit (Act 1040 of 2021, Food Freedom Act) | No | Yes | permissive |
| Louisiana | $50,000 per year for low-risk foods (HB 403, effective August 1, 2026); bakery items have no dollar cap | No | No | moderate |
| New Mexico | No statutory annual cap (Homemade Food Act, effective July 1, 2021) | No | Yes | permissive |
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I sell baked goods from home in Texas?▾
Yes. Texas allows direct-to-consumer sales of non-potentially-hazardous baked goods and other items up to $50,000/year without a license.
Can I sell cottage food online in Texas?▾
Yes. Online sales and delivery within Texas are permitted under the Texas Cottage Food Law.
Can I sell pickles as cottage food in Texas?▾
Yes, if they are shelf-stable pickles (acidified foods like pickled cucumbers). They must be a non-potentially-hazardous product.
Official source: Texas DSHS — Cottage Food Production