Home Bakery Permit Requirements in Silver Spring, MD

Complete permit and license guide for starting a home bakery in Silver Spring, Montgomery County, Maryland.

Verified 2026-09-02 5 stops $100–$400 est. 1–3 weeks
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Not legal advice. Requirements may change — always verify with your local government authority before applying. Key agencies and fees on this page were re-checked against official government sources on .

Federal — start here

1 stop

  1. EIN (Employer Identification Number)

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

    Official government source

    FreeImmediate (online application)

State of Maryland

2 stops

  1. Maryland Comptroller — Sales Tax Registration

    Required for all businesses selling taxable goods or services in Maryland (6% state rate; Maryland has no local sales taxes). Retail product sales are taxable. Some services are also taxable — notably cleaning of a COMMERCIAL or industrial building (janitorial/commercial cleaning) under Md. Tax-General §11-101(m): commercial cleaning businesses must collect 6% on the service itself, while residential cleaning is not taxable. Sales of photographs (portrait/wedding) are taxable as tangible personal property. Registration with the Comptroller of Maryland is free.

    Official government source

    FreeImmediate (online via bFile)

  2. Maryland Department of Health — Food Service Manager Certification

    While cottage food producers may be exempt from food manager certification, it is strongly recommended for food safety best practices.

    Official government source

    $80–$150 (exam and course)1–2 days

City of Silver Spring / Montgomery County

2 stops

  1. Maryland Cottage Food Law

    Maryland allows home bakery operations under its Cottage Food Law (Md. Code, Health-General 21-330.1). A cottage food business owner who complies with the section is not required to be licensed by the Maryland Department of Health. Annual gross sales are capped at $50,000 (raised from $25,000 by HB 178, Chapter 406 of 2022, effective October 1, 2022). Products must be prepackaged at the residence and labeled with the business name and address (or name, phone, and an MDH-assigned identification number), product name, ingredients in descending order of weight, net quantity, federal allergen information, and the statement "Made by a cottage food business that is not subject to Maryland's food safety regulations" in at least 10-point type of a contrasting color. Selling through a retail food store additionally requires submitting proof of an MDH-approved food safety course and the label to the Department. Owners must still comply with Montgomery County and municipal law — confirm local rules with Montgomery County DHHS Licensure & Regulatory Services.

    Official government source

    $0 — Maryland charges no license or registration fee for a cottage food business; an MDH-approved food safety course (private provider cost) is required only to sell through retail food storesNo state approval or waiting period — you may begin once labeling and local requirements are met

  2. Montgomery County — No General Business License (activity-specific licenses only)

    Silver Spring is an unincorporated community in Montgomery County, so all local permits come from the county. Neither Maryland nor Montgomery County requires a general business license. Only specific activities are licensed by the Clerk of the Circuit Court License Department — e.g., retail sales require a Trader's License; garages, vending machines, and construction have their own licenses. Most service businesses need no county business license; confirm any activity-specific license with the Clerk's License Department (licenses expire April 30 annually).

    Official government source

    $0 for most businesses; Trader's License (retail only) fee varies by inventory valueNot applicable for most businesses; Trader's License typically issued within days

Terminus

Open for business — est. $100–$400 · 1–3 weeks

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