To start a cottage food business in Washington, you apply for a WSDA Cottage Food Permit, pass a home-kitchen inspection, label your products with your permit number, and start selling — the permit costs $355 for two years, sales are capped at $35,000/year, and you can take orders and payment online but can't ship (pickup or in-person delivery only). This is the step-by-step playbook; for the full legal detail, see our Washington cottage food law guide.

The short version: Washington is a permit-and-inspection state. You apply to WSDA, pass a kitchen inspection (allow 6–10 weeks), and pay $355 for a two-year permit. Sales are capped at $35,000/year (inflation-adjusted every four years). You can sell low-risk non-perishable foods and even take orders and payment online — but you cannot mail or ship; the customer picks up at your home or you deliver in person. Every label needs your business name, permit number, and the home-kitchen disclaimer. Apply early so the inspection lead time doesn't hold you up.

How Do You Start a Cottage Food Business in Washington? (Step by Step)

1. Confirm your product qualifies. Washington covers low-risk non-perishable (non-TCS) foods. Check yours in our Washington cottage food law guide.
2. Apply for a WSDA Cottage Food Permit — submit your application, recipes, and labels. Do this early.
3. Pay the $355 fee (covers a two-year permit) and schedule your home-kitchen inspection.
4. Pass the inspection (allow ~6–10 weeks; a failed inspection costs $125 to redo).
5. Label every product with your business name, permit number, ingredients, allergens, net weight, and the home-kitchen statement.
6. Make your first sale — in person, at markets, or online for orders and payment, with pickup or in-person delivery (no shipping). Track sales toward the $35,000 cap.

How Much Does It Cost to Start a Cottage Food Business in Washington?

Washington costs more than no-permit states because of the permit and inspection, but the permit lasts two years:

• WSDA Cottage Food Permit: $355 (two-year term)
• Reinspection (only if the first fails): $125
• Labels and packaging: $20–$100 to start
• First batch of ingredients: $30–$150
• Online storefront: $10/month with Homegrown (0% commission)

Most Washington sellers start for around $400–$500 including the permit.

How Long Does It Take to Start in Washington?

Plan for 6–10 weeks — the inspection lead time is the bottleneck, so apply early:

• Week 1: Confirm your product, submit your WSDA application with recipes and labels, pay the $355 fee.
• Weeks 2–10: Schedule and pass the home-kitchen inspection.
• After approval: Set up a storefront and take your first orders.

The two-year permit term means you won't repeat this often.

What Can You Sell as a Washington Cottage Food Business?

Washington allows low-risk non-perishable foods: loaf breads, muffins, cakes, cookies, quick breads, and tortillas (with fruits or vegetables baked into the batter), jams, jellies, preserves, and fruit butters made to FDA standards, and dry spice, herb, and tea mixes. Anything needing refrigeration is off-limits. The full allowed/prohibited lists and labeling rules are in our Washington cottage food law guide and cottage food labeling guide.

Where Can You Sell in Washington?

Washington allows online ordering but not shipping:

• Directly to customers in person and from home
• At farmers markets, fairs, and events
• Online for orders and payment — but with pickup or in-person delivery only (no mailing or shipping)

Because Washington lets you take orders and payment online, a real storefront is a natural fit — you can collect orders and payments and schedule pickup or local delivery in one place. Homegrown gives Washington cottage food sellers an online storefront with built-in payments and pickup scheduling for $10/month at 0% commission — you keep every dollar except standard card processing. Start a free trial and have a Washington-ready storefront live in about 15 minutes.

How Much Can You Make Selling Cottage Food in Washington?

The cap is $35,000 per year, adjusted for inflation every four years. To get the most out of it:

• Take orders online — Washington allows online ordering and payment with local pickup or delivery.
• Price for profit — cover ingredients, packaging, your time, and card processing, then add margin.
• Focus on higher-margin items — with a fixed cap, margin per sale matters more.
• Build repeat buyers — weekly pickup, pre-orders, and seasonal boxes make income steady.
• Track gross sales against the $35,000 cap; if you outgrow it, move to a licensed kitchen.

What Mistakes Should You Avoid When Starting in Washington?

• Selling before your permit is issued — the application and inspection come first.
• Shipping products — Washington allows online orders but not mailing; pickup or in-person delivery only.
• Applying late — the 6–10 week inspection lead time means starting early matters.
• Leaving your permit number off the label — it's required on every package.
• Exceeding the $35,000 cap — track sales and plan ahead.

Do You Need an LLC or to Worry About Taxes in Washington?

You don't need an LLC to get a Cottage Food Permit, but it's worth understanding the basics: see whether you need an LLC to sell food from home and how cottage food taxes work on Schedule C. Washington has no state income tax, but you'll likely need a business license and to collect sales tax through the Department of Revenue depending on what you sell.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do you need a permit to start a cottage food business in Washington?

Yes. Washington requires a WSDA Cottage Food Permit ($355 for two years) plus a home-kitchen inspection before you sell.

How much does it cost to start a cottage food business in Washington?

The permit is $355 for two years. Add labels, packaging, and ingredients — most sellers start around $400–$500 including the permit.

How much can you make selling cottage food in Washington?

The cap is $35,000 per year, adjusted for inflation every four years.

Can you sell cottage food online in Washington?

You can take orders and payment online, but you cannot ship. Customers must pick up or you deliver in person.

What can you sell as a Washington cottage food business?

Low-risk non-perishable foods: breads, muffins, cakes, cookies, jams, preserves, and dry spice/herb/tea mixes. Refrigerated items aren't allowed.

How long does it take to start in Washington?

About 6–10 weeks, driven by the home-kitchen inspection. Apply early so the lead time doesn't hold you up.

Do you need an LLC to sell food from home in Washington?

No. Most sellers start as sole proprietors. An LLC is optional and mainly about liability protection if you scale.

Start Your Washington Cottage Food Business

Washington asks for a permit and inspection upfront, but the two-year term and online ordering make it manageable. Apply early, pass your inspection, and set up an easy way for customers to order and pay. Set up a Homegrown storefront to take Washington cottage food orders online with pickup or local delivery, read the full Washington cottage food law, and compare other states on our cottage food laws by state hub.

Comparing your options? See the best platform to sell food from home.

*This guide is general information, not legal advice. Cottage food rules change — verify current requirements with Washington WSDA before you start selling. Last verified: June 2026.*

Selling at farmers markets? See our Washington farmers market vendor permit guide for the permits you need on market day.