Start a home kitchen in Nevada

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

Cottage food law Craft food operation (acidified foods)

Sales cap: Current: $35,000 gross sales per calendar year (NRS 580.600, through June 30, 2027). Scheduled: $100,000 per calendar year effective July 1, 2027 under AB352 (2025), with a single statewide NDA license replacing per-district registration. The separate craft-food (acidified) program cap also rises $35,000 → $100,000 on July 1, 2027.

Allowed foods: Allowed (non-potentially-hazardous, shelf-stable only): nuts and nut mixes; hard candies and candies made with commercial chocolate; jams, jellies, and preserves; vinegar and flavored vinegar (with restrictions — strained/filtered, no flavoring components left in bottle); dry herbs and seasoning mixes; dried fruits; cereals, trail mixes, and granola; popcorn and popcorn balls; baked goods that are not potentially hazardous, contain no cream, uncooked egg, custard, meringue, cream cheese frosting or garnishes, and need no temperature control. Not allowed: pickled vegetables, fermented foods, salsa, or other acidified foods (these are a separate NDA-licensed 'craft food' program); home-canned foods; BBQ sauces and home-made sauces; dried/dehydrated meats or jerky; apple cider, apple/pumpkin/fruit butters; soft cheeses; any meat, dairy, TCS, or temperature-controlled food; fresh fruits/vegetables. From July 1, 2027 (AB352), the list changes: adds teas and dried vegetables, keeps non-TCS baked goods rules; acidified foods remain in the separate craft-food track.

The permit steps

1. Verify products are non-TCS and on the allowed list; acidified/pickled/fermented foods need the separate NDA craft-food license instead.
2. Register with the health district for each county where you will make or sell (SNHD = Clark County; Northern Nevada Public Health = Washoe; Carson City HHS = Carson City/Douglas; Central Nevada Health District = Churchill, Pershing, Mineral, Eureka, Fallon; DPBH = other rural counties).
3. Clark County example: complete the SNHD Cottage Food Operation Registration Application (signed by the single natural-person owner) and email it as PDF/JPG/PNG to regsupport@snhd.org for pre-screening.
4. If approvable, create an online account in SNHD's Accela Citizen Access portal and complete the application there.
5. Pay the registration fee when invoiced electronically — SNHD: one-time, non-refundable $220 for FY 26/27; unpaid after 30 days means denial.
6. Receive the written approval letter — you are not registered and cannot operate until it arrives.
7. Obtain a Nevada State Business License and any required city/county business license.
8. No routine kitchen inspection (district may investigate complaints/adulteration only); no state food-safety training requirement for cottage food — craft food (acidified) requires an NDA-approved course and exam.

How it works, start to finish

1. Confirm your products are on the allowed non-TCS list (pickled/fermented/acidified foods go through the separate NDA craft-food program instead).
2. Identify every health district where you will make or sell (SNHD for Clark County, Northern Nevada Public Health for Washoe, Carson City HHS for Carson City/Douglas, Central Nevada Health District for Churchill/Pershing/Mineral/Eureka/Fallon, DPBH for other rural counties).
3. Complete that district's cottage food registration application (Clark County: email the SNHD pre-screening application to regsupport@snhd.org) and wait for approval before selling.
4. Set up the district's online portal account (SNHD uses Accela Citizen Access) and pay the registration fee when invoiced (SNHD: $220 one-time for FY 26/27; pay within 30 days).
5. Wait for the written approval/registration letter — you may not operate until it arrives.
6. Get your Nevada State Business License from the Secretary of State plus any city/county business license.
7. Label every product with federal-style labeling plus the statement 'MADE IN A COTTAGE FOOD OPERATION THAT IS NOT SUBJECT TO GOVERNMENT FOOD SAFETY INSPECTION.'
8. Sell direct to consumers only (farmers markets, flea markets, craft fairs, your property) — no wholesale, no online/telephone orders until the July 2027 law change.

Where to apply in Nevada

Nevada cottage food is district-led: you must register with EACH local health district where you make or sell. Coverage: Southern Nevada Health District (SNHD) for Clark County (Las Vegas, Henderson, North Las Vegas, Boulder City, Mesquite); Northern Nevada Public Health for Washoe County (Reno, Sparks); Carson City Health & Human Services for Carson City and Douglas County; Central Nevada Health District for Churchill, Pershing, Mineral, and Eureka counties plus the City of Fallon; and the state Division of Public and Behavioral Health (DPBH) for the remaining rural counties (Elko, Esmeralda, Humboldt, Lander, Lincoln, Lyon, Nye, Storey, White Pine). Each district has its own application and fee (e.g., SNHD charges a one-time $220 registration fee for FY 26/27). This district system runs through June 30, 2027; on July 1, 2027 the Nevada Department of Agriculture (NDA) becomes the single statewide licensing authority.

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

• Nevada Legislature — AB352 enrolled bill text (Chapter 420, Statutes of Nevada 2025)
• Southern Nevada Health District — Cottage Food Operations (registration authority, fees, AB352 transition)
• Nevada DPBH — Cottage Foods Guide 2023 (allowed foods, district-by-district registration, labeling)

Inspection prep (general)