Home Bakery (Cottage Food) Permit Requirements in Austin, TX

Complete permit and license guide for starting a home bakery (cottage food) in Austin, Travis County, Texas.

Updated 2026-03-12 6 stops $10–$100 est. 1-2 days (mostly just completing food handler training and confirming zoning)
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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 operating as an LLC or if you have employees. Free from the IRS.

    Official government source

    FreeImmediate (online)

State of Texas

4 stops

  1. Texas Cottage Food Operation (No Permit Required)

    Under Texas Health and Safety Code §437 (as amended by SB 541, effective September 1, 2025), no state or local permit, license, inspection, or fee is required for cottage food operations selling non-TCS foods directly to consumers. You may sell baked goods, cakes, cookies, candy, jam, and similar non-potentially hazardous foods. Annual gross sales cap is $150,000.

    Official government source

    Free (no permit needed)N/A

  2. Texas Food Handler Card

    Required for all cottage food operators. Must complete a DSHS-accredited food handler training course and keep the certificate on file. Available online from multiple providers.

    Official government source

    $7-$152-4 hours online

  3. DSHS Registration (for TCS Foods only)

    If you sell time/temperature control for safety (TCS) foods — such as cheesecakes, cream pies, or custard-filled pastries — you must register with DSHS. Effective September 1, 2025. Registration is free and requires date-of-production labeling and safe-handling instructions on packaging.

    Official government source

    Free1-2 weeks

  4. Texas Sales Tax Permit

    Required if selling taxable items. Most baked goods sold for off-premise consumption may be exempt; goods sold for immediate consumption are taxable. Consult the Texas Comptroller for your specific situation.

    Official government source

    FreeImmediate (online)

City of Austin / Travis County

1 stop

  1. Austin Development Services — Home Occupation Compliance

    Austin's Land Development Code allows cottage food production operations as a home occupation. You do not need a permit, but your operation must comply with home occupation rules: no external signage, no employees on-site beyond household members, and no customer visits that disrupt neighborhood character. Verify your zoning allows home occupation via Austin's Zoning and Cases search tool.

    Official government source

    Free (no permit required for cottage food under Texas law)N/A — confirm zoning online before starting

Terminus

Open for business — est. $10–$100 · 1-2 days (mostly just completing food handler training and confirming zoning)

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Official Sources

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