District Of Columbia § 7-742.02 - Cottage food businesses.
Full text of District Of Columbia D.C. Code § 7-742.02 — Cottage food businesses., with citation guidance and answers to common questions.
§ 7-742.02. Cottage food businesses.
7-742.02This section shall not:
Apply to a food establishment that is required to have a license under Department regulations; or
Exempt a cottage food business from any applicable District or federal tax laws.
A cottage food business shall register with the Cottage Food Business Registry within the Department before beginning operation.
The Department shall perform an inspection of the cottage food business before that business may sell its cottage food products.
If a cottage food business passes the inspection, the Department shall issue a cottage food business identification number to the cottage food business.
The Department shall have the authority to enter the premises of a cottage food business registered with the CFBR to conduct a pre-operational inspection and to investigate complaints pertaining to the sale or preparation of cottage food products pursuant to subsection (d) of this section.
The owner of a cottage food business may sell only cottage food products that are:
Stored on the premises of the cottage food business; and
Prepackaged with a label that contains the following information:
The cottage food business identification number;
The name of the cottage food product;
The ingredients of the cottage food product in descending order of the amount of each ingredient by weight;
The net weight or net volume of the cottage food product;
Allergen information as specified by federal labeling requirements;
If any nutritional claim is made, nutritional information as specified by federal labeling requirements; and
The following statement printed in 10-point or larger type in a color that provides a clear contrast to the background of the label: “Made by a cottage food business that is not subject to the District of Columbia's food safety regulations.
The Department may investigate any complaint alleging that a cottage food business has violated this section.
On receipt of a complaint, a representative of the Department, at a reasonable time, may enter and inspect the premises of a cottage food business to determine compliance with this section.
The owner of a cottage food business may not:
Refuse to grant access to a representative who requests to enter and inspect the premises of the cottage food business under paragraph (2) of this subsection; or
Interfere with any inspection under paragraph (2) of this subsection.
An investigation of a cottage food business conducted under this subsection may include sampling of a cottage food product to determine if the cottage food product is misbranded or adulterated.
The Mayor, pursuant to [ et seq.], may issue rules to implement the provisions of this subchapter. The proposed regulations shall be submitted to the Council for a 60-day period of review, excluding Saturdays, Sundays, legal holidays, and days of Council recess. If the Council does not approve or disapprove the proposed regulations, in whole or in part, by resolution within this 60-day review period, the proposed rules shall be deemed approved.
Annotations
Applicability of : Section 3 of , as amended by , § 7003, provided that the act shall apply as of October 1, 2015.
Applicability of : Section 3 of provided that the act shall apply upon the inclusion of its fiscal effect in an approved budget and financial plan, as certified by the Chief Financial Officer to the Budget Director of the Council in a certification published by the Council in the District of Columbia Register.
Source: official District Of Columbia text · Last verified 2026-08-27
Frequently Asked Questions About District Of Columbia § 7-742.02
What does D.C. Code § 7-742.02 cover?
Section 7-742.02 ("Cottage food businesses.") is part of the D.C. Code, the codified statutory law of District Of Columbia. It sets out the legal rule or procedure described in the text above. Statutes are amended regularly, so always verify against the official source.
How do I cite District Of Columbia § 7-742.02?
A common citation format is "D.C. Code § 7-742.02" (District Of Columbia). Legal writing may require the code abbreviation, section number, and year or edition. Match the style required by your court, professor, or publisher.
Is this the official text of District Of Columbia law?
No. This page is for research and education and may not include the most recent amendments. For official current law, check the District Of Columbia official source linked on this page or consult a licensed District Of Columbia attorney.
How does District Of Columbia § 7-742.02 apply to my situation?
Statutes are interpreted in context, and application depends on your specific facts. Only a licensed attorney in District Of Columbia can advise on how this section applies to you. Contact your state or local bar association for a referral.
Sources & Verification
Not legal advice. Verify against the official source and consult a licensed attorney in District Of Columbia.