What are the permits needed for a Home Bakery?
Once you have decided to open a cake or cookie bakery business in your home, you will need to contact your local health department or agency that regulates food and agriculture for your state. The health department or food and agriculture agency will either be responsible for inspection and licensing or will be able to point you in the right direction. However, keep in mind that in some states or areas, a home based food preparation business is not permitted.
The following is a list of web addresses for state agencies and other programs available in each state that may be able to help you locate the rules for your state:
Alabama
Alaska
Arizona
California
Colorado
Connecticut
www.umass.edu/nefe/regulatory_requirements/index.html
www.dph.state.ct.us
Delaware
www.state.de.us/deptagri/foodprod/index
www.dhss.delaware.gov/dhss
Florida
www.doacs.state.fl.us/fs/other.html
www.stateofflorida.com/agriculture.html
www.doh.state.fl.us
Georgia
agr.georgia.gov
http://rules.sos.state.ga.us/
www.health.state.ga.us
Hawaii
Idaho
Illinois
Indiana
Iowa
Kansas
Kentucky
www.kyagr.com
www.uky.edu/Ag/FoodScience/links.html
www.chfs.ky.gov/dph
Louisiana
Massachusetts
Maine
Maryland
Michigan
Minnesota
Mississippi
Missouri
Montana
www.agr.state.mt.us
www.maic.montana.edu/resources.asp
www.dphhs.mt.gov
Nebraska
Nevada
www.agri.state.nv.us/
www.health2k.state.nv.us
www.hr.state.nv.us/
New Hampshire
www.agriculture.nh.gov/rules/index.htm
www.dhhs.state.nh.us/
New Jersey
New Mexico
New York
North Carolina
www.agr.state.nc.us/fooddrug/fdrprog.htm
www.dhhs.state.nc.us
North Dakota
www.agdepartment.com/Laws/Laws-ND%20Dept%20of%20Agriculture.html
www.health.state.nd.us
Ohio
Oklahoma
www.state.ok.us/~okag/ais-formshome.htm
www.health.state.ok.us/
Oregon
Pennsylvania
www.pfma.org/
www.agriculture.state.pa.us
www.health.state.pa.us
Rhode Island
http://www.dem.ri.gov/topics/agricult.htm
www.health.state.ri.us/
South Carolina
South Dakota
www.state.sd.us/DOA/
www.legis.state.sd.us/rules/RulesList.aspx
www.state.sd.us/DOH/
Tennessee
www.state.tn.us/agriculture/regulate/food/index.html
www.state.tn.us/health/
Texas
www.agr.state.tx.us
www.tdh.state.tx.us/
www.tlo2.tlc.state.tx.us/statutes/ag.toc.htm
Utah
www.ag.state.ut.us/regsvcs/food_compliance.html
www.health.utah.gov/
Vermont
www.vermontagriculture.com/regulations.htm
www.healthvermont.gov/
Virginia
Washington
West Virginia
Wisconsin
Wyoming
While on the internet perusing your state’s requirements, you may want to look at the following two websites for some further tips on starting your home business:
http://www.powerhomebiz.com; and
http://www.smallbusinessnotes.com/interests/homebusiness.html.
Remember you, the responsible business owner, should take your state’s regulations; community’s zoning regulations and the liability aspects of owning a business very seriously. If not, you can face serious consequences. You can face fines, the possibility of being shut down and law suits over injuries or damages which you may be responsible. An attorney can assist you and give you a thorough explanation of what steps you need to take to start your business. A one hour consultation fee may save you thousands of dollars in the future.
I would love to hear your experiences in dealing with the legal side of opening a home cake business, cookie business, candy business, etc.
For more ideas and information, check out our ebook or if you prefer a printed version:
Start A Cake Decorating Business Today
Paperback book $24.95
