Georgia's new cottage food regulations were recently put into effect by the Georgia Department of Agriculture. These regulations allow home bakers and food artisans creating non potentially hazardous foods to sell them directly from their home kitchens. These regulations are VERY different from what was in place before, so please read through to find out about the changes. County regulations however, can supersede these regulations. You must check with your local government to see what is required and allowed.

This is why this petition has been created. Many in Gwinnett County, GA would like to apply and receive licensing. However, there are a few hurdles that we'd have to cross.

First, the state prohibits any commercial equipment to be used in the home. We need a variance or a conditional provision to allow for this if counties require it.

Secondly, Gwinnett County requires you to have a 1500 gallon grease trap for any type of food service or sales. Though the Cottage Law is neither a food service or sale, Gwinnett officials consider it such. This is crazy. A 1500 gallon grease trap is about the size of a storage shed. No residential zoning would allow for that. We need to seek a variance for Cottage Law Licensing.

Thirdly, we need to convince the county that those working from their homes are wanting to work legitimately and willing to pay their business taxes to do so. Not to approve would be a loss of money for the county and the state.

Won't you join us? We are not looking for a fight but we are looking to stand up for what we believe is fair.

Thank you.