South Carolina Cottage Laws
Ready to turn your South Carolina home kitchen into a thriving food business? You're in luck! South Carolina has some of the most generous cottage food laws in the entire country, making it incredibly easy to start your dream baking business!
What Makes South Carolina Amazing for Home Bakers
🚫 No Sales Limit
Unlike many states, South Carolina doesn't cap how much money you can make. Sell as much as you want!
🚫 No Permits or Inspections Required
No health department permits or kitchen inspections needed to get started.
🚫 No Food Safety Training Required
While recommended, you don't need to take mandatory food safety courses.
🏪 Sell Almost Anywhere
- Direct to customers
- Online with shipping
- Through retail stores and restaurants
- Farmers markets and events
📦 Almost Any Non-Perishable Food Allowed
South Carolina allows you to sell almost any type of non-potentially hazardous food – much more variety than most states!
What You Can Make and Sell
✅ You CAN Sell These Foods:
Baked Goods:
- Breads, rolls, bagels, buns
- Cakes, cupcakes, muffins
- Cookies, brownies, bars
- Pies (fruit pies)
- Pastries, donuts, scones
- Wedding cakes and decorated cakes
- Tortillas and flatbreads
Sweet Treats:
- Candies and confections
- Chocolate-covered items
- Caramel corn and kettle corn
- Marshmallows and fudge
- Candied apples
- Cotton candy
Pantry Items:
- Granola and cereal
- Nuts and seeds
- Dried fruits and vegetables
- Spices and herb mixes
- Coffee beans and tea leaves
- Pasta noodles (dry)
- Crackers and pretzels
- Popcorn and snack mixes
Preserves and More:
- Jams and jellies
- Fruit leathers
- Pickles and fermented vegetables
- Vegetable chips
- Honey (up to 400 gallons with exemption)
The Golden Rule: If it doesn't need refrigeration to stay safe, you can probably sell it!
❌ You CANNOT Sell These Foods:
Potentially Hazardous Foods:
- Fresh dairy products (milk, cheese, yogurt)
- Meat and poultry products
- Fish and seafood
- Foods requiring refrigeration
- Cream pies, cheesecakes, custard desserts
- Fresh cut fruits or vegetables
- Cooked rice, pasta, or vegetable dishes
- Fresh salsa or dips
Your Simple 3-Step Start-Up Process
Step 1: Check Your Setup
Make sure you have:
- Clean, sanitary home kitchen
- Proper refrigeration
- Hot water and adequate sink facilities
- Separate hand washing area
- Working toilet
- No pest problems
- Special requirement: If you have well water or septic system, get health department approval
Step 2: Create Your Labels
Every product needs proper labeling (unless you sell less than $1,500 annually):
Required Label Information:
- Product name
- Your business name and address (or SCDA ID number)
- Complete ingredient list (heaviest to lightest)
- Net weight or quantity
- Allergen information
- Required disclaimer: “PROCESSED AND PREPARED BY A HOME-BASED FOOD PRODUCTION OPERATION THAT IS NOT SUBJECT TO SOUTH CAROLINA'S FOOD SAFETY REGULATIONS” (in all caps!)
Step 3: Start Selling!
No permits needed – you can start immediately once your labels are ready!
Where You Can Sell Your Products
Direct Sales:
- From your home
- Farmers markets
- Special events and festivals
- Roadside stands
- Online (with shipping allowed!)
- Home delivery
Indirect Sales (Through Others):
- Retail stores (grocery stores, gift shops)
- Restaurants (they can resell your products)
- Third-party vendors
Note: Retail locations must post a sign indicating that home-based food products are not subject to commercial food regulations.
Special Perks of South Carolina's Law
🌐 Online Sales and Shipping Allowed
Unlike many states, you can sell online and ship your products anywhere! This opens up massive market opportunities.
🏪 Retail Store Sales Permitted
You can sell through grocery stores, gift shops, and other retailers – a huge advantage for scaling your business.
🍯 Honey Exemption Available
Sell up to 400 gallons of honey directly to consumers with a special exemption.
💰 Under $1,500 Exemption
If you sell less than $1,500 worth of products per year, you don't even need to follow most labeling requirements!
Kitchen and Safety Requirements
Basic Kitchen Standards:
- Keep your kitchen clean and sanitary
- Separate business ingredients from personal use
- No pets in food preparation areas
- No domestic activities while processing food
- Proper storage for ingredients and finished products
Water and Sewer Requirements:
- Well water: Must be approved by health department
- Septic system: Must be approved by health department
- Municipal services: No special approval needed
Sanitation Essentials:
- Hot water for cleaning
- Separate hand washing facilities
- Proper sanitizing equipment
- Clean storage areas
- No signs of pests or rodents
Labeling Made Simple
Required Information:
- Product name (like “Chocolate Chip Cookies”)
- Your business name
- Your address (or SCDA ID number for privacy)
- Complete ingredient list (in order of weight)
- Net quantity
- Allergen information
- Required disclaimer statement (in all caps)
Privacy Option:
Don't want your home address on labels? You can apply for a South Carolina Department of Agriculture ID number to use instead!
Label Design Tips:
- Use high-contrast text for the disclaimer
- Make sure allergen info is clear
- Consider professional label printing services
- Use your labels as marketing tools
Business Setup Considerations
Business License:
You'll need a basic business license for tax purposes, but not a food establishment permit.
Taxes:
- Keep detailed records of income and expenses
- File monthly tax returns as required
- Separate business and personal finances
Insurance:
- Check if homeowner's insurance covers home businesses
- Consider liability insurance (strongly recommended)
- Some retailers may require proof of insurance
Food Safety Best Practices
Even though training isn't required, following good food safety practices protects your customers and your business:
Personal Hygiene:
- Wash hands frequently
- Don't work when sick
- Wear clean clothes and aprons
- Keep hair covered or tied back
Kitchen Practices:
- Clean and sanitize surfaces regularly
- Use proper storage temperatures
- Check expiration dates on ingredients
- Follow good manufacturing practices
Product Safety:
- Test recipes for consistency
- Properly package finished products
- Store products in appropriate conditions
- Monitor for signs of spoilage
Growing Your Business
Scaling Opportunities:
- Start small with direct sales to build reputation
- Expand online to reach customers statewide
- Partner with retailers to increase distribution
- Consider farmers markets for regular income
When You Outgrow Cottage Food Laws:
- Rent commercial kitchen space
- Get retail food establishment license
- Build dedicated commercial facility
- Partner with co-packing companies
Success Stories
South Carolina's generous cottage food laws have enabled countless entrepreneurs to build successful businesses. From single parents creating flexible income to retirees turning hobbies into profit, the state's supportive regulations help dreams become reality.
Many successful cottage food businesses start by:
- Perfecting a signature product
- Building a loyal local customer base
- Leveraging social media for marketing
- Gradually expanding to retail partnerships
Common Questions Answered
Q: Do I need any special training?
A: No mandatory training required, but food safety courses are recommended and can help your business.
Q: Can I hire employees?
A: The law doesn't specifically address employees, but most cottage food operations are owner-operated.
Q: What about sales tax?
A: You'll need to register for and collect sales tax as required by South Carolina law.
Q: Can I sell at restaurants?
A: Yes! Restaurants can purchase your products for resale, but they cannot use them as ingredients in prepared dishes without special approval.
Q: Do I need special equipment?
A: No, you can use standard home kitchen equipment. Commercial equipment isn't required.
Resources and Support
Official Resources:
- South Carolina Department of Agriculture: Food Safety Division
- Clemson Extension: Cottage food guidance and support
- Contact: sccottagefood@clemson.edu or (888) 656-9988
Community Support:
- SC Cottage Food Law Facebook Page: Active community with 4,500+ members
- Local farmers markets: Great networking opportunities
- Small business development centers
Educational Resources:
- Clemson Extension cottage food guides
- Food safety training courses (optional but helpful)
- Business development workshops
Bottom Line
South Carolina offers some of the most entrepreneur-friendly cottage food laws in America! With no sales limits, no required permits, and the ability to sell through retail stores and online, the Palmetto State makes it incredibly easy to turn your culinary passion into profit.
Whether you're dreaming of selling your famous cookies at the local farmers market or building an online empire shipping treats across the country, South Carolina's cottage food laws give you the freedom to make it happen!
Ready to Start Your South Carolina Cottage Food Adventure?
With generous food allowances, no sales caps, and retail sales permitted, South Carolina makes it easier than almost any other state to build a successful home food business. The only question is: what delicious products will you create first?
Getting Started Checklist: ✓ Ensure kitchen meets basic sanitation requirements
✓ Get well water/septic approved if applicable
✓ Create proper product labels
✓ Obtain business license for tax purposes
✓ Start selling and building your dream business!
Key Contacts:
- Cottage Food Questions: sccottagefood@clemson.edu
- General Info: (888) 656-9988
- Business Licensing: South Carolina Department of Revenue
This guide provides general information about South Carolina cottage food laws as of 2025. Always verify current requirements with official sources and consult professionals for specific legal or tax questions.
