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: 2026-06-12
Yes, registration with your local health authority before selling (no routine inspection; they can inspect only when investigating suspected adulteration or an outbreak, and bill you for it). Fees vary sharply by district: SNHD charges a one-time $220 registration (the commonly cited $100 is wrong) that never expires if your info stays current; Washoe runs about $325 application plus about $61 annual certification. A registration only covers that district, so selling in another county means registering there too.
None required; you sign an acknowledgment that you are solely responsible for your food's safety, and SNHD publishes sanitation guidelines.
Nine statutory categories only: nuts and nut mixes; candies (no cream-based chocolates like ganache or truffles); jams, jellies, and preserves from standard recipes; vinegars; dry herbs and seasonings; dried fruits; cereals, trail mix, and granola; popcorn; and shelf-stable baked goods cooked with dry heat, without cream, uncooked egg, custard, meringue, or cream cheese frosting.
Anything refrigerated: cheesecakes, custard and cream pies (including pumpkin and pecan), cream cheese frostings, egg buttercreams, fresh fruit garnishes, plus fruit butters, sugar-free jams, home-canned foods, sauces, salsas, pickled foods (those fall under Nevada's separate craft food program), jerky, cider, and fried or steamed items.
Direct, in-person, inside Nevada only: from home, licensed farmers markets, flea markets, swap meets, church bazaars, garage sales, and craft fairs (Clark County events need the coordinator's approval). Internet and phone sales are prohibited by statute, though districts split on interpretation: SNHD allows phone or web orders with in-person delivery while Washoe says no entirely. No shipping, wholesale, or consignment. From July 1, 2027, AB 352 legalizes online and phone orders fulfilled in person, by mail, or by delivery service.
Annual sales cap: $35,000 gross per calendar year now; rising to $100,000 when AB 352 takes effect July 1, 2027.
Federal-style labels: common name, net quantity, ingredients by weight, allergens including sesame, and your name and contact info, plus prominently: MADE IN A COTTAGE FOOD OPERATION THAT IS NOT SUBJECT TO GOVERNMENT FOOD SAFETY INSPECTION. Everything, including free samples, must be prepackaged at home.
Nevada exempts food for home consumption, so packaged cottage foods sold without utensils are generally not taxable; heated items or anything sold with utensils becomes taxable prepared food. Confirm seller's permit needs with the Department of Taxation.
Jurisdiction-by-jurisdiction registration with materially different fees and online-order interpretations, plus a state business license and possible city or county licenses. Rural producers should contact the Department of Agriculture following the 2025 transfer of state food programs.
Operating outside the limits makes you an unpermitted vendor subject to cease-and-desist orders, product confiscation, and investigation cost recovery; the 2027 framework adds civil penalties up to $500 per violation.
Selling non-food crafts too? See the Nevada craft fair permit and sales tax guide.
Yes, under Nevada Cottage Food Law (NRS 446.866 rules in force until July 1, 2027, when AB 352 of 2025 moves the program to a Department of Agriculture license). Yes, registration with your local health authority before selling (no routine inspection; they can inspect only when investigating suspected adulteration or an outbreak, and bill you for it). Fees vary sharply by district: SNHD charges a one-time $220 registration (the commonly cited $100 is wrong) that never expires if your info stays current; Washoe runs about $325 application plus about $61 annual certification. A registration only covers that district, so selling in another county means registering there too.
Nine statutory categories only: nuts and nut mixes; candies (no cream-based chocolates like ganache or truffles); jams, jellies, and preserves from standard recipes; vinegars; dry herbs and seasonings; dried fruits; cereals, trail mix, and granola; popcorn; and shelf-stable baked goods cooked with dry heat, without cream, uncooked egg, custard, meringue, or cream cheese frosting. Anything refrigerated: cheesecakes, custard and cream pies (including pumpkin and pecan), cream cheese frostings, egg buttercreams, fresh fruit garnishes, plus fruit butters, sugar-free jams, home-canned foods, sauces, salsas, pickled foods (those fall under Nevada's separate craft food program), jerky, cider, and fried or steamed items.
Yes: $35,000 gross per calendar year now; rising to $100,000 when AB 352 takes effect July 1, 2027.
Direct, in-person, inside Nevada only: from home, licensed farmers markets, flea markets, swap meets, church bazaars, garage sales, and craft fairs (Clark County events need the coordinator's approval). Internet and phone sales are prohibited by statute, though districts split on interpretation: SNHD allows phone or web orders with in-person delivery while Washoe says no entirely. No shipping, wholesale, or consignment. From July 1, 2027, AB 352 legalizes online and phone orders fulfilled in person, by mail, or by delivery service.
Federal-style labels: common name, net quantity, ingredients by weight, allergens including sesame, and your name and contact info, plus prominently: MADE IN A COTTAGE FOOD OPERATION THAT IS NOT SUBJECT TO GOVERNMENT FOOD SAFETY INSPECTION. Everything, including free samples, must be prepackaged at home.
Nevada exempts food for home consumption, so packaged cottage foods sold without utensils are generally not taxable; heated items or anything sold with utensils becomes taxable prepared food. Confirm seller's permit needs with the Department of Taxation.
Browse upcoming craft fairs and markets in Nevada with booth fees and application deadlines, and use the booth ROI calculator to plan a profitable season.
Last verified: 2026-06-12. Spotted something out of date? Let us know.