Hi all--

I've been poking around the internet trying to find some info on starting a home decorating business in Florida. I can't find answers to even the simplest of questions (like, can I even HAVE a home decorating business here?!?).

If it is legal to do it... where do I start? Is there a health department issue?

I've looked at the link from the home page of CC about starting a business which links me to the Florida Department of State site... but after that, I'm not finding what I need.

ANY help at all from anyone would be GREATLY appreciated!

Thanx!
Denise

I'm going through the same thing in Alabama. Call the local health department. They will send you a packet with the information about the rules for your state. In Alabama, we are not allowed to have a home based food business out of our regular family kitchen, however, we can add on to our house to make a bakery that does comply with the rules about the types of oven hoods, flooring, counter and walls, etc. We can also use a kitchen with permission from a local restraunt if they will allow us to come in a bake cakes in thier ovens.
I had alot of trouble finding out info until I called the local county health department and they gave me all the answers. Good luck!

i live in Florida, sadly we can not bake food in our homes and sell to the public

dang... that really stinks. Kinda puts a damper on things. I see a lot of people advertising their personal businesses around here (near Tampa)..... I guess they either do it hoping to not get caught or they have some commercial kitchen they can use.

I do appreciate the replies, although not what I wanted to hear!

Thanx again!

It depends on the county you're in. My Mother is in Suwannee county and is able to. They came out, and inspected her kitchen, (no 3 compartment sink), and was given the ok. I'm in Duval county, and can not.

True...this is a county by county issue. I'm in Alachua county and must have a "certified" kitchen. Could be in my home...could be in a restaurant, church, etc...

It is not a county a county issue. It is mandated by the state. It is illegal in all countys in Fl to bake and sell from home. Each county may have additional rules, but the state had set them. The ispections used to be made by the dept of health in each county, but now falls under the state's dept of Agriculture. You can build a kitchen at your home but it must meet requirements, bathroom, three compartment sink, mop sink, ect... It absolutely must be seperate from your living areas.

This is from the dept of agriculture website:
Can one cook or prepare food at home to sell to the public?
Preparation of food for sale to the public must be in a facility in which there is complete separation of living quarters from food preparation facilities. The food preparation facility must be adequately equipped and fully satisfy all food facility requirements of Chapter 500, F.S., and section 5K-4, F.A.C.
http://fac.dos.state.fl.us/faconline/chapter05.pdf
Start reading at the bottom of page 484


What kind of a sink must one have at a food establishment?
A three compartment sink with two drainboards is necessary in most food establishments to enable the operator to properly wash, rinse, and sanitize soiled food equipment and utensils. A warewashing or hand washing sink may not be used for dumping mop water. Refer to the guidelines provided in the document entitled, Minimum Construction Standards and Specifications Checklist.
http://www.doacs.state.fl.us/fs/conststd.html Read this!!!!!

Hope that helps.

I know this probly won't apply because I'm in Michigan, but when I was finding out info the township said I COULD bake from home and that it would be ok, I would just have to get inspected. This seemed odd to me since I know inspectors DON'T come to your house here, so I called back and they said I could still do it from home. After playing phone tag for about 2 or 3 days with different groups and legal place I found out you can NOT sell from your home in MI (unless certified seperate kitchen) and that my township and county has been telling people wrong. It is a state law that counties can not override----at least here in MI.

i wonder how suwannee can & i can't--that's not fair--

i was also told to contact the state (dept of ag, i think) when i called the local health dept.

Suwannee is in the wrong, but it's a smal lcounty and it sounds like they are still operating by the old rules.

well, a building is a start..lol.

When I came down to Florida in 96 you could still bake out of your home ( according to the info that I got ) by the time I moved down in '99 it was no longer possible.

so, I've been here since...'99 till just now that I opened my shop.

and, YES, even though I don't think its fair that I had to bust my behind working to save money to get what I need to open my shop so I could bake legally...

I resent HOMEBAKERS, undercutting my prices and taking business away from me...

But I ALSO believe in FREE ENTERPRISE, and I would NEVER turn anyone in...well, I would have to think long and hard if they were right next door..lol

The rules are there for a reason. If you don' t like them....CHANGE THEM. Don't let the goverment pass legislations that affect you without you getting involved, because once they pass....it's just TOO LATE to pitch and moan about it.!!!!