Home Bakery Permit Requirements in Baton Rouge, LA

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. Louisiana Department of Revenue — Sales Tax Registration

   Required for all businesses selling taxable goods or services in Louisiana. The Louisiana state sales tax rate is 5%. Sellers must apply for a sales tax certificate with the Louisiana Department of Revenue. Louisiana also has parish- and municipal-level sales taxes collected separately by local collectors, so the combined rate varies by parish and you must register with each applicable local collector in addition to the state.

   Official government source

   No registration fee is published by the Louisiana Department of Revenue.·Not published by the Louisiana Department of Revenue; the '1-5 business days' figure has no official source.

   No registration fee is published by the Louisiana Department of Revenue.

   Not published by the Louisiana Department of Revenue; the '1-5 business days' figure has no official source.

2. Louisiana Department of Health — Certified Food Protection Manager Requirement

   Louisiana cottage food producers operating inside the exemption in La. R.S. 40:4.9 are not permitted as retail food establishments and are not required to hold the state Food Safety Manager Certificate. Once you exceed the exemption you need an LDH retail food permit, and the Food Safety Certification program run by LDH's Retail Food Program (Bureau of Sanitarian Services) applies. Completing an LDH-approved eight-hour Food Safety Manager course and ANSI-accredited exam is good practice for any cottage food operation.

   Official government source

   Course and exam fees are set by the private LDH-approved provider and vary; LDH charges a separate fee for the state certificate. The $80–$150 figure is unverified — confirm with the provider and LDH.·The LDH-approved course is eight hours; LDH does not publish an issuance time for the state certificate.

   Course and exam fees are set by the private LDH-approved provider and vary; LDH charges a separate fee for the state certificate. The $80–$150 figure is unverified — confirm with the provider and LDH.

   The LDH-approved course is eight hours; LDH does not publish an issuance time for the state certificate.

1. Louisiana Cottage Food Law

   Louisiana allows home production of certain non-potentially-hazardous foods (baked goods, candy, jams, and similar) for direct sale to consumers under the cottage food exemption in La. R.S. 40:4.9, without an LDH food establishment permit. The exemption is capped by an annual gross-sales limit and carries labeling requirements, including a statement that the food was not produced in a licensed facility. The cap could not be verified against the current statute text in this review — the $20,000 figure may be out of date — so confirm the current limit with LDH's Retail Food Program before relying on a number.

   Official government source

   No LDH permit fee applies while you stay inside the cottage food exemption. If you exceed it you need a retail food establishment permit — $150 for a first permit under LDH's Retail Food Permit Fee Schedule, plus a $100 standard (or $1,000 expedited) plans-review fee for new or substantially renovated facilities as of July 1, 2025.·No LDH application or waiting period applies within the exemption; if a permit becomes required, plans review is 10 business days standard or 5 business days expedited.

   No LDH permit fee applies while you stay inside the cottage food exemption. If you exceed it you need a retail food establishment permit — $150 for a first permit under LDH's Retail Food Permit Fee Schedule, plus a $100 standard (or $1,000 expedited) plans-review fee for new or substantially renovated facilities as of July 1, 2025.

   No LDH application or waiting period applies within the exemption; if a permit becomes required, plans review is 10 business days standard or 5 business days expedited.

2. City of Baton Rouge / Parish of East Baton Rouge Department of Finance — Business License

   All businesses in East Baton Rouge Parish must obtain an Occupational License from the Finance Department's Revenue Collection Division (225-389-3084), renewed annually and posted at the place of business. Some businesses additionally need approval from Permits & Inspections and/or the health authority, and a zoning clearance or Certificate of Occupancy carries a separate fee. Certain categories are exempt by ordinance (for example manufacturers except on retail sales, and several enumerated professions).

   Official government source

   A one-time registration fee of $50 if the business opens January 1–June 30 or $25 if it opens July 1–December 31. The annual tax is computed from gross receipts using the classification tables in the Occupational License Tax Ordinance and can exceed $500 for larger businesses — it is not a $50–$500 band.·Apply at least one month before opening. A temporary certificate is mailed after processing; after 30 days of operation you report gross receipts and the permanent license issues. Renewals are due January 1 and delinquent after March 1 (5% penalty per 30 days to a 25% maximum, plus 15% annual interest).

   A one-time registration fee of $50 if the business opens January 1–June 30 or $25 if it opens July 1–December 31. The annual tax is computed from gross receipts using the classification tables in the Occupational License Tax Ordinance and can exceed $500 for larger businesses — it is not a $50–$500 band.

   Apply at least one month before opening. A temporary certificate is mailed after processing; after 30 days of operation you report gross receipts and the permanent license issues. Renewals are due January 1 and delinquent after March 1 (5% penalty per 30 days to a 25% maximum, plus 15% annual interest).

Official Sources

• Louisiana Cottage Food Law
• City of Baton Rouge / Parish of East Baton Rouge Department of Finance

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