Home Bakery Permit Requirements in Montgomery, 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 for a defined list of non-potentially-hazardous foods (baked goods, jams/jellies, candy, dried herbs, roasted coffee, baking mixes, and qualifying fermented/preserved items — no meat, poultry, or fish). There is no annual revenue cap. Before selling, the producer must complete an approved food-safety course and submit a Cottage Food Review Form to their Local County Health Department (which reviews the certificate and labels but does not inspect the home kitchen). Labels must include the product name, business name and address, ingredient list, a statement that the food is not inspected by the Health Department, and an allergen disclaimer.

   Official government source

   Food-safety course cost varies; county health department review fees vary by county, not by state·Complete the food-safety course before the first sale; local health department review timing varies by county

   Food-safety course cost varies; county health department review fees vary by county, not by state

   Complete the food-safety course before the first sale; local health department review timing varies by county

2. City of Montgomery Finance Department, License and Revenue Division - Business License

   Montgomery requires a city business license (occupational license) for all businesses operating in the city, issued by the Finance Department's License and Revenue Division. Fees are set by schedule and vary by business type and, for many classifications, gross receipts. The license must be renewed annually and displayed at your place of business.

   Official government source

   Not published on the city's site (which blocks automated access); confirm the fee for your business classification with the License and Revenue Division·Not published; confirm with the License and Revenue Division

   Not published on the city's site (which blocks automated access); confirm the fee for your business classification with the License and Revenue Division

   Not published; confirm with the License and Revenue Division

Official Sources

• Alabama Cottage Food Law
• City of Montgomery Revenue Division

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