Because Guam has no cottage food exemption, the path to legally selling home-made food requires more steps than most US jurisdictions — but it is straightforward once you know exactly what each agency needs from you.
Guam does not have a cottage food exemption. Every home food seller must obtain a Home Industry business license from the Department of Revenue and Taxation (DRT) and a DPHSS Sanitary Permit from the Division of Environmental Health (DEH) — plus a personal Health Certificate from DPHSS. If you sell at events or markets, a Temporary Food Service Establishment (TFSE) Sanitary Permit is required separately for each event.
The good news: the Business License and Permit Center at 542 N. Marine Corps Drive, Tamuning, consolidates most of these agencies in one location. You can start multiple applications in a single visit.
Before applying for any permit, assess your home kitchen against Guam Food Code standards. The DEH inspection is the highest bar in the process — your kitchen must meet retail food establishment sanitation standards. Common requirements include: adequate handwashing sink separate from food prep sinks, pest-proof storage, cleanable surfaces, and proper refrigeration capacity.
Visit a healthcare provider for a physical examination and TB screening. Bring the completed DPHSS health certificate application form. This must be done before or concurrent with your Sanitary Permit application — DEH may require proof of your Health Certificate as part of the permit process.
All family members who will assist in food production should obtain their own Health Certificates at the same time. [VERIFY this requirement with DPHSS.]
Visit the DEH Plans and Specifications Section at the Business License and Permit Center, 542 N. Marine Corps Drive, Tamuning — Monday, Wednesday, or Friday, 8am–noon or 1–5pm. Submit your application, floor plan sketch of your kitchen, equipment list, and any required documentation.
DEH will schedule an inspection of your home kitchen. During the inspection, have your kitchen fully operational and demonstrate that it meets the standards discussed in Step 1. The Sanitary Permit is issued once your kitchen passes inspection.
With your DPHSS Sanitary Permit in hand, visit the Business License Branch at the Department of Revenue and Taxation — also at the Business License and Permit Center. Select the Home Industry license category (manufacturing items from raw materials at home). You will need to provide documentation of your DPHSS clearance as part of the application.
Additional clearances from the Department of Land Management, Guam Fire Department, and Department of Public Works may be required — confirm with DRT which clearances apply to a home kitchen food operation. All agencies are co-located at the Business License and Permit Center, making this more manageable than it sounds.
Complete an ANSI-ANAB accredited food manager certification course and pass the exam — ServSafe Food Manager is the most widely recognized. This certification is valid for 5 years and documents your knowledge of food safety principles, temperature management, contamination prevention, and the Guam Food Code. [VERIFY with DEH which certifications are accepted and whether this is required for solo Home Industry operators.]
Register your business for GRT filing with the Department of Revenue and Taxation. File quarterly using Form GRT-1 (or the appropriate form for your business type) — due between the 1st and 20th of the month following each quarter. Track all sales revenue from day one so your first filing is accurate.
Every time you sell food at a market, fair, fiesta, or other event, apply for a Temporary Food Service Establishment Sanitary Permit from DEH in advance of the event. Apply as early as possible — DEH recommends applying immediately once an event date is confirmed. Bring your TFSE permit, your Home Industry license, and your Sanitary Permit to every event where you sell.
The DPHSS/DEH inspection of your home kitchen is the highest bar in the Guam licensing process — and the most important step to prepare for carefully. Unlike cottage food states where home kitchens are exempt from inspection, Guam requires your kitchen to meet retail food establishment sanitation standards. Here's what inspectors typically assess:
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