This is general information, not legal or tax advice. Permit and tax rules change, and your situation may differ. Always confirm current requirements with the official state agency linked in this guide, and consult a licensed attorney or tax professional for advice about your specific business.Last verified against official state sources: 2026-06-11
No, and this changed July 1, 2025: HB 398 abolished the old $100 annual cottage food license, the training mandate, and pre-licensing home inspections. GDA no longer issues cottage food licenses. You can optionally request a free Identification Number from GDA to put on labels instead of your home address. (Older guides describing Georgia's license are now wrong.)
Not required by the new statute, though GDA pages still reference the old ANSI food safety course; completing a basic food handler course remains a good idea until GDA finalizes updated regulations.
Non-potentially hazardous foods and nonalcoholic beverages made at your residence: loaf breads, rolls, biscuits, cakes (without refrigerated fillings), jams, jellies, and preserves, uncut produce, dried fruits, dry herbs and seasonings, granola and trail mix, nuts, vinegars, dill pickles, confections and fudge, dry soup mixes, roasted coffee, dry pasta, popcorn, and cotton candy.
Anything needing refrigeration for safety, plus alcoholic beverages, cannabis foods, and raw milk. That rules out meat, dairy, cheesecakes, cream-filled items, salsas, most home-canned goods beyond jams, and apple butter or cider. Pet treats need a separate GDA license.
Very broad after HB 398: direct to consumers anywhere in Georgia including craft fairs, festivals, farmers markets, from home, online, and by mail order with commercial delivery allowed. New in 2025: sales to grocery stores, convenience stores, and restaurants, which must display cottage foods in a clearly labeled section (cities and counties can opt out of this third-party channel by ordinance). Out-of-state shipping is not protected, so treat sales as in-state.
Simpler than most states: the operator's business name, address, and phone (or a GDA Identification Number instead of your home address), plus this statement in at least 10-point font: 'This product was produced at a residential property that is exempt from state inspection. This product may contain allergens.' Listing ingredients and allergens remains smart practice.
Cottage food sales are taxable. Georgia's grocery exemption covers only the 4 percent state tax, not local taxes, so you still collect the local portion (commonly 3 to 4 percent) on grocery-type items, and prepared food is taxed at the full combined rate. Register for a Georgia sales tax number and charge the rate where you make the sale.
HB 398 preempts most local regulation: counties and cities cannot prohibit or regulate cottage food items, with the one exception of opting out of third-party retail sales after a public hearing. General requirements like occupation tax certificates and home-business zoning still apply.
Light-touch enforcement: a written warning for a first willful violation, then civil penalties up to $75 per violation, with complaint-based inspections only.
Selling non-food crafts too? See the Georgia craft fair permit and sales tax guide.
Yes, under Georgia Cottage Food Law (HB 398, O.C.G.A. 26-2-470 to 26-2-478, effective July 1, 2025). No, and this changed July 1, 2025: HB 398 abolished the old $100 annual cottage food license, the training mandate, and pre-licensing home inspections. GDA no longer issues cottage food licenses. You can optionally request a free Identification Number from GDA to put on labels instead of your home address. (Older guides describing Georgia's license are now wrong.)
Non-potentially hazardous foods and nonalcoholic beverages made at your residence: loaf breads, rolls, biscuits, cakes (without refrigerated fillings), jams, jellies, and preserves, uncut produce, dried fruits, dry herbs and seasonings, granola and trail mix, nuts, vinegars, dill pickles, confections and fudge, dry soup mixes, roasted coffee, dry pasta, popcorn, and cotton candy. Anything needing refrigeration for safety, plus alcoholic beverages, cannabis foods, and raw milk. That rules out meat, dairy, cheesecakes, cream-filled items, salsas, most home-canned goods beyond jams, and apple butter or cider. Pet treats need a separate GDA license.
No. Georgia places no annual cap on cottage food sales.
Very broad after HB 398: direct to consumers anywhere in Georgia including craft fairs, festivals, farmers markets, from home, online, and by mail order with commercial delivery allowed. New in 2025: sales to grocery stores, convenience stores, and restaurants, which must display cottage foods in a clearly labeled section (cities and counties can opt out of this third-party channel by ordinance). Out-of-state shipping is not protected, so treat sales as in-state.
Simpler than most states: the operator's business name, address, and phone (or a GDA Identification Number instead of your home address), plus this statement in at least 10-point font: 'This product was produced at a residential property that is exempt from state inspection. This product may contain allergens.' Listing ingredients and allergens remains smart practice.
Cottage food sales are taxable. Georgia's grocery exemption covers only the 4 percent state tax, not local taxes, so you still collect the local portion (commonly 3 to 4 percent) on grocery-type items, and prepared food is taxed at the full combined rate. Register for a Georgia sales tax number and charge the rate where you make the sale.
Browse upcoming craft fairs and markets in Georgia with booth fees and application deadlines, and use the booth ROI calculator to plan a profitable season.
Last verified: 2026-06-11. Spotted something out of date? Let us know.