Can you sell pure honey from home?

26 of 51 jurisdictions (50 states plus DC) allow pure honey to be made in a home kitchen under cottage food rules, often with conditions. 1 require a commercial kitchen. Here's why, and where each state lands.

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The food science

Honey is one of the most naturally shelf-stable foods. Its water activity is low enough that bacteria and most yeasts are not expected to grow. Honey can contain botulism spores, though, so it should never be given to infants under one year old. Some states handle honey through separate beekeeper exemptions rather than cottage food rules.

Where pure honey 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 (26)

Alaska. Eligible.
Arizona. Allowed.
Arkansas. Honey products are allowed.
California. Honey is approved only when pure, with nothing added.
Colorado. Honey is a cottage food.
Florida. Raw honey you harvest, pack, and sell yourself is allowed. Repackaged bulk honey isn't.
Hawaii. Allowed.
Idaho. Allowed.
Indiana. Honey is allowed.
Iowa. Allowed.
Kansas. Plain or spun honey is allowed.
Louisiana. Honey is covered.
Maine. Allowed.
Minnesota. Allowed.
Montana. Allowed.
Nebraska. Allowed.
North Carolina. Honey is on the eligible list.
North Dakota. Allowed.
Oklahoma. Allowed.
Oregon. Honey products are allowed.
Tennessee. Allowed.
Texas. Allowed.
Utah. Allowed; also on UDAF's cottage list.
Virginia. Pure honey from your own hives is exempt, up to 250 gallons a year.
West Virginia. Allowed.
Wyoming. Allowed.

Needs a commercial kitchen (1)

New Hampshire. Honey is excluded from homestead food.

Regulated by a separate agency (1)

South Dakota. Honey is regulated by another agency.

Not clearly addressed: ask the agency first (23)

Alabama. Not clearly addressed in the state's guidance.
Connecticut. Not clearly addressed in the state's guidance.
Delaware. Not clearly addressed in the state's guidance.
District of Columbia. Not clearly addressed in the state's guidance.
Georgia. Not clearly addressed in the state's guidance.
Illinois. Not clearly addressed in the state's guidance.
Kentucky. Not clearly addressed in the state's guidance.
Maryland. Not on the cottage food list.
Massachusetts. Not clearly addressed in the state's guidance.
Michigan. Not clearly addressed in the state's guidance.
Mississippi. Not clearly addressed in the state's guidance.
Missouri. Not one of the law's three categories; honey has separate rules.
Nevada. Not clearly addressed in the state's guidance.
New Jersey. Not clearly addressed in the state's guidance.
New Mexico. Not clearly addressed in the state's guidance.
New York. Not covered by the home processor list.
Ohio. Honey falls under Ohio's exempt beekeeper rules rather than cottage food.
Pennsylvania. Not clearly addressed in the state's guidance.
Rhode Island. Not clearly addressed in the state's guidance.
South Carolina. Not clearly addressed in the state's guidance.
Vermont. Not clearly addressed in the state's guidance.
Washington. Not clearly addressed in the state's guidance.
Wisconsin. Not clearly addressed in the state's guidance.

Developing pure honey?

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.

Book a call Check your state on the map

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.