Arizona Cottage Food Law
A complete guide to cottage food regulations in Arizona (AZ) — revenue limits, allowed products, labeling, and permitting requirements.
Requirements & Restrictions
Permitting & Registration
- Food Handler Certification
- Required
- Business License
- Not required
- State Registration
- Required — Arizona Department of Health Services (AZDHS)
Where You Can Sell
- direct sale from registrant to consumer
- third-party delivery (shelf-stable products only, in original unaltered packaging)
- wholesale (shelf-stable products only)
- shipped within Arizona (shelf-stable products only)
- perishable products must be directly offered from registrant to consumer, temperature controlled, offered only the day they leave the household, and delivered within two hours
Allowed Products
- most foods (perishable and shelf-stable)
- meat and meat by-products (direct sale to consumer only)
- freeze-dried foods
- acidified foods
- fermented foods
- canned foods
- dehydrated foods
- baked goods
- jams and jellies (FDA-tested shelf-stable recipes)
Prohibited Products
- fish
- shellfish
- raw milk
- alcoholic beverages (as finished product intended to intoxicate)
- marijuana-infused products
Labeling Requirements
The following information must appear on every cottage food product label sold in Arizona:
Required Disclaimer
This product was produced in a home kitchen that may come in contact with common food allergens and pet allergens and is not subject to public health inspection.
Additional Notes
No annual revenue cap is stated in the official source. All food production must take place within the home kitchen — no outdoor grilling, smoking, drying, etc. Cottage food products must remain in their same unaltered packaging even when offered by a third-party. Meat and meat by-products must be offered directly from the registrant to the consumer even if shelf-stable. Alcohol may be used as an ingredient provided the final product is not intended to intoxicate. Registrants may submit lab test results (water activity below 0.85 aw OR pH at 4.6 or below) to qualify products as shelf-stable. Cities may require seller's permits; HOAs may have additional restrictions. Labels must also include the product's production date and the registrant's registration number. If applicable, a statement is required if the product was made by individuals with developmental disabilities. The AZDHS website (www.azdhs.gov/CottageFood) is the official program portal. Source is the official AZDHS Cottage Food Program Presentation PDF (current as of research date). Several AZDHS subpages listed in the program menu (Labeling Requirements, Approved Foods, FAQs) returned 404 at time of research — the program presentation PDF is the most complete available official document.
Frequently Asked Questions
- What is the annual revenue limit for cottage food businesses in Arizona?
- Arizona does not impose a stated annual revenue limit on cottage food producers.
- Do I need a food handler certification to sell cottage food in Arizona?
- Yes. Arizona requires cottage food producers to hold a valid food handler certification.
- Is a business license required for cottage food sales in Arizona?
- No. Arizona does not require a business license to operate a cottage food business.
- Does Arizona require cottage food producers to register with the state?
- Yes. Arizona requires cottage food businesses to register with Arizona Department of Health Services (AZDHS).
- Where can I legally sell cottage food products in Arizona?
- In Arizona, cottage food products may be sold at: direct sale from registrant to consumer, third-party delivery (shelf-stable products only, in original unaltered packaging), wholesale (shelf-stable products only), shipped within Arizona (shelf-stable products only), perishable products must be directly offered from registrant to consumer, temperature controlled, offered only the day they leave the household, and delivered within two hours.
- What allergen labeling standard applies to cottage food in Arizona?
- Arizona follows the CUSTOM for cottage food labeling.
- What products are allowed under Arizona cottage food law?
- The following product categories are permitted for cottage food production in Arizona: most foods (perishable and shelf-stable), meat and meat by-products (direct sale to consumer only), freeze-dried foods, acidified foods, fermented foods, canned foods, dehydrated foods, baked goods, jams and jellies (FDA-tested shelf-stable recipes).
- What products are prohibited under Arizona cottage food law?
- The following products may not be sold under Arizona's cottage food exemption: fish, shellfish, raw milk, alcoholic beverages (as finished product intended to intoxicate), marijuana-infused products.