State rules

Can you sell backyard eggs in North Carolina?

Yes. Eggs from your own flock can be sold ungraded on the farm where they're laid, or anywhere as long as ungraded sales stay at or under 30 dozen a week.

Read from 6 official sources16 passages quotedChecked October 6, 2026

At a glance

License

Not needed

Small-flock line

30 dozen a week off the farm

Farmers markets

With conditions

Cartons

Reuse allowed

In plain English

North Carolina's Egg Law has no egg-seller license at all; its core requirement is that eggs marketed to consumers, institutional consumers or retailers carry a grade and size designation. A producer selling eggs of their own production is exempt from that grading/designation requirement either (a) when the sale happens on the premises where the eggs are produced or processed, or (b) anywhere, as long as ungraded sales do not exceed 30 dozen per week. Exempt eggs may be labeled 'ungraded eggs'. Container labeling (the word 'eggs', count, name and address of packer/distributor) and the 45°F handling rule still apply to anyone marketing eggs.

A sourced reading of North Carolina's rules, not legal advice. Rules change; confirm with North Carolina Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services before you sell.

Do you need a license?

No license or registration for small direct sales30 dozen a week off the farm
  • Eggs must be of the producer's own production.
  • Exempt from grade/size designation if sold on the premises where produced or processed (no volume limit stated), OR if ungraded sales do not exceed 30 dozen per week (no venue limit stated).
  • 'Ungraded Eggs' means eggs as collected from the production unit and placed into retail channels without being graded or segregated for quality, soundness of shell, or size; checks, dirties, or other obvious defects may have been removed at collection.02 NCAC 09O .0101(4)
  • The term 'ungraded eggs' may be used to designate eggs exempt from grading under G.S. 106-245.15.02 NCAC 09O .0103(a)
  • Cracked or checked eggs may be sold by a producer to a consumer only at the premises where produced, never to an institutional consumer.02 NCAC 09O .0103(c)
The exact wording
“a producer marketing eggs of his own production shall be exempt from this section when such marketing occurs on the premises where the eggs are produced, processed, or when ungraded sales do not exceed 30 dozen per week.”

Where you can sell

From home or the farm

Allowed

Expressly exempt from grade designation when marketing occurs on the premises where the eggs are produced or processed; no volume cap stated for on-premises sales.

Farmers markets

With conditions

Off-premises sales are exempt from grading only while ungraded sales do not exceed 30 dozen per week; container must still show 'eggs', count, and name and address of the packer (statute §106-245.18), and may be marked 'ungraded eggs'. Local market rules not checked.

Stores and restaurants

With conditions

The statute's exemption applies to marketing 'to consumers, institutional consumers or retailers', so a producer under 30 dozen/week may sell ungraded eggs to stores or restaurants. 02 NCAC 09O .0102(d) expressly lets retailers display eggs in bulk marked 'Ungraded Eggs' when bought directly from persons eligible to sell ungraded eggs. Sales to a retailer or institutional consumer require an invoice (date, seller name/address, purchaser, quantity, grade and size-weight class) kept 30 days by both parties (§106-245.19). Cracked/checked eggs may not go to institutional consumers.

Cartons, labels and handling

Cartons

Reused cartons are allowed.

Any person intending to reuse a container shall obscure any inappropriate labeling thereon and relabel the container in accordance with this section prior to refilling the container with eggs. (§106-245.18(a)). Containers and packaging must be clean, unbroken and free from foreign odor (§106-245.22(a)).

Refrigeration

45°F or colder where the rule applies.

“when gathered and placed in a refrigerated cooling room with an ambient temperature of 45 degrees F. or lower until graded and packed. After grading and packing, eggs shall be held or transported at a refrigerated ambient temperature of 45 degrees F. or lower without freezing until sold to the consumer or used in food preparation.”

The label must show

  • grade (or 'ungraded eggs' for exempt producer eggs)
  • size or weight class (not applicable to exempt ungraded eggs)
  • the word 'eggs'
  • numerical count of the contents
  • name and address of the packer or distributor

The carton label maker prints these lines with the federal safe handling statement.

Grading

Ungraded sales are allowed only in some cases.

Ungraded sales allowed on the premises where produced/processed (no cap) or anywhere up to 30 dozen per week; otherwise eggs must be graded to USDA AMS-56 standards (incorporated by 02 NCAC 09O .0103(a)) with final grade determined by candling (.0106).

Washing

No washing mandate. §106-245.22(a): eggs 'shall, so far as possible and by use of all reasonable means, be protected from being soiled or dirtied by foreign matter. When cleaning is necessary a sanitary method approved by the Commissioner shall be employed.'

Federal rules apply on top of North Carolina's: the four federal egg rules. Pricing your dozen? The egg price calculator works it out from your feed bill.

What changed recently

  1. 2017-05-01 · 02 NCAC 09O .0101–.0107 readopted effective March 1 / May 1, 2017 (rules review). No later amendment appears in the OAH rule history notes. Source
  2. 2013 · Most recent statutory amendment in Article 25A is S.L. 2013-265, s. 11 (advertising, §106-245.20). The producer exemption in §106-245.15 dates from 1973 (c. 739). Source

Common questions

Do I need a license to sell eggs from my backyard chickens in North Carolina?
Yes. Eggs from your own flock can be sold ungraded on the farm where they're laid, or anywhere as long as ungraded sales stay at or under 30 dozen a week. Small-flock line: 30 dozen a week off the farm. The conditions, and the law they come from, are on this page.
Can I sell eggs at a farmers market in North Carolina?
Allowed with conditions. Off-premises sales are exempt from grading only while ungraded sales do not exceed 30 dozen per week; container must still show 'eggs', count, and name and address of the packer (statute §106-245.18), and may be marked 'ungraded eggs'. Local market rules not checked.
Can I reuse egg cartons in North Carolina?
Yes. The rule reads: "Any person intending to reuse a container shall obscure any inappropriate labeling thereon and relabel the container in accordance with this section prior to refilling the container with eggs. (§106-245.18(a)). Containers and packaging must be clean, unbroken and free from foreign odor (§106-245.22(a))."
What has to be on the carton label in North Carolina?
grade (or 'ungraded eggs' for exempt producer eggs), size or weight class (not applicable to exempt ungraded eggs), the word 'eggs', numerical count of the contents, name and address of the packer or distributor. The rule reads: "Any container or subcontainer in which eggs are marketed shall bear on the outside portion of the container, but not be limited to, the following: (1) The applicable consumer grade provided for in this Article. (2) The applicable size or weight class provided for in this Article. (3) The word "eggs." (4) The numerical count of the contents. (5) The name and address of the packer or distributor." The federal safe handling statement applies as well; our carton label maker prints all of it.
Do eggs I sell in North Carolina have to be refrigerated?
Yes, at 45°F or colder. The rule reads: "when gathered and placed in a refrigerated cooling room with an ambient temperature of 45 degrees F. or lower until graded and packed. After grading and packing, eggs shall be held or transported at a refrigerated ambient temperature of 45 degrees F. or lower without freezing until sold to the consumer or used in food preparation."
Sources
Read the 16 passages this page is built on
  • “No person shall market to consumers, institutional consumers or retailers or expose for that purpose any eggs unless there is clearly designated therewith on the container the grade and size or weight class established in accordance with the provisions of this Article ... provided, however, a producer marketing eggs of his own production shall be exempt from this section when such marketing occurs on the premises where the eggs are produced, processed, or when ungraded sales do not exceed 30 dozen per week.”

    N.C. Gen. Stat. § 106-245.15 · read 2026-10-06

  • “"Consumer" means any person who purchases eggs for his or her use or his or her own family use or consumption and not for resale.”

    N.C. Gen. Stat. § 106-245.14 · read 2026-10-06

  • “"Institutional consumer" means a restaurant, hotel, licensed boarding house, commercial bakery or any other institution in which eggs are prepared as food for use by its patrons, residents or patients.”

    N.C. Gen. Stat. § 106-245.14 · read 2026-10-06

  • “"Retailer" means any person who markets eggs to consumers.”

    N.C. Gen. Stat. § 106-245.14 · read 2026-10-06

  • “Any container or subcontainer in which eggs are marketed shall bear on the outside portion of the container, but not be limited to, the following: (1) The applicable consumer grade provided for in this Article. (2) The applicable size or weight class provided for in this Article. (3) The word "eggs." (4) The numerical count of the contents. (5) The name and address of the packer or distributor.”

    N.C. Gen. Stat. § 106-245.18 · read 2026-10-06

  • “Any person intending to reuse a container shall obscure any inappropriate labeling thereon and relabel the container in accordance with this section prior to refilling the container with eggs.”

    N.C. Gen. Stat. § 106-245.18 · read 2026-10-06

  • “The term "fresh" may only be applied to eggs conforming to the specifications for Grade A or better. No other descriptive term other than applicable grade and size may be applied.”

    N.C. Gen. Stat. § 106-245.18 · read 2026-10-06

  • “Any person, except a producer marketing eggs to another person for candling and grading, when marketing eggs to a retailer, institutional consumer, or other person shall furnish to the purchaser at the time of delivery an invoice showing date of sale, name and address of the seller, name of purchaser, quantity, grade and size-weight classification.”

    N.C. Gen. Stat. § 106-245.19 · read 2026-10-06

  • “In all instances eggs shall, so far as possible and by use of all reasonable means, be protected from being soiled or dirtied by foreign matter. When cleaning is necessary a sanitary method approved by the Commissioner shall be employed.”

    N.C. Gen. Stat. § 106-245.22 · read 2026-10-06

  • “"Ungraded Eggs" means eggs as collected from the production unit and placed into retail channels without being graded or segregated for quality, soundness of shell, or size; except that checks, dirties, or other obvious defects may have been removed at time of collection.”

    02 NCAC 09O .0101 · read 2026-10-06

  • “Retailers may display eggs in bulk without the grade and size designated thereon when such eggs are purchased directly from persons eligible to sell ungraded eggs, and if the display is labeled with the words, "Ungraded Eggs". This label shall be bold legible letters at least three-eighths inch high.”

    02 NCAC 09O .0101 · read 2026-10-06

  • “shall apply to all shell eggs sold, offered for sale, or advertised for sale in this State, except the term "ungraded eggs" may be used to designate eggs exempt from grading pursuant to G.S. 106-245.15.”

    02 NCAC 09O .0101 · read 2026-10-06

  • “Cracked or checked eggs may be sold by producers or processors to a consumer for his or her personal use, but shall not be sold to an "institutional consumer" as defined in G.S. 106-245.14. Such sales shall be made only at the premises where the cracked or checked eggs were produced or processed.”

    02 NCAC 09O .0101 · read 2026-10-06

  • “Except when sold directly by the producer to the consumer, it shall be unlawful to offer for sale any repackaged eggs at any retail outlet.”

    02 NCAC 09O .0101 · read 2026-10-06

  • “when gathered and placed in a refrigerated cooling room with an ambient temperature of 45 degrees F. or lower until graded and packed. After grading and packing, eggs shall be held or transported at a refrigerated ambient temperature of 45 degrees F. or lower without freezing until sold to the consumer or used in food preparation.”

    02 NCAC 09O .0101 · read 2026-10-06

  • “(1955, c. 213, s. 7; 1965, c. 1138, s. 1; 1973, c. 739, s. 1.)”

    N.C. Gen. Stat. § 106-245.15 · read 2026-10-06

What we couldn't confirm
  • NCDA&CS Egg program page is a stub ('Click below for the Egg Laws & Regulations') with no plain-language guidance, phone or date; the page links to the obsolete 02 NCAC 43H location (rules were transferred to 02 NCAC 09O in 2012).
  • Whether the 30-dozen/week cap and the on-premises exemption can be combined (unlimited on-farm plus 30 dozen off-farm) is not stated; the statute reads as two alternative conditions.
  • Did not search the NC General Assembly bill index for 2024–2026 bills amending Article 25A; relied on the statute history lines on the ncleg.gov section pages (latest 2013).
  • Restaurant/retail purchasing is governed also by the NC Food Code approved-source rules (DHHS), which were not checked.

Other states

Legal in your state? Then keep the books.

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