Home Bakery License

About

“Home bakery” means a business on the premises of a residence that is operating as a home-based bakery where baked goods are prepared for consumption elsewhere. Annual gross sales of these products cannot exceed $35,000. “Home bakery” does not include: 1. A food establishment; 2. A food processing plant; 3. A residence where food is prepared to be used or sold by churches, fraternal societies, or charitable, civic, or nonprofit organizations; 4. A residence that prepares or distributes honey; 5. A residence that distributes shell eggs; 6. A residence that prepares foods that are not time/temperature controlled for safety, for sale at a farmers market; or 7. A residence that prepares baked goods that are not time/temperature controlled for safety, sold directly from the residence. This exception does not apply to resale goods. This exception applies only to sales made from the residence in person and does not include mail order or Internet sales.

Code Citation Iowa Code Chapter 137D

Who Applies A person wishing to operate a home bakery. Gross annual sales may not exceed $35,000.

When To Apply Application must be received at least 30 days prior to the intended operating date and a license issued before a home bakery operator may sell or distribute food in Iowa.

Initial Requirements All regulatory requirements must be met before a license is issued.

Duration License expires one year from the date issued.

Processing Time 30 days.

Fee Structure License application: $50

Renewal Requirements Renewal applications and fees must be received prior to the license expiration date.

Exam Does not apply.

Additional Information Online applications and renewals are preferred, and are processed faster than paper applications. Renewals can be submitted up to 60 days prior to the license expiration date.