Home Bakery Permit Requirements in Gulfport, MS

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. Mississippi Department of Revenue - Sales Tax Permit

   Any business selling tangible personal property or a taxable service in Mississippi must hold a sales tax permit from the Department of Revenue. The general state rate is 7%, one of the highest in the country; reduced rates apply to some categories, including 5% on SNAP-eligible groceries and light vehicles, 3% on heavy trucks and manufactured homes, and 1.5% on farm and manufacturing machinery. Register online through TAP.

   Official government source

   No fee - the Mississippi Department of Revenue does not charge for a sales tax permit.·Register online through TAP; allow about two weeks to receive your permit and filing information by mail.

   No fee - the Mississippi Department of Revenue does not charge for a sales tax permit.

   Register online through TAP; allow about two weeks to receive your permit and filing information by mail.

2. Food Safety Manager Certification (optional for cottage food operators)

   Mississippi cottage food operations require no MSDH permit and are not routinely inspected, so the certified food protection manager requirement that applies to permitted retail food establishments does not apply to them. Certification from an ANSI-accredited program (e.g. ServSafe) remains a recommended food-safety practice and is required if you later open a permitted food establishment such as a catering commissary.

   Official government source

   Set by the private certification provider, not MSDH; typical exam-and-course pricing is roughly $80-$150 — confirm with the ANSI-accredited provider you choose.·Set by the certification provider; not an MSDH process.

   Set by the private certification provider, not MSDH; typical exam-and-course pricing is roughly $80-$150 — confirm with the ANSI-accredited provider you choose.

   Set by the certification provider; not an MSDH process.

1. Mississippi Cottage Food Law

   Mississippi allows home food production under its Cottage Food Law (Miss. Code Ann. § 75-29-951). Non-potentially-hazardous foods (e.g., baked goods without dairy/meat fillings, candy, dried goods, jams/jellies, nut mixes) can be sold directly producer-to-consumer, in-state only. Annual gross sales are capped at $35,000. No MSDH permit, registration, or routine inspection applies — MSDH only inspects on a complaint. Products must be labeled per MSDH's required disclosure. Check with your city or county for any separate local business license requirement.

   Official government source

   Not applicable — no MSDH registration or permit fee exists for Cottage Food operations·Not applicable

   Not applicable — no MSDH registration or permit fee exists for Cottage Food operations

   Not applicable

2. City of Gulfport Privilege License (Business License)

   Gulfport requires a Privilege License for businesses operating within city limits. It is issued by Urban Development / Building Code Services, not the City Clerk, and the Planning Division signs off on the Certificate of Zoning Compliance that forms part of the application. The fee is computed from business type plus number of full-time employees (service businesses) or inventory value (sales businesses) — not gross revenues. The license is renewed annually and displayed at the place of business.

   Official government source

   Not a flat published rate: the Privilege License application computes the amount due from the business type together with the number of full-time employees (service businesses) or the value of inventory (sales businesses). Confirm the exact amount with Building Code Services (228-868-5700).·Not published by the City; note that staff approval of the application expires after 60 days if the license is not issued. Confirm current turnaround with Building Code Services.

   Not a flat published rate: the Privilege License application computes the amount due from the business type together with the number of full-time employees (service businesses) or the value of inventory (sales businesses). Confirm the exact amount with Building Code Services (228-868-5700).

   Not published by the City; note that staff approval of the application expires after 60 days if the license is not issued. Confirm current turnaround with Building Code Services.

Official Sources

• Mississippi Cottage Food Law
• City of Gulfport City Clerk

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