Home Bakery Permit Requirements in Huntsville, AL

1. EIN (Employer Identification Number)

   Required if you have employees or operate as an LLC or corporation. Free from the IRS.

   Official government source

   Free·Immediate (online application)

   Free

   Immediate (online application)

1. Alabama Department of Revenue - Sales Tax License

   Required for businesses making retail sales of tangible personal property in Alabama. Alabama sales tax is a privilege tax on retail sales; most services are not taxable, so service-only businesses may not need to register. Local city and county sales taxes are also due on top of the state rate and vary by jurisdiction - use ADOR's local tax rate lookup for your address. Register with the Alabama Department of Revenue via My Alabama Taxes (MAT); state and local returns are filed together through ONE SPOT.

   Official government source

   No registration fee is published by ADOR; registration is made through the My Alabama Taxes portal·Not published by ADOR; confirm current processing time with the Department of Revenue

   No registration fee is published by ADOR; registration is made through the My Alabama Taxes portal

   Not published by ADOR; confirm current processing time with the Department of Revenue

2. County Health Department - Food Manager / Food Handler Certification (cottage food)

   Alabama cottage food producers should confirm with their County Health Department whether food manager or food handler certification is required or exempt for their operation; ADPH publishes no statewide mandate. Certification is recommended for food safety regardless.

   Official government source

   Set by each County Health Department and not published statewide; for example Jefferson County charges $15 for its Food Safety Course and $150 for the Certified Food Safety Manager Course·Not published statewide; confirm with your County Health Department

   Set by each County Health Department and not published statewide; for example Jefferson County charges $15 for its Food Safety Course and $150 for the Certified Food Safety Manager Course

   Not published statewide; confirm with your County Health Department

1. Alabama Cottage Food Law

   Alabama allows home food production under the Alabama Cottage Food Law. Non-potentially hazardous foods (baked goods, jams/jellies, candy, dried herbs, roasted coffee, dried baking mixes, certain fermented/preserved produce) can be sold directly to consumers without a food facility license, but the producer must complete a Health Department-approved food safety course and submit a Cottage Food Review Form to the Local County Health Department, which reviews the certificate and labels. There is no annual revenue cap. Labels must be in at least 10-point font and include the food's common name, the cottage food operation's name and home or P.O. Box address, an ingredient list in descending order of predominance, a statement that the food is not inspected by the Health Department, and an allergen disclaimer — the exact wording of that statement is not dictated by the rule.

   Official government source

   Varies by county; check with your Local County Health Department about any fees·Complete the approved food safety course and have the certificate and labels reviewed by the county health department before selling

   Varies by county; check with your Local County Health Department about any fees

   Complete the approved food safety course and have the certificate and labels reviewed by the county health department before selling

2. City of Huntsville Finance Department, Revenue Division — Business License

   Huntsville requires a business license (privilege license tax) for all businesses within city limits. Most licenses are issued by the Finance Department's Revenue Division (256-427-5080); licenses for contractors, subcontractors and building permits are issued through the Inspection Division. The license tax is graduated by annual gross receipts under one of roughly 92 numbered category schedules in the city's License Fees by Schedule — for example Service schedule (77) minimum $35, Profession and vocation schedule (67) minimum $65, Contractor general building schedule (26) minimum $75, and Barbershop or beauty shop schedule (7) at $50 for the first chair/station plus $20 for each additional chair/station — rather than a single flat range. Must be renewed annually and displayed at your place of business.

   Official government source

   Graduated by gross receipts and business category (minimum tiers start at $35 and rise by schedule); see the city's License Fees by Schedule·Not published; confirm with the Revenue Division (256-427-5080)

   Graduated by gross receipts and business category (minimum tiers start at $35 and rise by schedule); see the city's License Fees by Schedule

   Not published; confirm with the Revenue Division (256-427-5080)

Official Sources

• Alabama Cottage Food Law
• City of Huntsville License and Revenue Department

Related Guides