Nevada Cottage Food Law
A complete guide to cottage food regulations in Nevada (NV) — revenue limits, allowed products, labeling, and permitting requirements.
Requirements & Restrictions
Permitting & Registration
- Food Handler Certification
- Not required
- Business License
- Required
- State Registration
- Not required — Nevada Division of Public and Behavioral Health (DPBH) Environmental Health Section, or county/local health authority (Southern Nevada Health District for Clark County; Northern Nevada Public Health for Washoe County; Carson City Health and Human Services for Carson City and Douglas County; Central Nevada Health District for Churchill, Fallon, Pershing, Mineral, and Eureka Counties)
Where You Can Sell
- Farmers markets
- Flea markets
- Swap meets
- Church bazaars
- Garage sales
- Craft fairs
- Direct person-to-person sales
Allowed Products
- Nuts and nut mixes
- Hard candies
- Candies made with commercial chocolate
- Jams, jellies, and preserves
- Vinegar and flavored vinegar (with restrictions)
- Dry herbs and seasoning mixes
- Dried fruits
- Cereals, trail mixes, and granola
- Baked goods that do not require temperature control and are not potentially hazardous (not containing cream, uncooked egg, custard, meringue, cream cheese, non-commercial frostings, garnishes, or fillings)
Prohibited Products
- Home canned foods
- Homemade sauces (e.g., barbecue sauce)
- Pickled items (classified as craft food under Nevada Department of Agriculture)
- Non-commercial maple syrup
- Baked goods containing cream, uncooked egg, custard, meringue, cream cheese, non-commercial frostings, garnishes, or fillings
- Flavored vinegar containing herbs, fruit rinds, berries, pieces of fruit, or vegetables in the final bottled product
- Foods sold by consignment, to restaurants, wholesalers, brokers, or distributors
- Foods sold over the internet or shipped
Labeling Requirements
The following information must appear on every cottage food product label sold in Nevada:
Required Disclaimer
MADE IN A COTTAGE FOOD OPERATION THAT IS NOT SUBJECT TO ROUTINE GOVERNMENT FOOD SAFETY INSPECTIONS
Additional Notes
IMPORTANT NOTE: These regulations only apply to the counties of Elko, Esmeralda, Humboldt, Lander, Lincoln, Lyon, Nye, Storey, and White Pine. State registration does not apply to any other counties, and registration must be completed with the local county if it is not included in this list. Revenue cap: $35,000 gross sales per calendar year per NRS 446.886. Registration is required — online via the state DPBH portal (https://nvdpbh.aithent.com/login.aspx) for most counties, or through the applicable county/local health authority. A Nevada State Business License is required; county business license requirements vary. Foods may only be prepared in the registrant's private home — groups are not permitted and kitchen rentals are not allowed. Sales must be direct person-to-person only; internet sales, consignment, and sales to wholesalers, distributors, restaurants, or brokers are prohibited. A website may be used for advertising only. Flavored vinegars must be strained or filtered prior to bottling and must not contain flavoring components (herbs, fruit, vegetables) in the final bottled product. Pickled vegetables, fermented foods, salsa, and other acidified foods are approved under the Nevada Department of Agriculture 'craft' food law, not the cottage food law. The official guide referenced creating labels per NRS 446.886, but the verbatim labeling fields (ingredients, allergens, net weight, baker name/address, disclaimer) were not fully detailed in the fetched PDF text — consult NRS 446.886 directly or the full guide for complete labeling requirements. Source PDFs: (1) DPBH Cottage Food Operations Guide 2023: https://www.dpbh.nv.gov/siteassets/regulatory/environmental-health/cottage-food/cottage-foods-guide-2023-branded.pdf; (2) Starting a Baked Goods Business in Nevada: https://www.dpbh.nv.gov/siteassets/regulatory/environmental-health/cottage-food/bakinginnevada.pdf
Frequently Asked Questions
- What is the annual revenue limit for cottage food businesses in Nevada?
- Nevada cottage food producers may earn up to $35,000 per year from cottage food sales.
- Do I need a food handler certification to sell cottage food in Nevada?
- No. Nevada does not require a food handler certification for cottage food producers.
- Is a business license required for cottage food sales in Nevada?
- Yes. Cottage food producers in Nevada are required to obtain a business license.
- Does Nevada require cottage food producers to register with the state?
- No. Nevada does not require cottage food producers to register with a state agency.
- Where can I legally sell cottage food products in Nevada?
- In Nevada, cottage food products may be sold at: Farmers markets, Flea markets, Swap meets, Church bazaars, Garage sales, Craft fairs, Direct person-to-person sales.
- What allergen labeling standard applies to cottage food in Nevada?
- Nevada follows the CUSTOM for cottage food labeling.
- What products are allowed under Nevada cottage food law?
- The following product categories are permitted for cottage food production in Nevada: Nuts and nut mixes, Hard candies, Candies made with commercial chocolate, Jams, jellies, and preserves, Vinegar and flavored vinegar (with restrictions), Dry herbs and seasoning mixes, Dried fruits, Cereals, trail mixes, and granola, Baked goods that do not require temperature control and are not potentially hazardous (not containing cream, uncooked egg, custard, meringue, cream cheese, non-commercial frostings, garnishes, or fillings).
- What products are prohibited under Nevada cottage food law?
- The following products may not be sold under Nevada's cottage food exemption: Home canned foods, Homemade sauces (e.g., barbecue sauce), Pickled items (classified as craft food under Nevada Department of Agriculture), Non-commercial maple syrup, Baked goods containing cream, uncooked egg, custard, meringue, cream cheese, non-commercial frostings, garnishes, or fillings, Flavored vinegar containing herbs, fruit rinds, berries, pieces of fruit, or vegetables in the final bottled product, Foods sold by consignment, to restaurants, wholesalers, brokers, or distributors, Foods sold over the internet or shipped.