Start a home kitchen in Alabama

The steps, the costs, where to apply, and how to get inspection-ready — in Alabama's own program terms.

Cottage food law

Sales cap: No sales cap. The former $20,000-per-year gross income limit was removed by the 2021 amendment (SB 160); the Alabama Department of Public Health confirms the annual income limit is removed. No scheduled changes.

Allowed foods: Allowed: non-potentially hazardous foods prepared in your home — cakes, breads, Danish pastries, donuts, pastries, pies; jam, jellies, and fruit preserves; candy; dried and dehydrated herbs, herb mixes, vegetables, or fruits; roasted coffee; dried baking mixes; fermented or preserved vegetables or fruit that produce no alcohol and meet an ADPH-allowed acidity level (pH verification by a processing authority or the Alabama Cooperative Extension Service is required; freeze-dried foods need water-activity verification). Not allowed: anything requiring time/temperature control for safety, and all meat, poultry, and fish. Items with under 3% alcohol are allowed; over 3%, consult the Alabama ABC Board.

The permit steps

1. No food service permit or home-kitchen inspection is required (Cottage food operations are not food service establishments under §22-20-5.1(b)).
2. Complete an ADPH-approved food safety course (Alabama Cooperative Extension cottage food course, about $25, or any ANSI-accredited program); maintain current certification — Extension certification is renewed every 5 years.
3. Prepare a compliant label for each product (10-point font, food name, operation name, home or P.O. Box address, ingredients, not-inspected statement, allergen disclaimer); fermented/acidified items need pH documentation from a processing authority or Extension.
4. Complete the Cottage Food Review Form and submit it with your certificate and sample labels to your local county health department for review; the county provides written confirmation.
5. Check whether your city/municipality requires a local business license.
6. Sell only directly to Alabama consumers (in person, phone, or online); deliver in person, through your agent, or by mail — no wholesale, restaurants, grocery stores, or ADPH-permitted venues.

How it works, start to finish

1. Confirm your recipes are non-potentially hazardous (shelf-stable, no refrigeration needed; no meat, poultry, or fish).
2. Complete an ADPH-approved food safety course — e.g., the Alabama Cooperative Extension cottage food course (about $25) or any ANSI-accredited program — and keep your certification current (renewed every 5 years).
3. Get pH documentation from a processing authority or Alabama Extension for any fermented, preserved, or acidified items.
4. Design compliant labels for each product: common food name, your operation name, home or P.O. Box address, ingredients in descending order, 'not inspected by the Health Department' statement, and allergen disclaimer, all in at least 10-point font.
5. Fill out the Cottage Food Review Form and bring it, your certificate, and sample labels to your local county health department for review.
6. Check whether your city or municipality requires a local business license (municipal licenses are typically required).
7. Sell directly to Alabama consumers only — in person, by phone, or online — and deliver in person, through your agent, or by mail. No wholesale, restaurants, or grocery stores.

Where to apply in Alabama

Alabama has no county opt-in/opt-out: Section 22-20-5.1 bars the State Department of Public Health and county health departments from regulating cottage food operations beyond the statute itself. But there is a county touchpoint — each producer must submit a Cottage Food Review Form, food safety certificate, and sample labels to their local county health department for review, and the county can give written confirmation that the paperwork was reviewed. County-issued food service permits are explicitly not required.

Official sources — start with the agency or department that runs Alabama's program:

• Alabama Department of Public Health — Cottage Food (page last updated July 9, 2026)
• Alabama Legislature — SB 160 (2021 Regular Session) amending Code of Alabama §22-20-5.1, official bill PDF
• Alabama Cooperative Extension System — Alabama Cottage Food Law Course

Inspection prep (general)