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Florida egg laws

Selling eggs from a small flock

What Florida law says about selling eggs from your own hens, in plain words, with a link to the source for each point.

The short version

Three ways to sell, by how much you sell

  1. Fewer than 30 dozen a week

    Direct to the people who eat them

    Florida law calls anyone who sells 30 dozen or more eggs in a week an egg "dealer". Sell fewer than that, straight to your customers, and you're not a dealer: no grading, candling or dealer permit for those sales.

    Source: Florida Statutes 583.01

  2. Optional permit

    Limited Poultry & Egg Farm permit

    For small farms with up to 3,000 hens, still under 30 dozen a week. You sell in Florida only, at a roadside stand, a farmers market or by delivery. No mail order and no wholesale. Eggs go in clean, unused cartons labelled with your farm's name and address. It costs about $110/yr.

    Source: Fla. Admin. Code 5K-4.033 (amended November 11, 2025, which raised the limit from 1,000 hens; the FDACS web page may still say 1,000) and FDACS.

  3. 30 dozen or more a week

    A full dealer permit

    Selling 30 dozen or more a week, or selling to stores and restaurants, takes a dealer permit from the state, with grading and inspection. That's beyond what this directory is built for.

    Source: Florida Statutes 583.09

Exempt seller

Sells under Florida's 30-dozen/week direct-to-consumer exemption.

Permitted farm

Holds a Limited Poultry & Egg Farm permit.

On GetLocalEggs.com, each farm declares which fits it. Both get the same badge.

Good practice

Cartons, labels and keeping eggs cold

Some of these are required only in certain cases. All of them are what buyers expect.

  • Use clean cartons

    Permit holders must use clean, unused cartons with the farm's name and address. For everyone, don't reuse a store brand's carton with its label showing.

    5K-4.033

  • Keep them at 45°F or below

    Federal rules require eggs held for sale in stores to be kept at 45°F or colder. Whether that reaches a farm-gate sale isn't spelled out, but a cooler costs little and buyers notice.

    21 CFR 115.50

  • Safe handling label

    Egg cartons in commerce carry the federal "Safe Handling Instructions" statement. Adding it to yours is simple and tells buyers you know the rules.

    21 CFR 101.17(h)

  • Duck, quail and other eggs

    Florida's egg law is written about chicken eggs. It doesn't say how duck or quail eggs are treated, so ask the state before you sell them in quantity.

    583.01