2 of 51 jurisdictions (50 states plus DC) allow cheese and yogurt to be made in a home kitchen under cottage food rules, often with conditions. 2 require a commercial kitchen. Here's why, and where each state lands.
Dairy products are regulated separately from other foods, through state dairy licensing programs. Production generally takes place in a licensed dairy plant using pasteurized milk, which is why cheese and yogurt fall outside most cottage food laws, although many states don't address dairy directly in their cottage food rules.
Where cheese and yogurt can be made at home
Allowed from a home kitchenNeeds a commercial kitchen or another agencyNot clearly addressed: ask first
Select a state to open its guide. Every state's conditions are listed below the map.
Allowed from a home kitchen (2)
Nebraska. Cheese and ice cream made from approved-source milk are allowed, kept cold. Raw milk isn't.
Wyoming. Dairy products are allowed and can be sold through retail shops.
Needs a commercial kitchen (2)
Iowa. Milk products under chapters 192 and 194 are excluded.
Utah. Raw dairy is excluded; other dairy products need a license.
Regulated by a separate agency (39)
Alabama. General rule, not specifically addressed in this state's guidance; ask the agency to confirm. Dairy products are licensed separately, through the state's dairy program.
Alaska. General rule, not specifically addressed in this state's guidance; ask the agency to confirm. Dairy products are licensed separately, through the state's dairy program.
Arkansas. General rule, not specifically addressed in this state's guidance; ask the agency to confirm. Dairy products are licensed separately, through the state's dairy program.
California. Dairy products are regulated by CDFA's Milk and Dairy Food Safety Branch.
Colorado. General rule, not specifically addressed in this state's guidance; ask the agency to confirm. Dairy products are licensed separately, through the state's dairy program.
Connecticut. General rule, not specifically addressed in this state's guidance; ask the agency to confirm. Dairy products are licensed separately, through the state's dairy program.
Delaware. General rule, not specifically addressed in this state's guidance; ask the agency to confirm. Dairy products are licensed separately, through the state's dairy program.
District of Columbia. General rule, not specifically addressed in this state's guidance; ask the agency to confirm. Dairy products are licensed separately, through the state's dairy program.
Florida. General rule, not specifically addressed in this state's guidance; ask the agency to confirm. Dairy products are licensed separately, through the state's dairy program.
Georgia. General rule, not specifically addressed in this state's guidance; ask the agency to confirm. Dairy products are licensed separately, through the state's dairy program.
Hawaii. General rule, not specifically addressed in this state's guidance; ask the agency to confirm. Dairy products are licensed separately, through the state's dairy program.
Illinois. General rule, not specifically addressed in this state's guidance; ask the agency to confirm. Dairy products are licensed separately, through the state's dairy program.
Indiana. General rule, not specifically addressed in this state's guidance; ask the agency to confirm. Dairy products are licensed separately, through the state's dairy program.
Kentucky. General rule, not specifically addressed in this state's guidance; ask the agency to confirm. Dairy products are licensed separately, through the state's dairy program.
Louisiana. General rule, not specifically addressed in this state's guidance; ask the agency to confirm. Dairy products are licensed separately, through the state's dairy program.
Maine. Dairy items like cheese must be made in a commercial facility with additional licensing.
Maryland. General rule, not specifically addressed in this state's guidance; ask the agency to confirm. Dairy products are licensed separately, through the state's dairy program.
Massachusetts. General rule, not specifically addressed in this state's guidance; ask the agency to confirm. Dairy products are licensed separately, through the state's dairy program.
Michigan. General rule, not specifically addressed in this state's guidance; ask the agency to confirm. Dairy products are licensed separately, through the state's dairy program.
Minnesota. General rule, not specifically addressed in this state's guidance; ask the agency to confirm. Dairy products are licensed separately, through the state's dairy program.
Mississippi. General rule, not specifically addressed in this state's guidance; ask the agency to confirm. Dairy products are licensed separately, through the state's dairy program.
Missouri. General rule, not specifically addressed in this state's guidance; ask the agency to confirm. Dairy products are licensed separately, through the state's dairy program.
Nevada. General rule, not specifically addressed in this state's guidance; ask the agency to confirm. Dairy products are licensed separately, through the state's dairy program.
New Hampshire. General rule, not specifically addressed in this state's guidance; ask the agency to confirm. Dairy products are licensed separately, through the state's dairy program.
New Jersey. General rule, not specifically addressed in this state's guidance; ask the agency to confirm. Dairy products are licensed separately, through the state's dairy program.
New Mexico. General rule, not specifically addressed in this state's guidance; ask the agency to confirm. Dairy products are licensed separately, through the state's dairy program.
New York. General rule, not specifically addressed in this state's guidance; ask the agency to confirm. Dairy products are licensed separately, through the state's dairy program.
North Carolina. Dairy products are ineligible for home processing.
Ohio. General rule, not specifically addressed in this state's guidance; ask the agency to confirm. Dairy products are licensed separately, through the state's dairy program.
Oregon. General rule, not specifically addressed in this state's guidance; ask the agency to confirm. Dairy products are licensed separately, through the state's dairy program.
Pennsylvania. General rule, not specifically addressed in this state's guidance; ask the agency to confirm. Dairy products are licensed separately, through the state's dairy program.
Rhode Island. General rule, not specifically addressed in this state's guidance; ask the agency to confirm. Dairy products are licensed separately, through the state's dairy program.
South Carolina. General rule, not specifically addressed in this state's guidance; ask the agency to confirm. Dairy products are licensed separately, through the state's dairy program.
South Dakota. Dairy is regulated by another agency.
Vermont. General rule, not specifically addressed in this state's guidance; ask the agency to confirm. Dairy products are licensed separately, through the state's dairy program.
Virginia. General rule, not specifically addressed in this state's guidance; ask the agency to confirm. Dairy products are licensed separately, through the state's dairy program.
Washington. General rule, not specifically addressed in this state's guidance; ask the agency to confirm. Dairy products are licensed separately, through the state's dairy program.
West Virginia. General rule, not specifically addressed in this state's guidance; ask the agency to confirm. Dairy products are licensed separately, through the state's dairy program.
Wisconsin. General rule, not specifically addressed in this state's guidance; ask the agency to confirm. Dairy products are licensed separately, through the state's dairy program.
Not clearly addressed: ask the agency first (8)
Arizona. Unpasteurized milk is excluded; dairy made from pasteurized milk must be sold and delivered in person.
North Dakota. Not addressed by the cottage food chapter.
Oklahoma. Raw milk products are excluded; pasteurized dairy products are TCS foods.
Tennessee. Raw milk is excluded. Products from pasteurized milk are TCS foods, sold in person only.
Texas. Raw milk products are prohibited. Products made from pasteurized dairy aren't on the prohibited list but are TCS foods.
Developing cheese and yogurt?
Mendocino Food Consulting helps food entrepreneurs with formulation, pH, and shelf-stability questions. We are food scientists, not attorneys, and we don't provide legal advice.
Rules summarized from the sources listed in each state's guide, reviewed October 2026. Each state's conditions and exceptions are described in its guide; confirm with the agency before selling.
Get the latest on food safety, regulations, and best practices
An occasional email from Mendocino Food Consulting. By signing up, you agree to receive these emails. See our privacy policy.