Cannot License At Home In Al - So What Can I Do?
Decorating By dmo4ab Updated 19 Oct 2013 , 10:43am by wespam
Hello,
Still confused!!?? My husband is contemplating taking a job in Mobile, AL & I'm still confused with the different postings re:AL laws. Can anyone clarify if AL is a cottage law state? Is it legal in AL to convert your garage into a commercial kitchen to sell goods out of? Knowing this information will really help in our home purchase decision. I'll definitely check into renting space, but again, I'm not quite at the level to dive in with too much up-front cost with the big move. Any more recent legal information would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!!!
Happy decorating 
!!!
Yes you may convert a garage into a shop. We added a room onto our house to make our commercial kitchen. It just had to have a separate entrance and a bathroom. Of course this is in North Alabama, and as far as I know every county is a little different. It probably would benefit you to call the health dept. of the county you are planning on moving to.
I am pretty sure for you to have a cake business in your home you have to have a fully functional commercial kitchen, like in a garage seperate from your home. It will have to have not only baking equipment that passes inspection but also usually requires a commercial drain. If you are on city sewer that is another problem, how you have to set up a kitchen really depends on if you are in the city limits as opposed to outside the city limits. I was told from the state health dept. in Montgomery that if you sell at a state sanctioned farmers market in an un-licensed kitchen you are supposed to put a label on your food that it has been prepared in an un-inspected facility. The cottage law only covers the selling of baked goods at the farmers market...with the label and you are not supossed to take any orders...deliver any orders..etc...since leagally you are not a licensed business. Hope this helps some...
WAYS AROUND THE FINE LINE FOR NOW. MY AUNT IS A FOOD SCIENCE COLLEGE PROFESSOR WHO WORKS WITH FORMER STUDENTS WHO WORK FOR THE HEALTH DEPARTMENT AND DO INSPECTIONS. THE FIRST WAY AROUND IT IS TO HAVE A SMALL STORAGE BUILDING OR WAREHOUSE BUILT IN YOUR BACKYARD AND JUST MAKE SURE IT HAS RUNNING WATER. THE OTHER THING YOU CAN DO IS RENT SPACE FROM A BUSINESS THAT ALREADY HAS A KITCHEN. FOR EXAMPLE, I HAVE A FRIEND WHO OWNS A CLUB, WELL THERE ONLY OPEN AT NIGHT AND ON WEEKENDS. I CAN SAY I USE THE KITCHEN DURING THE MORNINGS AND AFTERNOONS. JUST A FEW IDEAS THEY GAVE ME OF HOW TO MAKE DO UNTIL YOUR MONEY IS RIGHT.
I just seen this thread reopened so there may be someone who might be interested in taking their hobby to a professional level in my area. I know how hard it is to find a suitable place without spending a huge amount. I'm in Hartselle, AL, between Decatur and Cullman and I'm planning on retiring at the end of the year from my licensed shop and have started advertising it for sale. I don't want to abuse the privileges here so you can PM me if you would like more details.
Quote by @%username% on %date%
%body%