Virginia · Home Food Processing Exemption
Part of our walk-through for all 50 US states — see every state.
Answer a few plain-English questions about what you make and how you want to sell it. We check it against Virginia's home food processing exemption — including the July 2026 changes that allow online, phone, and delivery sales — flag anything that isn't allowed, and build you a personalized checklist and a printable food label. One place, no legal jargon.
Built from the public Virginia Code and VDACS guidance. Not legal advice and not state approval — rules can change, so verify final requirements with VDACS before selling.
Often yes — Virginia's home food processing exemption needs no permit, registration, inspection, or fee for shelf-stable foods, acidified vegetables (pH 4.6 or lower), and honey from your own hives. As of July 1, 2026 (HB402), you can also sell online, by phone, and deliver by mail or courier — not just in person. Meat, dairy, and other refrigerated foods still fall outside it. The wizard below checks the choices that commonly change the answer.
Virginia rule review
The page is built from VDACS — Home & Commercial Kitchen-Based Businesses and the cited official sources below, then turns those rules into a practical pre-sale review.
Final wording should be checked against Virginia Code § 3.2-5130 before printing.
Usually blocks the cottage food path
The home food processing exemption only covers a resident's own private home kitchen. Using a shared or commercial kitchen means you'd need a full retail food establishment license instead.
Usually blocks the cottage food path
The exemption only covers direct sale to an individual for their own consumption — not sale to a business that will resell or serve it.
Usually blocks the cottage food path
The exemption only covers sale to individuals in Virginia. Shipping or selling to someone outside the state isn't covered by this exemption.
Needs extra review
Honey is allowed under its own cap, but its required label wording is different — it needs an infant-safety warning in addition to the standard disclosure.
Usually blocks the cottage food path
Potentially-hazardous foods that need refrigeration to stay safe — including dairy — aren't covered by this exemption.
Usually blocks the cottage food path
Meat and poultry products aren't covered by the home food processing exemption.
Virginia permit prep
Use this order when you prepare the permit packet, label, and direct-sales plan.
Step 1
Start with the product category and shelf-stability questions. The wizard flags foods that usually need refrigeration, separate licensing, or extra official review in Virginia.
Step 2
Choose every sales channel you expect to use. The result calls out direct-sale limits, shipping issues, wholesale/resale limits, and other channel rules that matter before you take orders.
Step 3
Enter the product name, ingredients, allergens, net weight, producer information, and any Virginia-specific disclosure or permit field requested by the form.
Step 4
A plain-English helper for Virginia home food processors selling under the state's home food processing exemption. Not legal advice and not state approval.
Virginia FAQ
Short answers to the questions people usually ask before they start the wizard.
Often yes — Virginia's home food processing exemption needs no permit, registration, inspection, or fee for shelf-stable foods, acidified vegetables (pH 4.6 or lower), and honey from your own hives. As of July 1, 2026 (HB402), you can also sell online, by phone, and deliver by mail or courier — not just in person. Meat, dairy, and other refrigerated foods still fall outside it. The wizard below checks the choices that commonly change the answer.
It walks through the state-specific blockers, then produces a printable checklist and a label draft using the answers you entered.
Verify your product category, sales channel, annual limit or registration requirement, and label wording against VDACS — Home & Commercial Kitchen-Based Businesses before relying on the checklist.
No. It is an informational draft based on the page sources. Check final wording with Virginia Code § 3.2-5130 or the responsible local agency before printing labels.