Cottage Kitchen Guidance

City of Norwich – Guidance for Cottage Kitchens (Minor Home Occupations)

Purpose

This document provides guidance to Norwich residents who wish to operate a cottage kitchen under the State of Connecticut’s Cottage Food Program and the City of Norwich Zoning Regulations. It clarifies how state and local requirements apply together and outlines the process for obtaining local approval.

State of Connecticut (DCP) Cottage Food Rules

  • Cottage food products must be prepared in a home kitchen licensed by the CT Department of Consumer Protection (DCP).

  • Sales must be direct, person-to-person between producer and consumer.

  • Products may be sold at farmers markets, fairs, events, or via direct delivery.

  • Retail sales from the home are not permitted. Customers may not walk up to a house and purchase goods.

  • Third-party or wholesale sales are prohibited. Cottage foods may not be placed in stores, restaurants, or other retail outlets.

  • Roadside stands are not consistent with the person-to-person requirement. Because cottage food sales must be direct and face-to-face, roadside stands—especially self-serve stands—do not meet state rules unless the producer is physically present and conducting each sale directly.

Norwich Zoning Regulations – Minor Home Occupations (§ 6.1.2)

  • Cottage kitchens fall under the category of Minor Home Occupations, which are permitted in all residential districts as accessory uses.

  • Activities must be clearly incidental to residential use and cannot alter the character of the neighborhood.

  • All home-based businesses, including cottage kitchens, must be conducted within the dwelling itself. They may not be operated from an accessory structure (such as a detached garage, shed, or barn).

  • Employees (§ 6.1.2): A minor home occupation may employ no more than one non-resident employee in addition to resident occupants.

  • Prohibited under Minor Home Occupation:

    • Retail bakeries or storefronts.

    • Catering businesses operated from a residence.

    • On-site retail sales to customers.

Norwich Zoning Regulations – Roadside/Farm Stands (§ 1.3.4)

  • Roadside stands are permitted only as an accessory use to agriculture. They may not be used for cottage kitchen products.

  • Roadside/farm stands are specifically tied to bona fide farms or gardens, and are not permitted in connection with home occupations in any residential district.

Local Zoning Permit Requirement

Before beginning cottage kitchen operations in Norwich, residents must obtain a Business / Home Occupation Approval (Zoning Permit) from the Zoning Enforcement Officer.

Application Requirements (§ 7.2, § 6.1):

  1. Completed Business/Home Occupation Zoning Permit Application.

  2. Site plan or sketch of the property and dwelling, identifying where the home occupation will take place.

  3. Narrative of the proposed use, including:

    • Types of cottage foods to be produced.

    • Confirmation of no retail sales at the home.

    • Statement that products will be delivered or sold directly at permitted venues.

    • Confirmation of the number of employees (no more than one non-resident, plus resident occupants).

    • Confirmation that the business will be conducted within the home only and not in any accessory structure.

  4. Copy of the State of Connecticut DCP Cottage Food License.

  5. Any other supporting information necessary to confirm compliance with zoning standards (e.g., no signage, no exterior alterations).

Do’s and Don’ts for Cottage Kitchens in Norwich

✅ Do:

  • Apply for and obtain both a DCP Cottage Food License and a Norwich Zoning Permit.

  • Prepare foods only as allowed under the state program.

  • Deliver products directly to customers or sell at farmers markets/events.

  • Ensure operations remain incidental to residential use.

  • Conduct all operations within the home.

  • Limit staffing to resident occupants plus no more than one non-resident employee.

❌ Don’t:

  • Operate a bakery, catering service, or food retail business from your home.

  • Sell products directly from your residence to walk-in customers.

  • Operate or use a roadside stand for cottage foods.

    • State law requires direct, person-to-person sales, which rules out roadside stands.

    • Norwich zoning allows stands only as accessory to farms or gardens—not to home occupations.

    • Together, these rules mean cottage kitchens cannot operate roadside stands in any district.

  • Employ more than one non-resident worker.

  • Install signs/alterations that make the home appear commercial.

  • Conduct the business in a garage, shed, barn, or other accessory structure.

Contact Information

For questions or to apply for a Business/Home Occupation Approval (Zoning Permit):

City of Norwich – Planning & Zoning Office
23 Union Street
Norwich, CT 06360
Phone: (860) 823-3745

Online Permitting Portal: Apply for a Home Occupation Permit

This guidance is provided to ensure compliance with both the State of Connecticut Cottage Food Program and the City of Norwich Zoning Regulations. Failure to obtain proper approvals may result in zoning enforcement actions.