Home Bakery (Cottage Food) Permit Requirements in New York City, NY

Complete permit and license guide for starting a home bakery (cottage food) in New York City, New York City (all boroughs) County, New York.

Updated 2026-03-13 4 stops $0–$880 est. 2–12 weeks (varies by licensing path)
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Not legal advice. Requirements may change — always verify with your local government authority before applying. This guide was compiled from public and official sources (last updated ) and has not yet been independently source-verified — confirm each requirement before acting on it.

Federal — start here

1 stop

  1. EIN (Employer Identification Number)

    Required if you operate as an LLC, corporation, or partnership, or if you have employees. Sole proprietors with no employees may use their Social Security Number instead. Apply free online through the IRS.

    Official government source

    FreeImmediate

State of New York

2 stops

  1. NYS Home Processor Exemption Registration (NY Dept. of Agriculture & Markets)

    New York State allows home processors to produce and sell certain non-potentially-hazardous foods — including breads, rolls, biscuits, bagels, muffins, cookies, cakes (without cream or custard fillings), double-crust fruit pies, and jams/jellies — without a full commercial license, provided annual gross sales do not exceed $50,000 and all sales are made directly, face-to-face, to consumers. Registration with the NYS Department of Agriculture and Markets is required and must be renewed every two years. Note: NYC operators must also determine whether additional city licensing applies based on their specific sales channels.

    Official government source

    Free2–4 weeks

  2. NYS Article 20-C Food Processing Establishment License (if above exemption)

    If your annual sales exceed $50,000, or if you sell packaged foods through retail stores or restaurants (indirect sales), you must obtain a Food Processing Establishment License from the NYS Department of Agriculture and Markets under Article 20-C. This requires a commercial-grade kitchen inspection and full compliance with NYS food manufacturing regulations.

    Official government source

    $200–$600 depending on operation size6–12 weeks

City of New York City / New York City (all boroughs) County

1 stop

  1. NYC DOHMH Food Processing Establishment License (if exceeding exemption)

    New York City home bakeries that exceed the NYS Home Processor Exemption thresholds — or sell through third-party channels beyond direct face-to-face sales — must obtain a Food Processing Establishment License from the NYC Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DOHMH). The license is required for operations producing and selling packaged ready-to-eat foods commercially within NYC's five boroughs. DOHMH regulates all food establishment licensing within the city.

    Official government source

    $280 per year (plus $25 if making frozen desserts)4–8 weeks

Terminus

Open for business — est. $0–$880 · 2–12 weeks (varies by licensing path)

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Official Sources

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