The permit picture in Utah depends entirely on which path you choose. The Cottage Food Program comes with real paperwork — application, inspection, recipe approval, food handler permit. HB 181 has none of that at the state level. This page walks you through both, with fees, agencies, and step-by-step instructions.
$50 application fee, annual renewal expiring December 31, plus a food handler's permit, recipe approval, and a home kitchen inspection. You cannot legally sell under this path without all four.
No UDAF registration, no inspection, no food handler permit at the state level. You only need a city or county business license — same as anyone else operating a small business in Utah.
Both paths require a local business license from your city or county, and both may require a sales tax permit from the Utah State Tax Commission depending on what you sell. The full table below covers everything.
If you've decided the Cottage Food Program is the right path for your business — for the wider channel access and ability to sell to retail stores — here's the full sequence from zero to legally selling.
Take an online food handler course (statefoodsafety.com is the most common provider) or an in-person class through your local health department. Cost runs $20–$30, takes a few hours, and the permit is good for three years. You'll need this in hand before UDAF will process your application.
Get your city or county business license (and DBA filing if you're using a name other than your legal name — see the Start Your Business page). UDAF will ask for proof of business registration during your application.
Every product you plan to sell needs a written recipe with ingredients (preferably by weight), exact amounts, and step-by-step preparation instructions including cooking times and temperatures. UDAF provides a recipe template you can use, or you can submit in your own format.
Send the completed Cottage Food application packet plus all recipes to UDAF. Application packets are available on the UDAF Cottage Food page. Plan for 7+ days of processing time — call the Cottage Food Specialist at 801-538-7152 if you haven't heard back within a week.
UDAF will send an invoice with payment instructions for the $50 registration fee. Recipe review begins after payment is received.
The Cottage Food Program Manager will sort your recipes into approved, conditionally approved, and not-approvable. Some recipes near the pH/water-activity threshold may require Process Authority lab testing before they can be cleared.
Once recipes are approved, UDAF schedules your home kitchen inspection. Inspections are now conducted via Google Meet — you'll need a smartphone or tablet with camera, microphone, and the Google Meet app installed.
After passing inspection, you receive your registration. Display your registration in your kitchen and at any sales location where you sell directly to consumers. Renew annually before December 31.
UDAF moved cottage food inspections to a virtual format. You'll receive a Google Meet link from UDAF staff. Use a smartphone or tablet — they work better than laptops for moving around a kitchen. Have the Google Meet app installed and signed in to your Google account, and grant camera and microphone permissions when prompted.
Have your food handler's permit, your business license, your approved recipes, and your kitchen sanitation plan available during the inspection. Be prepared to demonstrate how you monitor refrigerator temperatures, finished food storage, and cleaning practices. UDAF provides a pre-inspection checklist on their website.
HB 181 sellers: No state inspection required. Local business license requirements may include a basic zoning or home-occupation review depending on your city.
Microenterprise Home Kitchen Act sellers: Annual inspection by your local health department, not UDAF. Requirements vary county to county — contact your LHD directly.
Utah has 12 local health departments serving the state's 29 counties. Cottage Food Program registration is handled at the state level by UDAF, but local rules can layer on top — particularly around zoning, home-occupation permits, and food handler training providers.
Common local requirements to check on:
The 12 Utah local health departments: Bear River, Central Utah, Davis County, Salt Lake County, San Juan, Southeast Utah, Southwest Utah, Summit County, Tooele County, TriCounty, Utah County, Wasatch County, Weber-Morgan.
Upload your UDAF registration, food handler's permit, business license, and sales tax permit to one secure place. Get automated reminder emails 60, 30, and 7 days before each one expires — never lose your standing because a renewal slipped past you.
Create Free Account to Use This Tool →UDAF Regulatory Services Division · Cottage Food Program
Once you've got your permits in hand, list your first three products free — no credit card required. Built for home cooks across Utah and beyond.