Washington is one of the few states where selling home foods at a farmers market requires a paid state permit up front, not just a registration. The WSDA Cottage Food Permit is mandatory, and depending on what you sell, you may also deal with your county. Here's how Washington's system works.
The short version: Washington requires a WSDA Cottage Food Permit to sell home-produced foods at farmers markets. It costs $355 for a two-year permit, with a $35,000 sales cap (raised in 2025). There's no free exemption: cottage food vendors must hold this permit. Prepared-food vendors and anyone doing on-site prep or sampling also need a county health department permit, which in King County ranges from $126 to over $1,000 depending on the food. Raw produce from your own farm needs no permit. Almost everyone needs a free Washington Business License.
The goal is getting cleared to sell. Once you are, a Homegrown storefront ($10/month, 0% commission) makes taking Washington orders, pickups, and payments easy.
Here's what makes Washington different. In many states, home food makers get a free registration or a no-permit exemption. In Washington, you must hold a WSDA Cottage Food Permit to sell home-produced foods at a market. There's no free path.
The permit costs $355 for two years and comes with a $35,000 gross annual sales cap (raised in 2025 from $25,000). It covers non-temperature-controlled, shelf-stable foods like baked goods, jams, and dried herbs, and it's approved for farmers markets, farm stands, CSAs, and seasonal events. You can't sell wholesale or through retail stores under it. For the full list and rules, see our Washington cottage food law guide and our walkthrough on how to start a cottage food business in Washington.
Washington has a dual system. WSDA handles the cottage food and food processor licenses at the state level. But prepared-food vendors, and anyone doing on-site food prep or sampling at a market, also need a county health department permit.
County fees vary a lot. King County, for example, runs tiered farmers market permits from about $126 (minimal handling, single event) up to $1,008 (unlimited, complex handling with raw animal products). If you're cooking or handling temperature-controlled food at the market, budget for the county piece on top of any state permit.
Raw produce from your own farm needs no WSDA permit. On the other end, if you want to sell wholesale or produce at a commercial scale beyond cottage food limits, you need a WSDA Food Processor License instead of (or in addition to) the cottage food permit.
Separate from any food permit, Washington requires a Business License through the state's Business Licensing Service (Department of Revenue). It's free to register, and all vendors need it.
Sampling is handled at the county level. In King County, sampling falls under the moderate or complex permit tier, so it's bundled into the county permit fee rather than a separate sampling permit. Check your county's rules before planning samples.
Start at the official sources: the WSDA Cottage Food page for the state permit, and the King County farmers market permit page as an example of the county tiers (check your own county for exact fees).
Yes. Home food makers need a WSDA Cottage Food Permit ($355 for two years, $35,000 cap). Prepared-food vendors and anyone doing on-site prep or sampling also need a county health department permit. Raw produce from your own farm is exempt. Almost everyone needs a free state Business License.
$355 for a two-year permit from WSDA, with a $35,000 gross annual sales cap (raised in 2025 from $25,000). Unlike many states, there's no free cottage food exemption in Washington.
If you sell prepared food, or do on-site food prep or sampling, yes. County health department fees vary; King County's farmers market permits run from about $126 to over $1,000 depending on the food. The state cottage food permit doesn't cover those activities.
Yes. Raw produce from your own farm needs no WSDA permit. The permit requirements apply to processed and prepared foods.
Yes. All vendors need a Washington Business License through the Business Licensing Service. It's free to register and separate from any food permit.
Washington asks for a paid state permit up front: the $355 WSDA Cottage Food Permit (with a $35,000 cap) is required to sell home foods, with no free exemption. Prepared food and sampling add a county permit on top. Get the free state Business License too, and check your county's fees. Once you're cleared to sell, a simple storefront makes pickups and payments easy. Set up a Homegrown storefront for $10/month at 0% commission, and check other states on our farmers market vendor permits by state guide.
*This guide is general information, not legal advice. Permit rules change and county fees vary. Verify current requirements with WSDA and your county health department before selling. Last updated: June 2026.*
