Arizona Cottage Food Laws

Arizona Cottage Food Law: A Complete Guide (2026)

An in-depth guide to Arizona’s cottage food law as established by HB 2042, covering definitions, registration, labeling, allowed foods, sale and delivery rules, and practical steps for compliance.

Quick Facts

1. Overview / Introduction

Arizona’s cottage food law was significantly updated by House Bill 2042, passed and approved by the Governor on March 29, 2024, and became effective on the general effective date thereafter. This law establishes a clear statutory framework (A.R.S. §§ 36‑136 and 36‑931 – 36‑933) for home-based food entrepreneurs, expanding the types of foods permitted and setting detailed requirements for registration, labeling, sale, and delivery of cottage food products. According to the Arizona Department of Health Services, cottage food products are defined and regulated under this law, with formal rules implemented accordingly. (azleg.gov)

2. Sales Limits & Revenue Caps

Arizona law does not impose any annual revenue caps or sales limits on cottage food producers; it simply allows sales "to the maximum extent allowed by federal law," except where restricted by state law. (azleg.gov)

3. Licensing & Registration

Producers must:

• Complete a food handler training course from an accredited program and maintain active certification.
• Register with the online registry established by ADHS and renew every three years, updating any changes within 30 days.
• Display the certificate of registration when operating as a temporary food establishment. (azleg.gov)

4. Training Requirements

The producer or person supervising food preparation must complete and maintain active food handler certification, from an accredited program. Recertification requirements will be provided by ADHS administrative rules, including potential suspension or revocation for noncompliance. (azleg.gov)

5. Home Kitchen Inspection

Cottage food products are not subject to public health inspection, provided they comply with statute and labeling rules. Consumers are warned via label disclaimers that production occurs in home kitchens. ADHS rules ensure enforcement and oversight but exempt cottage food products from inspection. (azleg.gov)

6. Allowed Foods

Under HB 2042, a cottage food product includes both:

• Foods that are not potentially hazardous or do not require time or temperature control, and
• Foods that are potentially hazardous or require time/temperature control, but only “to the maximum extent allowed by federal law.” Specific allowed items include:
• Non-hazardous items like jams, jelly, dry mixes, honey, dry pasta, roasted nuts, etc.
• Potentially hazardous items only if they comply with federal exemptions, e.g., poultry or meat from inspected sources or under the 1,000-bird exemption. (azleg.gov)

7. Prohibited Foods

The following are excluded from the cottage food definition, unless allowed by federal law per exemptions:

• Alcoholic beverages or foods containing alcohol, unpasteurized milk, fish and shellfish, meat or poultry products (except as allowed via federal exceptions).
• Beverages generally, acidified foods, salsas, sauces, fermented or pickled foods, nut butters, or reduced-oxygen packaged products.
• Products containing marijuana or marijuana by-products.
• Cottage food products may not be used as ingredients in food sold at permitted retail establishments. (azleg.gov)

8. Labeling Requirements

Labels—attenched or online—must be in a clear and legible printed or handwritten font, and include:

1. Name and registration number of the preparer.
2. List of all ingredients and the production date.
3. The exact statement: “This product was produced in a home kitchen that may come in contact with common food allergens and pet allergens and is not subject to public health inspection.”
4. If produced in a facility for individuals with developmental disabilities, disclose that fact.
5. A webpage address provided by ADHS that includes:
   • Contact information for reporting foodborne illness;
   • Information on verifying active registration status;
   • Contact-info for reporting registration issues. For online sales, the same information must be prominently provided in the product listing. (azleg.gov)

9. Where You Can Sell (Sales Venues & Delivery)

Sale and delivery rules vary by product type:

• Non-dairy, non‑meat/poultry cottage food products may be sold by the preparer or an agent (incl. third-party vendor) and delivered by the preparer, agent, third-party vendor, or carrier.
• Dairy or meat/poultry products must be sold by the preparer either in person or remotely (e.g., online), excluding third-party delivery platforms, and delivered in person.
• Potentially hazardous products requiring time/temperature control must be transported only once, for no longer than two hours, and maintained at appropriate temperature.
• If sold by a third‑party vendor (e.g., store), they must be displayed in a separate section or display case from non-homemade items, with signage that items are homemade and exempt from licensing and inspection. (azleg.gov)

10. Sales Tax

The provided sources do not address state or local sales tax requirements for cottage food products. Prospective producers should verify tax obligations via Arizona Department of Revenue or local authorities.

11. Special Exemptions

Arizona law includes exemptions for home-prepared foods under § 36‑136 I (4): non-commercial events, cooking schools in owner-occupied homes, whole fruits/vegetables for immediate consumption, and cottage food products as statutorily defined. These exemptions are codified rather than operational details. (azleg.gov)

12. Getting Started (Practical Steps)

1. Review definitions and your food’s eligibility under A.R.S. §§ 36‑931–933.
2. Complete food handler training from an accredited program.
3. Register online with ADHS and pay any applicable fees (not specified in sources).
4. Design labels per law: font, content, disclaimer, ADHS webpage.
5. Prepare in your home kitchen (≤ 1,000 sq ft) or approved facility.
6. Choose appropriate sales/delivery method depending on product type and comply with temperature/time rules.
7. Renew your registration every three years and update changes within 30 days.
8. Display your registration certificate at temporary events; use separate display sections if through third-party vendors.
9. Keep records and verify your compliance regularly.

13. Official Resources

• Arizona Revised Statutes: A.R.S. §§ 36‑136; 36‑931–933 (HB 2042 text) – see the full law.
• ADHS Cottage Food Program pages (general, FAQs, approved foods) – for program guidance and updates.
• ADHS online registry portal for cottage food registration.

Official Sources

This guide was compiled from the following official sources:

• www.azleg.gov
• www.azleg.gov
• www.azleg.gov
• www.azleg.gov
• www.azleg.gov
• www.azdhs.gov

Important Notes

⚠️ Sales tax obligations are not addressed in the sources – consult Department of Revenue.

⚠️ Fee amounts for registration or training are not specified – verify current fees with ADHS.

⚠️ Understanding whether your product qualifies as “potentially hazardous” may require consulting FDA food code or ADHS rules.