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

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

Verified 2026-08-27 6 stops $10–$150 est. 1-2 weeks (mostly just completing food handler training)
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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)

    Free from the IRS — apply online and receive your EIN immediately upon approval; the IRS never charges for an EIN (avoid third-party sites that do). Federally required if you hire employees or operate as a corporation or partnership (including a multi-member LLC); a single-member LLC with no employees and no excise-tax liability may use the owner's SSN instead, though most banks ask for an EIN to open a business bank account.

    Official government source

    FreeImmediate (online)

State of Texas

4 stops

  1. Texas Cottage Food Operation (No Permit Required)

    Under Texas cottage food law, no state permit, license, or inspection is required for cottage food operations. Local governments cannot require fees, permits, or inspections solely for cottage food. You can sell baked goods, candy, jams, and other non-TCS foods directly to consumers.

    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. 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. Requires date-of-production labeling and safe-handling instructions.

    Official government source

    No fee published by DSHS as of Aug 2026; statute sets no fee - confirm in the DSHS Online Licensing Registry when registering1-2 weeks

  4. Texas Sales Tax Permit

    Required if selling taxable items. Most baked goods sold for immediate consumption are taxable; however, many cottage food items sold for off-premise consumption may be exempt. Consult the Texas Comptroller for specifics.

    Official government source

    FreeImmediate (online)

City of Houston / Harris County

1 stop

  1. City of Houston — No Business License for Cottage Food

    Houston has no general business license, and Texas cottage food law (Health & Safety Code ch. 437) prohibits local governments from requiring a permit or charging a fee for cottage food production operations. A home bakery operating under the cottage food law needs no City of Houston license or registration.

    Official government source

    None1-2 weeks

Terminus

Open for business — est. $10–$150 · 1-2 weeks (mostly just completing food handler training)

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