Nevada Cottage Food Laws

Comprehensive Guide to Nevada Cottage Food Laws

This guide covers Nevada’s current cottage food laws—including sales limits, registration requirements, allowed and prohibited foods, labeling, venues for sales, and forthcoming changes under AB 352 (effective July 1, 2027). It is based solely on official Nevada health authority sources and is intended to help home-based food entrepreneurs understand and comply with the law.

Quick Facts

Overview / Introduction

Nevada’s cottage food law, originally enacted in 2013 via Senate Bill 206 and codified under NRS 446.866, allows a natural person to prepare certain non-potentially hazardous foods in a private home kitchen for direct sale to consumers. The law specifically excludes cottage food operations from being considered a “food establishment,” meaning they are not inspected as such by health authorities. (dpbh.nv.gov)

In the 2025 Legislative Session, Senate Bill 466 (SB 466) reorganized regulatory authority, transferring cottage food oversight to the Nevada Department of Agriculture (NDA) effective July 1, 2025, though daily cottage food operations remain under local health authorities until further update. (dpbh.nv.gov)

Looking ahead, Assembly Bill 352 (AB 352)—also passed in 2025 but not effective until July 1, 2027—will raise the gross sales limit, permit online and shipping sales, and centralize registration under NDA. (cottagecms.com)

Sales Limits

Under current law (NRS 446.866), gross sales may not exceed $35,000 per calendar year. “Gross sales” means total revenue before deducting ingredient costs. (southernnevadahealthdistrict.org)

Starting fiscal year 2026‑2027, SB 466 authorizes automatic CPI-adjusted increases to the sales limit, and the law defines the upper cap as $100,000 per calendar year after adjustment. The adjusted amount must be posted online by September 30 each year. (leg.state.nv.us)

Licensing & Registration

Nevada requires registration with the local health authority in each district where the cottage food operator lives or sells. For example:

• Southern Nevada Health District handles Clark County. (southernnevadahealthdistrict.org)
• Northern Nevada Public Health (Washoe, Reno, Sparks). (southernnevadahealthdistrict.org)
• The Division of Public and Behavioral Health (DPBH) handles rural counties (Elko, Esmeralda, Humboldt, etc.). (dpbh.nv.gov)

The law mandates that registration includes name, address, contact info, and business name if different, and allows the authority to charge a fee not to exceed cost to maintain the registry. (leg.state.nv.us)

Training Requirements

Nevada’s current cottage food law does not require formal training or food handler certification. While food safety guidance is recommended, no state-mandated training exists under cottage food regulation. (cottagecms.com)

Home Kitchen Inspection

Cottage food kitchens are not subject to routine inspection as they are not considered permitted food establishments. The authority may only inspect in cases of suspected contamination, adulteration, or foodborne illness investigations—and may invoice for investigation costs. (southernnevadahealthdistrict.org)

Allowed Foods

Per NRS 446.866, allowed cottage food items include:

• Nuts and nut mixes
• Candies (excluding cream-based chocolates like ganache or truffles) (southernnevadahealthdistrict.org)
• Jams, jellies, preserves (standardized recipes, no fruit butters or sugar-free varieties) (southernnevadahealthdistrict.org)
• Vinegar and flavored vinegar (must be strained/filtered; no solids or herbs) (southernnevadahealthdistrict.org)
• Dry herbs and seasoning mixes (medicinal herbs not allowed) (southernnevadahealthdistrict.org)
• Dried fruits (only low-acid fruits; melons not allowed) (southernnevadahealthdistrict.org)
• Cereals, trail mixes, granola (southernnevadahealthdistrict.org)
• Popcorn and popcorn balls (southernnevadahealthdistrict.org)
• Baked goods that are non-potentially hazardous, contain no cream, uncooked eggs, custard, meringue, or cream cheese frosting or garnishes, and require no time/temperature control for safety. Must be baked with dry heat—not fried or steamed. (southernnevadahealthdistrict.org)

Prohibited Foods

Foods that are not allowed under Nevada cottage food law include:

• Cream-based chocolates (ganache, truffles) (southernnevadahealthdistrict.org)
• Fruit butters, sugar-free or no-sugar jams or jellies (southernnevadahealthdistrict.org)
• Flavored vinegar with solids (herbs, fruit pieces, rinds) (southernnevadahealthdistrict.org)
• Medicinal herbs in seasoning mixes (southernnevadahealthdistrict.org)
• Dried foods from high-risk fruits (like melons) (southernnevadahealthdistrict.org)
• Baked goods with cream, custard, uncooked eggs, meringue, cream cheese frosting, or low-sugar fillings; soft cheeses or sizeable fruit/vegetable toppings; acidified vegetables; fried or steamed products. (southernnevadahealthdistrict.org)
• Home canned goods, pickles, sauces, salsas, apple cider, dehydrated meats, jerky, apple butters, pumpkin butters. (nnph.org)

Labeling Requirements

Nevada law requires cottage food products to be prepackaged at home and labeled according to federal labeling rules (21 U.S.C. § 343(w), 9 C.F.R. Part 317, 21 C.F.R. Part 101). (southernnevadahealthdistrict.org) Labels must prominently display:

• “MADE IN A COTTAGE FOOD OPERATION THAT IS NOT SUBJECT TO GOVERNMENT FOOD SAFETY INSPECTION” (southernnevadahealthdistrict.org)
• Home’s street address, city, state, and ZIP code (street may be omitted if listed in directory) (southernnevadahealthdistrict.org)
• Additional label elements per federal requirements: product name, ingredient list, net weight, allergen info, business name/contact info. (Exact font size not specified in Nevada sources.)

Where You Can Sell

Sales venues allowed under current law include in-person, direct-to-consumer transactions at:

• The operator’s home
• Farmers markets, flea markets, swap meets, church bazaars, garage sales, craft fairs (southernnevadahealthdistrict.org)

Not allowed: telephone or internet orders, shipping products, third-party delivery, sales to wholesalers, consignment, retail stores, or restaurants. Advertising via website or social media is allowed, but sales must be in person. (southernnevadahealthdistrict.org)

Sales Tax

Nevada law does not specify sales tax for cottage foods in the official health regulations. Operators should check with the Nevada Department of Taxation regarding sales tax requirements, as local business license jurisdictions may require tax collection and remittance. This is outside the scope of cottage food law. (No details provided in approved sources.)

Special Exemptions

The craft food law (e.g., for acidified and pickled foods) is separate and governed by the Nevada Department of Agriculture, not under the cottage food program. Cottage operators wishing to make pickled or acidified products must apply under the craft food law. (southernnevadahealthdistrict.org)

Under SB 466, local governments cannot prohibit cottage food operations by zoning or ordinances, ensuring the right to operate regardless of local restrictions. (leg.state.nv.us)

Getting Started

1. Identify your health district (home and sale locations).
2. Contact or access your district’s registration application:
   • Southern NV Health District (Clark County): email application to regsupport@snhd.org, await approval and invoice per process. (southernnevadahealthdistrict.org)
   • Northern NV Public Health (Washoe): apply online via onenv.us, receive approval letter. (nnph.org)
   • Rural counties via Central Nevada Health District or DPBH. Submit application, labels, as per district process. (centralnevadahd.org)
3. Submit required info (name, address, contact, business name if applicable), pay the registration fee per district. Most rural counties are free; Clark County may charge $100–150. (cottagecms.com)
4. Prepare prepackaged products with compliant labels. Include required statements and federal label elements. (southernnevadahealthdistrict.org)
5. Begin selling only in person at approved venues. Keep annual gross sales under $35,000 until changes effective 2027. (nnph.org)
6. Re-register or update if you move, expand product categories, or sell in new districts; the health district may require new registration. (southernnevadahealthdistrict.org)
7. Monitor developments: AB 352 reforms effective July 1, 2027 will centralize and streamline registration under NDA, raise the sales cap, and authorize online, delivery, and shipping sales. (cottagecms.com)

Official Resources

• Southern Nevada Health District (SNHD) – Clark County registration and FAQs. (southernnevadahealthdistrict.org)
• Northern Nevada Public Health (NNPH) – Washoe County registration details via onenv.us. (nnph.org)
• Central Nevada Health District (CNHD) – rural county registration forms and process. (centralnevadahd.org)
• DPBH Cottage Food Registration – guidance, allowed foods list, and link to forms. (dpbh.nv.gov)
• Nevada Legislature Statutes (SB 466, NRS 446.866) – legal text on registration, labeling, and sales limits including CPI adjustments. (leg.state.nv.us)

Official Sources

This guide was compiled from the following official sources:

• dpbh.nv.gov
• www.southernnevadahealthdistrict.org
• www.southernnevadahealthdistrict.org
• www.nnph.org
• www.centralnevadahd.org
• cottagecms.com
• standscout.com
• www.leg.state.nv.us

Important Notes

⚠️ Expected changes under AB 352 take effect July 1, 2027—current law remains until then.

⚠️ Sales cap may adjust annually via CPI—verify current limit each year.

⚠️ Registration fees vary by district—confirm with local authority.