Michigan direct-to-consumer compliance guide, 2026
Meats
Meat and poultry must come from inspected or licensed processors; exempt poultry has strict limits.
Licensed Facility Required- 0Meat products under cottage law
- 1,000Bird exemption, direct sale
- 20,000Larger poultry exemption limit
- Exempt P.L. 90-492Mark on exempt poultry
YesWhat's covered
- Meat processed at a USDA-inspected or MDARD-licensed facility
- Custom-exempt processing for the animal owner's personal use
- Poultry under federal producer/grower exemptions with an MDARD food license where required
- Rabbit processed at an MDARD-licensed facility
NoNeeds a different path
- Jerky, dried or smoked meat and fish under the cottage exemption
- Selling custom-exempt meat marked 'Not for Sale'
- Reselling meat you did not raise without a food license
- Poultry slaughtered on farm and sold at a market without license or approved plant
Three compliance steps
- A
Choose a processing route
Custom exempt (owner's use only, cannot be sold), MDARD-licensed, or USDA-inspected. Selling at a farmers market requires the licensed or inspected route.
- B
Check poultry exemptions
The 1,000- and 20,000-bird exemptions limit volume and sales channels. In Michigan, exempt producers selling product need an MDARD food license.
- C
License, label and tell your county
Hold an MDARD food establishment license where needed, mark exempt poultry 'Exempt P.L. 90-492', and secure EGLE wastewater and well approvals.
Quick reference
| Item | Rule | Regulator |
|---|---|---|
| Cottage exemption | Excludes meat, fish, jerky and dehydrated meats | MDARD |
| Custom exempt | Owner's use only; packages marked Not for Sale | USDA / MDARD |
| Poultry 1,000 / 20,000 | Limited by federal exemption; Michigan license for selling | USDA / MDARD |
| Farmers market meat | Seller who did not produce the animal needs a license; rabbit from licensed facility | MDARD |
| Facility utilities | Wastewater permit; well approval from local health dept. | EGLE / LHD |
| Sales | Unprepared food generally exempt from sales tax | MI Treasury |
Frequently asked questions
Can I butcher chickens at home and sell them?
Only under a federal poultry exemption, and Michigan requires an MDARD license for exempt producers who sell. Poultry sold at a market must come from a licensed or inspected facility.
What does Exempt P.L. 90-492 mean?
It is the federal statement required on poultry processed under an exemption.
Can I sell jerky?
Not under cottage rules. It needs a licensed facility.
Printable checklist
- Choose custom, MDARD-licensed or USDA route
- Confirm the processor's license or inspection
- Count birds against the exemption limit
- Apply for MDARD food establishment license if needed
- Print required label statements
- Secure EGLE and local health approvals
- Keep cold-chain and sales records