Because our old thread was corrupted in the big crash, we're starting fresh! This attatchment reflects all the information I have gathered on which states will permit/license your home kitchen for public cake preparation, and relevant contact information.
The chart is coded by color:
Green = YES, this state allows/permits/licenses home kitchens for cake/baking businesses
Orange = NO, this state will not allow you to have a food business in your home kitchen
Yellow = VARIES BY COUNTY, check with the county in which you reside
White = No information yet
For the purposes of this chart and thread, a "home kitchen" is your own home kitchen where you prepare food for yourself and your family, not a separate kitchen on your property.
Of course, this is not a legal document, and you should always check with your local Health Department or Agriculture Department before beginning any type of food business.
To keep this thread from getting too large and unwieldy, please only add to it if you have a correction, or new information on a state. Please start a new thread to ask a specific question about a state's regulations, as that way it will be more likely to be seen by someone who can help.
Some counties allow the primary home kitchen to be licensed, but many do not.
For instance, in my county the kitchen can be on your property, but has to have a separate entrance for just the kitchen.
BigTexinWV Junior Member
Joined: Mar 02, 2008
Posts: 89
Location: West Virginia
Birthday: Feb 09
Posted:
Tue Jun 03, 2008 4:01 pm
Marion County in West Virginia is a no go.
The guy at HD did tell me to "just go for it!"
He said and I am quoteing him here "What's the worst that could happen?"
So I said "I don't know, what is the worst that could happen?"
He said "Well.....I would come out and tell you if you don't have a permit then you can't sell cakes."
Me "So I can't sell cakes?"
HD "Legally? No! Personally, I don't care! I am not going to come over to your house and check everything out. Espeically if you are only selling to a handful of people!"
So legally I cannot sell cakes, but the guy at HD really encourged me to "just go for it!"
You gotta love WV! These people are a hoot!
ribby0224 Junior Member
Joined: Jan 22, 2008
Posts: 27
Birthday: Mar 08
Posted:
Thu Jun 05, 2008 12:24 pm
Hippiemama wrote:
The information for Missouri is incorrect.
In Missouri it varies by county.
Some counties allow the primary home kitchen to be licensed, but many do not.
For instance, in my county the kitchen can be on your property, but has to have a separate entrance for just the kitchen.
Hippiemama,
What county are you in and do you know if it is Ok in Clay county?
I'm not sure about Clay county. I know Greene and Laclede rules well though, lol!
If you contact the nearest health department they will give you more information than you ever wanted to know.
poshcakedesigns Forum Addict
Joined: Jan 15, 2008
Posts: 513
Posted:
Sat Jun 07, 2008 1:06 am
Thanks -
Alabama info is correct, unfortunately.
K8memphis- Forum SuperStar!
Joined: Mar 21, 2005
Posts: 4895
Location: Memphis 10 C
Posted:
Sun Jun 08, 2008 6:15 pm
Tennessee varies by county. Shelby County in West TN where Memphis is located does not allow cake bakeries except in commercially zoned areas. During the past year we have gone through the drama/trauma of having some of our cakers turned in for cake baking in their homes.
It is true that the state will certify home kitchens to do baking for farmer's market purposes. But not for cake bakeries like we are talking about in this thread because the Shelby County Health Department sent out cease and desist letters to four of my friends.
Tennessee varies by at least one county, mine unfortunately. sniff
ribby0224 Junior Member
Joined: Jan 22, 2008
Posts: 27
Birthday: Mar 08
Posted:
Mon Jun 09, 2008 6:58 am
Thanks Hippiemama.
kelleym Official CakeBoss Rep
Joined: Aug 24, 2005
Posts: 3242
Birthday: Dec 21
Posted:
Fri Oct 24, 2008 5:25 pm
Updated document as of Oct. 2008.
Again, to keep this thread from becoming too gigantic, please limit posts to corrections or new information. Questions about specific states or counties should be posted in a new thread where you have the greatest chance of someone who can help you seeing it.
states that permit home bakeries_oct2008.xls
Description:
Revised document updated 10/2008
Filesize:
36 KB
Viewed:
6910 Time(s)
states that permit home bakeries_oct2008.xls
Description:
Revised document updated 10/2008
Filesize:
36 KB
Viewed:
6910 Time(s)
auntmamie Forum Addict
Joined: Aug 11, 2007
Posts: 508
Posted:
Thu Dec 11, 2008 6:39 pm
Vermont does allow home bakeries . The tradename must be registered with the Sec of State, Kitchen must be inspected, Application filed, water tests completed, Vermont Business License & Tax ID Number Procured, and certificate of business insurance procured.
Joined: Jun 06, 2006
Posts: 923
Location: Seward, Nebraska
Posted:
Wed Dec 24, 2008 6:25 am
Well, having just gone thru all of this myself i know that in the state of NEBRASKA you CANNOT bake from home. The kitchen has to be seperate from your home.
indydebi Forum Matriarch
Joined: Jul 07, 2006
Posts: 21807
Location: Indianapolis IN
Birthday: Jan 19
I was browsing the Business Forum Sticky on state laws re: bakeries and home businesses ... found this post on page 7. I didnt' read any further to see if there were any countering posts, so you might check out the thread: http://cakecentral.com/modules.....&&start=90
krzyzak wrote:
for nebraska.I made some calls today to find out information about getting a license. What I did find out is if you don't advertise and only do it 3 days or less a week you don't need one. If you do advertise you do need it. and one of the requrements is to have a seperate kitchen for a license if you live in lincoln or omaha there is a little more to getting the license. they did give me a website www.agr.ne.gov for a place to go to see the requirements in the dairies and food section. I hope this helps
stacey
onceuponacake Forum Addict
Joined: Aug 12, 2006
Posts: 604
Location: GA
Posted:
Mon Jan 05, 2009 4:11 pm
Georgia should be yellow. In some counties you can operate a cake business from your house as long as you have a seperate kitchen. I have two friends who have them. Unfortunatley, I'm in a county that doesn't.
GrandmaG Forum Fanatic
Joined: Nov 19, 2007
Posts: 1694
Location: Nebraska
Birthday: Jan 04
Posted:
Mon Jan 05, 2009 4:27 pm
kakesbykitty is right. It's a no in Nebraska unless it's a separate kitchen. Doesn't matter how often you use it or advertise.
cakediva1982 Newbie
Joined: Dec 31, 2008
Posts: 4
Posted:
Sun Jan 11, 2009 11:58 am
I can't open the list!!! Is it legal in California?
You cannot post new topics in this forum You cannot reply to topics in this forum You cannot edit your posts in this forum You cannot delete your posts in this forum You cannot vote in polls in this forum You cannot attach files in this forum You can download files in this forum
Questions about specific states or counties should be posted in a new thread where you have the greatest chance of someone who can help you seeing it. 
