A direct answer to what you need, step-by-step instructions for the Class H Homestead License, local permit guidance, and every agency contact you'll need.
Neither tier requires a food handler certification, a state business license, or a sales tax permit. New Hampshire has no state sales tax and no general state business license requirement. The homestead license — if you need it — is issued solely by DHHS Food Protection.
Every permit and registration relevant to New Hampshire homestead food sellers — what's required, what it costs, and where to apply.
| Permit / Registration | Required? | Issuing Agency | Fee | Renewal | Where to Apply |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Class H Homestead License (online, mail order, wholesale, events) |
If expanding | NH DHHS — Food Protection Section | $150/year | Annual | Application PDF → |
| Food Handler Certification | Not required | N/A — recommended only | Varies (~$15–30) | Varies | ServSafe, ANAB-accredited providers |
| State Business License | Not required | N/A — NH has no general state business license | — | — | — |
| Sales Tax Permit | Not required | N/A — NH has no state sales tax | — | — | — |
| DBA / Trade Name Registration (if operating under a business name) |
If using DBA | NH Secretary of State | $50 | 5 years | NH QuickStart → |
| Local / Municipal Permit (self-inspecting cities & towns only) |
Check locally | Local health authority | Varies by town | Varies | Contact your town or city clerk |
| Process Review (for acidified foods, custom jams, etc.) |
Product-specific | Licensed food processing authority | Varies by authority | Per product | Contact DHHS for current list of reviewers |
| Beverage License (kombucha, cold brew, juices) |
Required | NH DHHS — Food Protection Section | Contact DHHS | Annual | Beverage Licensing → |
| Water Test (private well only) | If on well water + applying for license | Certified lab — submit results with license application | ~$50–100 | Per application | Contact NH DHHS for approved labs |
Follow these steps in order. Submit your application at least 30 days before your planned start of operation.
Before applying, verify that all products you plan to sell are non-TCS (shelf-stable) foods allowed under RSA 143-A:12. If any products require a process review — custom jams, acidified salsas, moist sweet breads — obtain those reviews first. The license application requires a complete product list.
If you live in one of the 15 self-inspecting cities and towns (Bedford, Berlin, Claremont, Concord, Derry, Dover, Exeter, Keene, Manchester, Merrimack, Nashua, Plaistow, Portsmouth, Rochester, or Salem), you must contact your local health authority — not DHHS — to determine whether homestead operations are permitted and what local requirements apply.
Download Self-Inspecting Municipality List (PDF) →If your home uses a private well rather than a municipal water system, you must include written results of a water test for bacteria, nitrates, and nitrites with your application. Use a certified lab. Contact DHHS for a list of approved testing laboratories in New Hampshire.
The application requires a complete list of every product you plan to manufacture and sell, plus a sample label for each product. Your labels must include all required elements — seller name, address, phone number, product name, ingredients, allergens, batch code, and the licensed disclaimer statement. See the Label Requirements page for the exact wording.
Download the Class H Homestead License application from DHHS. Complete all sections clearly and legibly — incomplete applications will be returned. Mail the completed form to: Bureau of Finance/Receipts Unit — Food Protection, 129 Pleasant St, Concord, NH 03301. Include your $150 check payable to "Treasurer, State of New Hampshire."
Download the Homestead License Application (PDF) →After processing, DHHS will send an email with your inspector's contact information. The inspector may review your application, labels, and kitchen setup. Be ready to answer questions about your production process, storage, and labeling. The review process confirms your operation meets the sanitary and labeling standards in He-P 2300.
Once approved, you'll receive your Class H Homestead License. Your license must be renewed annually — contact DHHS Food Protection at [email protected] to receive a renewal invoice. For renewals after DHHS launched their new portal, you can also activate an online account by emailing [email protected] with your establishment name and facility number.
Payable by check to "Treasurer, State of New Hampshire." Payments are non-refundable. Must be submitted with your completed application.
Application PDF →Submit at least 30 days before your planned start date. DHHS will contact you after processing — processing time is not specified but plan for 2–4 weeks.
Bureau of Finance/Receipts Unit
Food Protection
129 Pleasant St
Concord, NH 03301
DHHS now has an online portal for license renewals and inspection reports. To activate your account, email [email protected] with your establishment name and facility number (begins with "FA" on your license).
If you operate as an unlicensed homestead food operation — selling only at farmers markets, from home, at your own farm stand, and to retail stores — no home inspection is required. DHHS may inspect if they have reason to suspect an imminent health hazard, but routine inspections do not apply to unlicensed operators.
You are responsible for maintaining a clean, sanitary kitchen that meets the basic requirements: proper sink setup, refrigerator with thermometer, no pets during production. These standards apply whether or not an inspector visits.
When you apply for a Class H Homestead License, DHHS will send you your inspector's contact information after processing. The inspector conducts a review of your application, labels, and production setup. This may involve a visit to your home kitchen to verify it meets the standards in He-P 2300 (the NH Sanitary Production and Distribution of Food rules).
Key items inspectors look for: proper sink setup (2-compartment or dishwasher + 1-compartment); refrigerator with thermometer at 41°F or below; no pets during production; adequate storage (no outbuildings); and proper labeling on sample products.
Unlike Pennsylvania's LFE program — which requires a full regulatory home inspection before registration — New Hampshire's Class H review is focused on confirming your operation meets the standards, not on passing an intensive facility audit. The process is collaborative.
New Hampshire has 15 cities and towns that regulate food businesses locally rather than through state DHHS. These are called "self-inspecting" jurisdictions. If you live in one of these communities, the local health authority — not DHHS — issues your food license.
This matters for homestead food sellers in two important ways. First, some self-inspecting municipalities may not permit homestead food operations at all — their local ordinances may be more restrictive than state rules. Second, even if homestead operations are permitted, the local authority sets the rules and fees — not the DHHS application and fee schedule described above.
Before doing anything else, call or visit your town or city health department if you live in one of these 15 communities. Ask: "Are homestead food operations permitted here, and what local requirements apply?" Get the answer in writing if possible.
For a complete list of contact information for each self-inspecting community, download the DHHS self-inspecting list: Self-Inspecting Cities & Towns PDF →
Use SellFood's Permit Tracker to upload your license, set renewal reminders, and stay compliant year-round.
Upload your Class H Homestead License, track renewal dates, and get alerts before your annual renewal deadline — so you never accidentally lapse your license.
Create Free Account to Use This Tool →Whether you're starting unlicensed at your local farmers market or ready to go fully licensed and sell online — SellFood has a plan for every stage of your New Hampshire food business.
Create Your Free Store → View Label Requirements