Cottage Food Laws in Wisconsin
moderateComplete guide to cottage food and bakery regulations in Wisconsin. 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 | No cap on home-baked goods (Lafayette County injunction, Kivirist v. DATCP); a $5,000/year limit applies only to home-canned "Pickle Bill" goods |
| License Required | No — No license or registration required to sell shelf-stable home-baked goods directly to consumers, under the 2017 Lafayette County Circuit Court injunction (Kivirist v. DATCP). Home-canned "Pickle Bill" goods are regulated separately. |
| Kitchen Inspection | No kitchen inspection required for home-baked goods. |
| Online Sales | Not allowed — Sales of home-baked goods must be direct to the consumer, in person; online/shipping is not authorized. |
Allowed Products
- Baked goods
- Candy
- Jams and jellies
- Popcorn
- Dry mixes
Prohibited Products
- Cream-filled pastries
- Meat products
- Dairy products
- Canned low-acid foods
Labeling Requirements
- Name and address of the producer
- Name of the product
- Ingredients list
- "This product was produced in a home kitchen not inspected by the Wisconsin DATCP"
Where You Can Sell
- Farmers markets
- Direct from home
- Community events
How Wisconsin Compares
| State | Sales Limit | License | Online | Level |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wisconsin | No cap on home-baked goods (Lafayette County injunction, Kivirist v. DATCP); a $5,000/year limit applies only to home-canned "Pickle Bill" goods | No | No | moderate |
| Minnesota | $78,000 per year | No | Yes | moderate |
| Iowa | No sales limit for unlicensed cottage food. Home Food Processing Establishment (HFPE) license required above $50,000. | No | No | permissive |
| Illinois | No sales cap (Home-to-Market Act, SB 2007, effective January 1, 2022) | No | Yes | moderate |
| Michigan | $50,000 per year — or $75,000 if unit price is $250 or more (HB 4122, effective March 24, 2026) | No | Yes | moderate |
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need to register to sell cottage food in Wisconsin?▾
No. Under the 2017 Lafayette County court injunction (Kivirist v. DATCP), Wisconsin cannot require a license or registration to sell shelf-stable home-baked goods directly to consumers. Home-canned goods are treated separately.
Can I sell my cottage food at a grocery store in Wisconsin?▾
No. Wisconsin limits cottage food sales to direct-to-consumer channels like farmers markets and from your home.
Official source: Wisconsin DATCP — Cottage Food (Kivirist v. DATCP court order)