Just wanted to get an idea of how many "home bakeries" out there are licensed and how many are just risking it. Please vote!

I'm not licensed, but I am legal. In Ohio you can have a cottage foods operation and that's what I do.

I am not lisc. But in NC you can bake 2 days a month without inspection or lisc. legally. I have not done this yet but intend to.

I am licensed, in Minnesota you have to be. I just have a hard time not following the laws that are set in place.

I am in the process of finding out, b/c I am not sure what I am risking and dont know if I want to find out.

I am not licensed, but in Iowa if you don't sell refrigerated product, you don't have to be inspected.

Not yet. I'm hoping someone from here can help me get started with getting license in California.

start with this link on this site.
http://www.cakecentral.com/article57-US-Wanting-to-start-a-Cake-Decorating-Business-but-where-do-I-begin.html
It is a great starting pt.

looks like we are about 50/50 right now. interesting.

bump. I know there are more than 30 of us on here!

I am a licensed bakery in Houston, Texas.

I'm not licensed and am having a hard time figuring it out here in GA. I have read the other post about licensing states, but OMG GA is confusing! My husband says that he read an article within the last year about a change in law to get around the health inspection if you produce under a certain amount each year. However, he did not giveme the article and I can't find anything about it online. I am scared to contact any of the businesses in town for fear they will turn me in; people in this area are extremely competitive.

there was a thread earlier this year about GA, I don't think the bill ever became law, good luck figuring it all out!

I am also from Ohio and work from my home. When I got started, I called the Department of Agriculture, who informed me that as long as my product didn't need to be refrigerated, I did not need to be inspected. I must label my boxes with ingredients and state that it is a home business, but other than that, there aren't a lot of requirements.

Nope, not licensed, and haven't a clue about how to get licensed either! Nobody's ever asked and I certainly don't tell, I have had one or two people think I own an actual bakery though (I wish!), when I've explained that I work from home, no-one has cared!

I am licensed and legal. In Alabama to be legal you must use a commercial kitchen to be legal. I rent one part time.

kats0916,

I'm from GA too and I'm wanting to get licensed but haven't made my research. Let me know if you find out anything and I will do the same.

I'm licensed by the department of agriculture and completely legal. I not only sell out of my home, but at a farmer's market during the summer. In order to do retail sales at the market, I need to be compliant and up to date with a food safety certificate, a license and proof of kitchen inspection.

I'm from Ohio and will be selling items that need to be in the fridge so I will be licensed soon. Was so supposed be tomorrow but the inspector realised after I had rescheduled twice that tomorrow is a holiday for government workers. You would think he had known about this when I talked to him 2 weeks ago. Now I have to wait til mid-December.

I'm in Virginia and legal but not licensed. Here, different areas have different laws for home based bakeries. I would have to be licensed if I did catering but not for cakes as long as I'm not making over a certain amount of money. I can't advertise in any way other than by word of mouth and business cards, but I can do wedding expos if I choose. I have found this to be all the advertising I need. I get as much business as I can handle and I've been doing this a long time.

I live above the state line in Michigan and it's a pain in the behind to be legal here, so I use my church's kitchen in Ohio and am considered a wholesale bakery since I will be selling refridgerated items. got to love OHIO!!!!

I'm in Missouri and legal.

Andrea

I am not license, but I only bake for friends and family. I live in Marietta, GA (COBB) and they require that you either lease/rent a place, can't work out of your home..and the same for Atlanta..I own a place there too and when I was living there I checked and you can't work out of your home, even with a separate kitchen.

I am licensed in Maine through the Department of Agriculture and the town in which I reside. For the state license I have to have my water tested for bacteria and a submit a statement from the local code enforcement officer or plumbing inspector saying that I comply with the guidelines concerning proper waste water disposal. An inspector from the State Dept of Agriculture inspects my kitchen, sink, hot water and 'fridge temperatures, etc. once a year. (They drop by unannounced! ).

For my town's victuler's license, a yearly application requires signatures from the Fire Chief, Police Chief, and the Code Enforcement Officer. It is then goes before the town council to be voted on.

The fees aren't bad at all. $10 for each (state & local) license and $25 for the water test submitted to the Dept. of Human Services.

i live in Australia and I dont really know what the requirements for licensing are over here. But I am only really doing for family and friends.

Anyone in Washington licensed?

I know you need to have a commercial kitchen seperate from your home, but what else do you need to do to start a business and get licensed? I have looked at the link CC gives you, but I get confused and it looks like you have to jump through a bunch of hoops.

I am licensed in Delaware and work out of a rented commercial kitchen space. First bridal show that I went to, another cake decorator tried to turn me in thinking that I wasn't licensed. I was really glad that I didn't take any chances.

I'm legal. I've got a license from the Town Hall for operating a business from home, and I'm registered with my Province governement, so I can advertise. It was easier than I thought to get licensed here. And I can still do my things at home while everything is baking!!