Official Site of The State of New Jersey
Key Points
- Complete all outlined steps before applying.
- Renewals require a full and complete application form, $100 fee, and all supporting documents.
- All applications must include all required information and documentation for professional review.
Before Applying
Complete each step below before applying for a cottage food permit.
If your local zoning board does not allow Cottage Food businesses in your area, you are not eligible for a Cottage Food Operator's permit. Call or email your local zoning board, tell them where you live, and ask if you are allowed to operate a cottage food business in your home. Visit your local town's website to find the zoning board's contact information.
Apply for Cottage Food if you want to:
Make approved baked goods in your home kitchen
Meet directly with your customer to deliver approved baked goods
Make and sell approved baked goods/Non-TCS products at events and farmers markets (combined with local health approvals)
Do NOT apply for Cottage Food if you want to:
Open a retail store or bakery. To do this, contact your local health department.
Work as a home chef or offer catering services. To do this, contact your local health department.
Operate a food cart or food truck. To do this, contact your local health department.
Send products through the mail. To do this, you need a commercial kitchen. Contact your local health department.
Sell your product in grocery stores. To do this, you need a commercial kitchen. Contact the wholesale food project.
Your Food Manager's Certification must be valid and in good standing at the time of application or renewal.
Submit proof of water potability with your new application. An updated proof of water potability is required with every renewal.
Find out where to get proof of water potability
Submit Your Application
If you have completed the steps above, you are ready to submit your cottage food permit application.
Here are the steps for submitting your application:
If you need further assistance, send an email to cfo@doh.nj.gov
For each different product that you intend to sell under the Cottage Food Operator's Permit, as well as each frosting and filling you intend to use, submit detailed answers to the following questions. A Food Safety Specialist will evaluate your answers to ensure that your product is non-TCS as required. Incomplete or vague answers that prevent a thorough safety review will result in a denial of your product.
You may include these answers in the body of your email or in a separate document attachment with your submission. Please answer all questions for each product you will prepare. You may list multiple flavors on the same questionnaire if the base recipe is the same.
Product Questionnaire: complete for each finished product, each frosting, and each filling
- Name of Product, Filling, or Frosting
- Is this product information a trade secret? Trade secrets are not subject to the Open Public Records Act, therefore they are not accessible to the public.
- List all ingredients that are or may be used in this recipe. Include the quantity of each, preferably by weight in ALL ounces or ALL grams.
- Describe the step-by-step recipe instructions/process for making this product.
- Where do your ingredients come from? Indicate the source of raw ingredients.
- Submit a copy of the product label as it will appear on the finished product.
Your application fee of $100 pays for the processing and professional review of your submission by the New Jersey State Retail Food Specialist. This fee is not refundable.
Click the button below to open the online payment page. After you are finished payment, you will receive a payment confirmation number. Enter the payment confirmation number in the appropriate field on the application form.
Add all required documents as attachments to one email:
- Cottage Food Operator's Permit Application
- Completed Questionnaire
- Food Manager's Certification
- Proof of Water Potability
- $100 application payment confirmation number
Send your email to cfo@doh.nj.gov
What Happens Next?
A NJDOH Food Safety Specialist will review your submission for compliance with the Cottage Food Rule. If more information is needed, you will receive an email from CFO@doh.nj.gov or a representative will call you.
The processing and careful review of your application takes 6-8 weeks. If some or all products submitted are not listed in the Cottage Food Rule, allow 8-12 weeks.