In Michigan, you can sell homemade non-perishable foods with no license and no inspection — and a 2026 update doubled the sales cap to $50,000 (up to $75,000 for higher-priced products) and finally legalized online sales within the state. This guide covers exactly what you can sell, the required label, how the 2026 changes work, and how to start this week.
The short version: Michigan's cottage food law requires no license or registration — you can start from your home kitchen today. A 2026 change raised the annual cap from $25,000 to $50,000 per person (or $75,000 if every product is priced at $250+ per unit), with inflation adjustments beginning October 1, 2026, and it authorized online and mail-order sales to Michigan customers for the first time. You're limited to shelf-stable foods sold directly to consumers, and every label must say "Made in a home kitchen that has not been inspected by MDARD."
As of the 2026 update, the cap is $50,000 per person per year — or $75,000 if all of your products are priced at $250 or more per unit — with inflation adjustments starting October 1, 2026 (raised from the old $25,000 limit).
| Michigan cottage food rule | Detail |
|---|---|
| Annual sales cap | $50,000 ($75,000 if all items ≥ $250/unit) |
| License / registration | None required (MSU Product Center registration optional) |
| Inspection | None |
| Allowed foods | Non-perishable (non-TCS) only |
| Where you can sell | Direct to consumers — in person + online/mail-order (in-state) |
| Label statement | "Made in a home kitchen that has not been inspected by the Michigan Department of Agriculture & Rural Development." |
| Administered by | MDARD |
No. Michigan requires no license, registration, or inspection to start a cottage food operation. Registration is optional: signing up with the MSU Product Center lets you print a registration number on your labels instead of your home address, which is useful for privacy if you sell online or at markets.
Michigan allows only foods that do not require temperature control for safety (non-TCS). Commonly sold shelf-stable items include:
Not allowed:
Confirm specifics with MDARD.
Every Michigan cottage food label must include:
A simple compliant label might read: *"Great Lakes Granola — [Your Operation / MSU reg #]. Ingredients: oats, honey, almonds (contains tree nuts)... Made in a home kitchen that has not been inspected by the Michigan Department of Agriculture & Rural Development."* See our cottage food labeling guide for templates.
Michigan cottage foods are sold directly to the end consumer. Allowed channels include:
Michigan does not allow wholesale or sales to retail stores and restaurants under the cottage food exemption, and all sales must stay within Michigan.
Because Michigan now allows online and mail-order sales in-state, a real storefront helps you take orders and manage pickup or delivery without living in your DMs. Homegrown gives Michigan sellers an online storefront with built-in payments and pickup/delivery scheduling for $10/month at 0% commission — you keep every dollar except standard card processing. Start a free trial and have a Michigan-ready storefront live in about 15 minutes.
The 2026 update doubled your ceiling to $50,000 (or $75,000 for premium products), and inflation adjustments start October 1, 2026. To get the most out of it:
The change modernized a law that previously limited sellers to mostly in-person sales. Always confirm the current rules with MDARD.
Up to $50,000 per person per year as of the 2026 update — or $75,000 if all products are priced at $250 or more per unit. The cap adjusts for inflation starting October 1, 2026 (raised from $25,000).
No. Michigan requires no license, registration, or inspection. Registering with the MSU Product Center is optional and only lets you use a registration number instead of your home address on labels.
Yes, as of 2026. Michigan now allows online, mail-order, and third-party delivery sales to Michigan customers, provided there's a direct producer-to-consumer interaction before the sale.
No. Michigan cottage foods must be sold directly to the end consumer — wholesale and sales to retail stores or restaurants are not allowed under the exemption.
Product name, ingredients, allergens, your address (or MSU registration number), and the statement "Made in a home kitchen that has not been inspected by the Michigan Department of Agriculture & Rural Development."
Anything requiring refrigeration — cream pies, custards, cheesecakes, meat products, and other TCS foods. Only shelf-stable foods qualify.
No. Registration with the MSU Product Center is optional and only provides a label number for privacy. There's no required state registration or fee.
If every product you sell is priced at $250 or more per unit (think wedding cakes or premium gift items), your cap is $75,000 instead of $50,000.
Michigan's 2026 update — a higher cap and legal online sales, with no license — makes it easier than ever to sell from home. Once your labels carry the MDARD statement, the next step is making it easy for customers to order and pay. Set up a Homegrown storefront for Michigan cottage food orders with pickup and in-state delivery, then compare the rules in nearby states like Ohio, Indiana, Wisconsin, and Illinois, or see the full cottage food laws by state hub.
*This guide is general information, not legal advice. Cottage food rules change — verify current requirements with MDARD before selling. Last verified: June 2026.*
