Arizona Cottage Food Law 2026

Where You Can Sell

Permitted sales channel: Home Pickup
Permitted sales channel: Farmers Markets
Permitted sales channel: Online Orders
Permitted sales channel: Home Pickup
Permitted sales channel: Home Pickup
Not permitted sales channel: Interstate Sales

Yes, you can sell a wide range of homemade foods from your home kitchen in Arizona — and as of 2024, the list is one of the broadest in the country. Arizona's cottage food law was dramatically expanded by House Bill 2042, known as the "Tamale Bill," which took effect September 14, 2024. Arizona does not state an annual sales cap, and you can now sell certain perishable or time/temperature control for safety (TCS) foods that most states prohibit entirely.

Arizona requires registration with the Arizona Department of Health Services (ADHS) and a food handler certification, but it does not require routine pre-opening home kitchen inspections and places no stated ceiling on your revenue. Understanding which foods are shelf-stable versus perishable is the key to operating correctly, because the two categories follow different sales rules.

What Can You Sell as an Arizona Cottage Food Producer?

An Arizona cottage food product is a food prepared in a registered home kitchen for sale to consumers. Following HB2042, Arizona's cottage food law permits both shelf-stable foods and foods that are potentially hazardous or require time/temperature control for safety (TCS), as defined by ADHS rule — a significant expansion over the pre-2024 framework.

✅ You Can Sell

Baked goods: breads, cakes, cookies, brownies, pastries, pies
Candies, chocolates, fudge, confections
Jams, jellies, fruit preserves, and fruit butters
Dried fruit, nuts, nut butters, granola, and trail mix
Dry mixes, spice blends, and dried seasonings
Honey, syrups, popcorn, and caramel corn
Dairy products made with milk from approved sources
Meat and poultry products allowed by federal law, including qualifying inspected-source meat or poultry and qualifying home-raised poultry
Other TCS or special-process foods only when they meet ADHS rules and approved-source requirements

❌ You Cannot Sell

Raw milk and raw milk products
Alcohol intended to intoxicate (homemade beer, wine, spirits)
Fish and shellfish products
Marijuana and CBD/THC products
Meat from unapproved sources (e.g., wild game)
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—
—
—

✅ You Can Sell	❌ You Cannot Sell
Baked goods: breads, cakes, cookies, brownies, pastries, pies	Raw milk and raw milk products
Candies, chocolates, fudge, confections	Alcohol intended to intoxicate (homemade beer, wine, spirits)
Jams, jellies, fruit preserves, and fruit butters	Fish and shellfish products
Dried fruit, nuts, nut butters, granola, and trail mix	Marijuana and CBD/THC products
Dry mixes, spice blends, and dried seasonings	Meat from unapproved sources (e.g., wild game)
Honey, syrups, popcorn, and caramel corn	—
Dairy products made with milk from approved sources	—
Meat and poultry products allowed by federal law, including qualifying inspected-source meat or poultry and qualifying home-raised poultry	—
Other TCS or special-process foods only when they meet ADHS rules and approved-source requirements	—

Arizona cottage food producers may sell shelf-stable baked goods, candies, and jams, and — unusually among states — certain TCS items like dairy, meat, and poultry when the product satisfies federal law and approved-source requirements. Prohibited items remain raw milk, intoxicating alcohol, fish and shellfish, marijuana products, and meat or poultry that does not fit the federal-law allowances in Arizona's statute.

⚠ Watch out

"Approved Sources" and Special Processes Require Care

Arizona's expanded law allows more TCS foods, but the safety conditions are strict. Dairy must come from lawful approved sources, and meat or poultry must fit the federal-law allowances listed in Arizona's statute. Special-process foods may require recipe review, testing, or additional ADHS guidance. Contact the Arizona Department of Health Services before producing any perishable or special-process food to confirm your specific product qualifies.

Next step

Start taking prepaid orders with Arizona-compliant labels

MyPorch helps Arizona bakers collect prepaid orders, generate Arizona-compliant labels, and keep weekly pickups and customer details organized.

Start your Arizona storefront

Annual Sales Cap and Sales Channels

Arizona does not state an annual cottage food sales cap, and it permits an unusually wide range of sales channels — but dairy, meat, poultry, and other TCS foods follow stricter delivery rules than shelf-stable foods.

No Sales Cap

Arizona's current cottage food statutes do not state an annual gross sales cap. Instead, A.R.S. § 36-932 says a food preparer may sell cottage food products to the maximum extent allowed by federal law, unless another provision of Arizona's cottage food article applies. This makes Arizona one of the most growth-friendly cottage food states in the country.

Sales Channels for Shelf-Stable Foods

Arizona cottage foods that do not contain dairy, meat, or poultry may be sold through broad channels: - Direct to consumer: Home pickup, roadside stands, and events are all permitted. - Farmers markets: Explicitly allowed. - Online and carrier delivery: Products that do not contain dairy, meat, or poultry may be sold by the preparer or the preparer's agent, including a third-party vendor, and delivered by the preparer, agent, third-party vendor, or third-party carrier. - Third-party vendors: Arizona allows third-party vendor sales when the product is displayed separately from nonhomemade food and the vendor displays signage stating that the products are homemade and exempt from state licensing and inspection.

Sales Rules for Perishable Foods

Dairy, meat, poultry, and TCS foods follow stricter rules. In Arizona, cottage foods that are dairy products or contain meat or poultry may be sold in person or remotely, including over the internet, but not through third-party food delivery platforms; they must be delivered to the consumer in person. If a product is potentially hazardous or requires TCS and is transported before final delivery, it must stay at an appropriate temperature, may be transported only once, and may not be transported for longer than two hours.

ℹ Note

Shelf-Stable vs. Perishable Determines Your Sales Channels

The single most important operational distinction in Arizona is whether your product contains dairy, meat, or poultry or otherwise requires TCS. Foods outside that category can use third-party vendors and carriers. Dairy, meat, poultry, and TCS foods need tighter in-person delivery and temperature workflows.

In summary, Arizona has no stated sales cap and allows many foods through direct, online, carrier, and third-party vendor channels, while dairy, meat, poultry, and TCS foods are restricted by in-person delivery, temperature, and two-hour transport rules. This combination is among the most permissive in the nation.

Registration and Training Requirements

Arizona requires two things before you sell: registration with the Arizona Department of Health Services and an accredited food handler certification. Neither requires a routine pre-opening kitchen inspection.

ADHS Registration

Arizona requires cottage food producers to register online with the ADHS Cottage Food Program before selling. Your registration must be renewed every three years to remain valid, and you must provide updated registration information within thirty days after any change.

Food Handler Certification

Arizona requires every cottage food producer to complete an accredited food handler training course and maintain active certification. This is a basic food safety course — not a state-administered exam — and pricing varies by provider.

✓ Tip

Use an Accredited Course

Arizona requires a food handler training course from an accredited program. Verify the accreditation before paying, because a non-accredited certificate will not satisfy the ADHS registration requirement.

Kitchen Inspections

Arizona does not require a pre-registration inspection for home kitchens operating under the cottage food law. ADHS can still investigate reported foodborne illness or enforce the cottage food article, and local business licenses or zoning rules may still apply to your home-based operation, so check with your city or county.

Arizona requires ADHS registration and an accredited food handler certification, with registration renewing every three years, but no routine pre-opening home kitchen inspection. This low-barrier registration model is paired with the absence of any stated sales cap.

Labeling Requirements

Every Arizona cottage food product must be packaged at home with a clear, legible printed or handwritten label. Arizona's rules include two elements many states don't require: a production date and a department-provided website address for illness reporting and registration verification. Arizona does not require your home address on the label — your registration number takes its place.

Required Label Elements

Arizona's cottage food statute requires the following on every cottage food label:

Preparer's name and ADHS registration number — your name and assigned registration number.
Ingredient list — all ingredients in the product.
Production date — the date the product was made.
Verbatim disclaimer — the required home-kitchen statement (below).
ADHS website address — a website address provided by the Arizona Department of Health Services with foodborne illness reporting contacts, active-registration verification information, and registration-status reporting contacts.
Developmental-disability facility disclosure, if applicable — required only if the product was made in that type of facility.

Verbatim Disclaimer

Arizona requires the following exact disclaimer on every cottage food label:

"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."

Arizona's disclaimer is distinctive for explicitly referencing pet allergens — a reflection of the home-kitchen environment that most other states' disclaimers omit.

If your cottage food is produced in a facility that serves individuals with developmental disabilities, Arizona requires an additional statement to that effect on the label. This conditional requirement applies only in that specific circumstance; most home producers will not need it.

Arizona Cottage Food Label Elements: Required vs. Recommended

Element	Required by Arizona Law	Recommended Best Practice
Product name	Recommended baseline	✅ Helps customers identify the product
Production date	✅ Required	—
Preparer's name and ADHS registration number	✅ Required	Registration number replaces home address
Ingredient list	✅ Required	List in descending order by weight as a best practice
Major allergen declaration	Ingredient/allergen compliance baseline	✅ Make allergens easy to spot
Verbatim disclaimer	✅ Required	—
ADHS website address	✅ Required	Confirm the current department-provided URL before printing
Net weight or volume	Not required	✅ Recommended — builds customer trust
Best-by or use-by date	Not required	✅ Recommended, especially for perishable items
Storage and refrigeration instructions	Not required	✅ Strongly recommended for perishable foods
QR code linking to storefront	Not required	✅ Drives repeat orders via your MyPorch store

Arizona law requires the preparer's name and registration number, ingredients, production date, the verbatim disclaimer, and the department-provided website address, plus a conditional disclosure if the food was made in a facility for individuals with developmental disabilities. The production date and ADHS website address are the two elements home bakers most often miss.

⚠ Watch out

Don't Forget the Production Date and ADHS Webpage

Two Arizona label requirements trip up new producers: the production date and the ADHS website address for illness reporting and registration verification. A label missing either is non-compliant, even if everything else is correct. Your home address, by contrast, is not required — your ADHS registration number takes its place.

For comprehensive allergen and formatting guidance, see our Cottage Food Labeling Requirements guide.

How to Start Selling Cottage Food in Arizona

Arizona's low barriers and absence of a sales cap make it one of the easiest states to launch a home food business. Here's the sequence:

Complete an accredited food handler course. Keep your certificate and make sure it remains active.
Register with ADHS. Complete the online registration with the Arizona Department of Health Services Cottage Food Program. You'll receive your registration number, which goes on every label.
Decide shelf-stable, dairy/meat/poultry, TCS, or a mix. This choice determines your sales channels. Products that do not contain dairy, meat, or poultry can use broader vendor and carrier options; dairy, meat, poultry, and TCS products need in-person delivery and tighter temperature controls.
Build compliant labels. Include every Arizona-required element — especially the production date, ADHS registration number, exact disclaimer, and ADHS website address. MyPorch's label tool generates Arizona-specific labels.
Set up your storefront. With no stated sales cap, Arizona rewards scaling. MyPorch handles menus, prepaid orders, and pickup or delivery scheduling without DM chaos.

For pricing guidance, see How to Price Baked Goods for Your Home Bakery. For order management, see How to Take Pre-Orders for Your Home Bakery.

Summary

Key Takeaways — Arizona Cottage Food Law

Arizona's current cottage food statutes do not state an annual sales cap; sales are allowed to the maximum extent allowed by federal law unless another Arizona cottage-food provision applies.
Arizona's 2024 expansion permits both shelf-stable foods and certain TCS foods, including dairy, meat, and poultry when federal and approved-source rules are met.
Arizona requires online registration with the Arizona Department of Health Services (ADHS) and accredited food handler certification; registration must be renewed every three years.
Arizona allows online sales and third-party vendor/carrier delivery for cottage foods that do not contain dairy, meat, or poultry; dairy, meat, and poultry products must be delivered to the consumer in person.
Arizona labels must include the production date, the preparer's name and ADHS registration number, ingredients, and the verbatim home-kitchen disclaimer — but not a home address.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is there a sales limit for cottage food in Arizona?

Arizona's current cottage food statutes do not state an annual sales cap. A.R.S. § 36-932 says a food preparer may sell cottage food products to the maximum extent allowed by federal law, unless another Arizona cottage-food provision applies.

What foods can I sell under Arizona's cottage food law?

Arizona allows a broad range of foods following HB2042: shelf-stable baked goods, candies, jams, and dried goods, plus certain TCS foods such as dairy, meat, and poultry when federal and approved-source requirements are met. Raw milk, intoxicating alcohol, fish, shellfish, marijuana products, and meat or poultry outside the federal-law allowances remain prohibited.

What is the "Tamale Bill" in Arizona?

The "Tamale Bill" is Arizona House Bill 2042, signed March 29, 2024, and effective September 14, 2024. It significantly expanded Arizona's cottage food law to include certain potentially hazardous or TCS foods and broadened sales and delivery options.

Do I need a permit to sell cottage food in Arizona?

You must register online with the Arizona Department of Health Services (ADHS) before selling. Registration must be renewed every three years, and you should check ADHS for any current registration fees or portal requirements.

Do I need a food handler card for cottage food in Arizona?

Yes. Arizona requires the person preparing the cottage food product or directly supervising preparation to complete an accredited food handler training course and maintain active certification.

Is a kitchen inspection required for cottage food in Arizona?

No pre-registration home kitchen inspection is required under Arizona's cottage food law. ADHS can still investigate reported foodborne illness and enforce the cottage food article, and local zoning or business license rules may still apply.

Can I sell perishable foods like dairy or meat in Arizona?

Yes, with conditions. Arizona's HB2042 allows certain TCS foods, including dairy, meat, and poultry when federal and approved-source requirements are met. Dairy products and foods containing meat or poultry may be sold in person or remotely, including online, but not through third-party food delivery platforms; they must be delivered to the consumer in person. If the product requires TCS and is transported before final delivery, it must be kept at an appropriate temperature, transported only once, and not transported for longer than two hours.

Can I sell cottage food online in Arizona?

Yes. Arizona allows online sales of cottage food. Products that do not contain dairy, meat, or poultry may be delivered by the preparer, an agent, a third-party vendor, or a third-party carrier. Dairy, meat, and poultry products may be sold online but must be delivered to the consumer in person, and third-party food delivery platforms are excluded.

Can I sell cottage food through retail stores or other third-party vendors in Arizona?

Yes, for products that can use third-party vendor channels. Arizona permits third-party vendor sales when the cottage food is displayed in a separate section or display case from nonhomemade food and the vendor displays a sign stating that the cottage food products are homemade and exempt from state licensing and inspection. Cottage foods may not be used as an ingredient in foods sold at a permitted retail food establishment.

Can I ship cottage food out of state from Arizona?

Arizona's cottage food law says sales are allowed to the maximum extent allowed by federal law, and it allows third-party carrier delivery for products that do not contain dairy, meat, or poultry. Interstate shipping still raises federal and receiving-state compliance questions, and many states restrict interstate homemade-food sales. Dairy, meat, poultry, and TCS products have stricter in-person delivery and transport rules.

What disclaimer is required on Arizona cottage food labels?

Arizona requires the verbatim 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." This statement, which uniquely references pet allergens, must appear on every label.

Do I need to put my home address on Arizona cottage food labels?

No. Arizona does not require a home address on cottage food labels. Your ADHS registration number takes the place of an address, which protects your privacy while still allowing customers to verify your registration.

Is a production date required on Arizona cottage food labels?

Yes. Arizona requires the production date — the date the food was made — on every cottage food label. This is one of two Arizona-specific requirements, along with the ADHS website address, that producers most commonly overlook.

What is the ADHS website requirement on Arizona labels?

Arizona requires every cottage food label to include a website address from the Arizona Department of Health Services where customers can report foodborne illness, verify the producer's active registration, and report registration-status issues. Confirm the exact current website address on the ADHS Cottage Food Program site before printing labels.

How often do I renew my Arizona cottage food registration?

Arizona cottage food registration must be renewed every three years. The food preparer must also maintain active food handler certification.

Can I sell home-raised poultry under Arizona's cottage food law?

Yes, within limits. Arizona allows poultry products from producers who raise fewer than 1,000 birds annually. Poultry beyond that threshold, or meat from unapproved sources, falls outside the cottage food exemption.

Can I sell fermented or acidified foods in Arizona?

Possibly, but do not assume every special-process food is allowed. Arizona's expanded definition can include foods that are potentially hazardous or require TCS, but special-process foods must still satisfy ADHS rules, approved-source requirements, and any applicable testing or process controls. Confirm your specific fermented, acidified, freeze-dried, or canned product with the Cottage Food Program before selling.

What does "non-potentially hazardous" mean in Arizona's cottage food law?

"Non-potentially hazardous," or non-TCS, refers to shelf-stable foods that do not require refrigeration to prevent harmful bacterial growth — like many breads, cookies, and jams. As of September 14, 2024, Arizona also permits certain potentially hazardous or TCS foods under specific safety and delivery conditions.

Can I use fresh cream or eggs in my Arizona cottage foods?

Yes, if the product and ingredients meet Arizona, federal, and approved-source requirements. Raw milk itself remains prohibited, but products made with milk from lawful approved sources may qualify. Any TCS product follows the in-person delivery, temperature-control, one-transport, and two-hour transport rules.

Can I sell raw milk under Arizona's cottage food law?

No. Unpasteurized milk is excluded from Arizona's cottage food product definition, and A.R.S. § 36-933 says the cottage food article does not change raw milk requirements under Arizona law. Dairy products made with milk from lawful approved sources may qualify, but raw milk itself is not a cottage food product.

Can I sell CBD or marijuana products under Arizona's cottage food law?

No. Arizona prohibits marijuana and CBD/THC products under the cottage food law. These products are regulated separately and cannot be sold as cottage foods.

Can I sell pet treats under Arizona's cottage food law?

No. Arizona's cottage food law applies to food for human consumption. Pet treats and pet food are regulated separately by the Arizona Department of Agriculture under feed laws.

Do I need a business license for a home bakery in Arizona?

Arizona's cottage food law itself does not require a separate state business license, but you must register with the ADHS Cottage Food Program. Local city or county business licenses or zoning rules may apply, so check with your local government.

Can I sell cottage food at farmers markets and events in Arizona?

Yes. Arizona explicitly permits cottage food sales at farmers markets, fairs, festivals, and temporary events. Standard labeling requirements apply to all packaged products sold at these venues.

Do I need liability insurance for my Arizona cottage food business?

Arizona does not require liability insurance for cottage food producers, but it is strongly recommended. Because home kitchens are not inspected, the producer bears responsibility for food safety, and a liability policy protects you if a customer alleges illness or injury.

Do I need to collect sales tax on cottage food in Arizona?

Generally yes. Arizona cottage food sales are typically subject to transaction privilege tax (Arizona's version of sales tax). Register with the Arizona Department of Revenue or consult a tax professional to confirm your obligations.

What happens if I sell a food that isn't on the approved list in Arizona?

If a product is not clearly permitted — especially a perishable or special-process food — contact the Arizona Department of Health Services Cottage Food Program before selling. Selling a prohibited food, or a perishable food without meeting the safety conditions, can put your registration at risk.

Recent Law Changes

September 14, 2024 — Arizona HB2042 (the "Tamale Bill") took effect, expanding the cottage food law to include certain potentially hazardous or TCS foods, broadening sale and delivery options, and adding the production date and ADHS website address to required label elements.
March 29, 2024 — Arizona HB2042 was signed into law, setting the September 14, 2024 effective date.
Pre-2024 — Arizona's cottage food law permitted only non-perishable (non-TCS) foods, with registration and food handler certification through the Arizona Department of Health Services.

How Arizona Compares

Arizona vs. Similar States

Key metrics across states with similar baker populations.

State	Annual Cap	Wholesale	Online Sales	Inspection
ArizonaThis guide	None	Yes	Yes	No
California	$75K / $150K	Yes	Yes	No
Colorado	$10K	No	Yes	No
Alabama	$20K	No	Yes	No
Florida	$250K	No	Yes	No

Arizona Cottage Food Law 2026: No Stated Sales Cap and an Expanded Food List

Quick Facts