State rules

Can you sell backyard eggs in Indiana?

Yes. Selling your own hens' eggs where they're laid needs no permit. A farmers' market stand takes a $20 State Egg Board permit, and selling to stores, restaurants or by delivery takes other permits.

Read from 4 official sources23 passages quotedChecked October 6, 2026

At a glance

License

Depends how you sell

Small-flock line

No number: sell on your farm

Farmers markets

License needed

Cartons

Reuse with conditions

In plain English

Indiana sets no hen-count line. The test is where you sell: farmers and other egg producers who sell their own flock's eggs on the premises where the eggs were produced are outside the egg law altogether, so no permit, grading or labeling rules from the State Egg Board apply there. The Egg Board reads that as buyers picking up at the same place the chickens live; selling online with delivery counts as retail and needs a retail permit. Selling your own eggs at a recognized farmers' market takes a $20 farmers' market retail permit (July 1 to June 30). Selling to stores, restaurants, schools or other institutions makes you a wholesaler: $50 a year below 5 cases (150 dozen) a week, or a $50 combination permit that covers both a farmers' market stand and small wholesale sales of your own eggs. Permit holders sell graded, sized, dated and labeled eggs held at 45°F or below. The Egg Board regulates chicken eggs only.

A sourced reading of Indiana's rules, not legal advice. Rules change; confirm with Indiana State Egg Board (administered through Purdue University) (765-494-8510) before you sell.

Do you need a license?

Depends on how and how much you sellNo number: sell on your farm
  • Sell and deliver the eggs on the premises where they were produced.IC 16-42-11-8
  • Sell only eggs produced by your own flock on your own premises.IC 16-42-11-8
  • Buyers pick up where the chickens are kept; selling online with delivery to the buyer needs a retail permit.Indiana State Egg Board licensing page
  • At a recognized farmers' market, selling only your own eggs directly to consumers: a farmers' market retail permit, $20 a year.IC 16-42-11-9.5; 370 IAC 1-12-2
  • Selling or delivering to retailers, hotels, restaurants, hospitals, nursing homes, schools or institutions makes a producer a wholesaler needing a wholesale permit: $50 a year under 5 cases a week, or the $50 farmers' market/wholesale combination permit for fewer than 5 cases (150 dozen) a week of your own eggs.IC 16-42-11-1.1(8); 370 IAC 1-12-2
  • Permit holders hold eggs at 45°F or below and sell packages marked Grade AA, A or B with size, pack date, expiration date, packer identification, a refrigeration statement and safe handling instructions.370 IAC 1-2-1, 1-3-2, 1-3-3, 1-6-1
The exact wording
“Farmers and other bona fide egg producers who sell and deliver, on the premises where produced, eggs produced by their own flocks on their own premises are exempt from this chapter.”

Where you can sell

From home or the farm

Allowed

Sales on the premises where your own flock's eggs were produced are exempt from the egg law (IC 16-42-11-8). The Egg Board: 'No license is required if you sell only from the location where eggs are produced', with buyers picking up where the chickens are. Delivery or online sales with delivery need a retail permit.

Farmers markets

License needed

A farmers' market retail permit from the State Egg Board, $20 a year (July 1 to June 30), for your own eggs sold directly to consumers at a recognized farmers' market (two or more farmers selling their own products on a regular basis). Reused cartons are allowed for these sales (370 IAC 1-3-3.1(b)); eggs must still be graded, labeled and held at 45°F or below. State law bars cities and counties from adding their own licensing or inspection for these sellers (IC 16-42-11-9.5(b)).

Stores and restaurants

License needed

A producer who sells or delivers eggs to retailers, hotels, restaurants, hospitals, nursing homes, schools or institutions is a 'wholesaler' (IC 16-42-11-1.1(8)) and needs a wholesale permit: $50 a year under 5 cases (150 dozen) a week, no deposit, with a semi-annual volume report; or the $50 farmers' market/wholesale combination permit. Eggs go in new cartons with full grade, size and date labeling (370 IAC 1-3-3.1, 1-6-1).

Cartons, labels and handling

Cartons

Reused cartons are allowed, with conditions.

“All eggs offered for sale at retail shall be packaged in new consumer containers. … Farmers market retail sales directly to the end consumer will be exempt from the requirement to utilize new consumer containers.”

Refrigeration

45°F or colder where the rule applies.

“provide adequate space and storage facilities to hold shell eggs at an ambient temperature of forty-five (45) degrees Fahrenheit or below.”

The label must show

  • packer identification (name and address of packer, or an egg license number)
  • grade (AA, A or B) and size
  • date the eggs were packed
  • expiration date (EXP, Sell By, Best By or Use By)
  • refrigeration statement
  • safe handling instructions, boxed, heading in bold capitals

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

Grading

Ungraded sales are allowed only in some cases.

On-farm sales of your own eggs are outside the egg law (IC 16-42-11-8), so no grade is required there. Anyone selling under a permit must meet the board's quality and weight standards (IC 16-42-11-6; USDA standards adopted in 370 IAC 1-1-3) and mark packages Grade AA, A or B with a size (370 IAC 1-6-1); no 'ungraded' option appears in the rules or the Egg Board's labeling guidance.

Washing

No washing rule for small sellers in the sources read. 370 IAC 1-10-1 sets wash-water rules (potable water, at least 90°F and 20°F warmer than the eggs) for shell egg grading plants.

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

What changed recently

  1. 2025-11-05 · The State Egg Board readopted its rules, 370 IAC 1 (temperature, labeling, grading, permits and fees), filed November 5, 2025 (20251119-IR-370240504RFA). Source
  2. 2024 · IC 16-42-11-5.5 (State Egg Board rules during a declared emergency or sudden disruption of egg commerce) amended by P.L.93-2024. Source
  3. 2023 · IC 16-42-11-1.1 (definitions) and 16-42-11-9.5 (farmers' market retail permit) last amended by P.L.11-2023. Source

Common questions

Do I need a license to sell eggs from my backyard chickens in Indiana?
Yes. Selling your own hens' eggs where they're laid needs no permit. A farmers' market stand takes a $20 State Egg Board permit, and selling to stores, restaurants or by delivery takes other permits. Small-flock line: no number: sell on your farm. The conditions, and the law they come from, are on this page.
Can I sell eggs at a farmers market in Indiana?
Needs a license or isn't exempt. A farmers' market retail permit from the State Egg Board, $20 a year (July 1 to June 30), for your own eggs sold directly to consumers at a recognized farmers' market (two or more farmers selling their own products on a regular basis). Reused cartons are allowed for these sales (370 IAC 1-3-3.1(b)); eggs must still be graded, labeled and held at 45°F or below. State law bars cities and counties from adding their own licensing or inspection for these sellers (IC 16-42-11-9.5(b)).
Can I reuse egg cartons in Indiana?
With conditions. The rule reads: "All eggs offered for sale at retail shall be packaged in new consumer containers. … Farmers market retail sales directly to the end consumer will be exempt from the requirement to utilize new consumer containers."
What has to be on the carton label in Indiana?
packer identification (name and address of packer, or an egg license number), grade (AA, A or B) and size, date the eggs were packed, expiration date (EXP, Sell By, Best By or Use By), refrigeration statement, safe handling instructions, boxed, heading in bold capitals. The rule reads: "All egg cartons containing eggs offered for sale must include the following: … Name and address of packer. … Grade and size … Date the eggs were packaged … Expiration date" The federal safe handling statement applies as well; our carton label maker prints all of it.
Do eggs I sell in Indiana have to be refrigerated?
Yes, at 45°F or colder. The rule reads: "provide adequate space and storage facilities to hold shell eggs at an ambient temperature of forty-five (45) degrees Fahrenheit or below."
Sources
Read the 23 passages this page is built on
  • “Farmers and other bona fide egg producers who sell and deliver, on the premises where produced, eggs produced by their own flocks on their own premises are exempt from this chapter.”

    IC 16-42-11-1.1 · read 2026-10-06

  • “A farmer or bona fide egg producer who markets directly to the consumer at a location that is not the farmer's or producer's own premises and is recognized as a farmers' market may be required to have a farmers' market retail permit issued by the state egg board.”

    IC 16-42-11-1.1 · read 2026-10-06

  • “a local unit of government (as defined in IC 14-22-31.5-1) may not by ordinance or resolution require any licensure, certification, or inspection of foods or food products of a farmer or bona fide egg producer acting under this section.”

    IC 16-42-11-1.1 · read 2026-10-06

  • “"Farmers' market" means a common facility where two (2) or more farmers or growers gather on a regular basis to sell farm products, which they produce, directly to the consumer.”

    IC 16-42-11-1.1 · read 2026-10-06

  • “"Wholesaler" means any person engaged in buying eggs for human consumption for resale to retailers, … or producers who sell or deliver eggs to retailers, hotels, restaurants, hospitals, nursing homes, schools, or state or federal institutions.”

    IC 16-42-11-1.1 · read 2026-10-06

  • “A person may not sell, offer for sale, or advertise for sale at retail or wholesale eggs that do not meet the standards of quality and weight set forth by the state egg board.”

    IC 16-42-11-1.1 · read 2026-10-06

  • “A person who violates this chapter commits a Class C infraction.”

    IC 16-42-11-1.1 · read 2026-10-06

  • “As added by P.L.28-2009, SEC.9. Amended by P.L.154-2014, SEC.2; P.L.11-2023, SEC.61. … As added by P.L.41-2021, SEC.7. Amended by P.L.93-2024, SEC.137.”

    IC 16-42-11-1.1 · read 2026-10-06

  • “No license is required if you sell only from the location where eggs are produced – consumers must pick up from that same location where chickens are located.”

    Indiana State Egg Board (administered through Purdue University) · read 2026-10-06

  • “online/delivery: utilizing an online platform to sell eggs with delivery to the end consumer requires a retail permit.”

    Indiana State Egg Board (administered through Purdue University) · read 2026-10-06

  • “At this time, we regulate the sale of chicken eggs Only.”

    Indiana State Egg Board (administered through Purdue University) · read 2026-10-06

  • “Farmers Market Retail Permit Cost: $20 This permit is only for a farmer or bona fide egg producer who markets directly to the consumer at a location that is not the farmer's or producer's own premises and is recognized as a farmers market. The eggs must be your own production.”

    Indiana State Egg Board (administered through Purdue University) · read 2026-10-06

  • “Farmers Market Retail/Wholesale Combination Permit Cost: $50 The combination permit allows for selling eggs at a farmers’ market (as defined in and allows sales as a wholesaler at a level of fewer than 5 cases (150 dozen) per week and the eggs must be your own production.”

    Indiana State Egg Board (administered through Purdue University) · read 2026-10-06

  • “Less than 5 cases per week - $50 per year (no deposit required, semi-annual volume report required)”

    Indiana State Egg Board (administered through Purdue University) · read 2026-10-06

  • “All permits are issued on an annual basis, July 1 – June 30.”

    Indiana State Egg Board (administered through Purdue University) · read 2026-10-06

  • “All egg cartons containing eggs offered for sale must include the following: … Name and address of packer. … Grade and size - (Grades include AA, A or B; Size includes Jumbo, Extra Large, Large, Medium, Small, or Pee Wee) Date the eggs were packaged … Expiration date”

    Indiana State Egg Board (administered through Purdue University) · read 2026-10-06

  • “(a) All eggs offered for sale at retail shall be packaged in new consumer containers. (b) Farmers market retail sales directly to the end consumer will be exempt from the requirement to utilize new consumer containers.”

    370 IAC 1-2-1 to 1-2-3 · read 2026-10-06

  • “Every registered person, partnership, firm, or corporation permitted to handle or sell eggs under the provisions of IC 16-42-11 shall, upon delivery, provide adequate space and storage facilities to hold shell eggs at an ambient temperature of forty-five (45) degrees Fahrenheit or below.”

    370 IAC 1-2-1 to 1-2-3 · read 2026-10-06

  • “All packages, of whatever kind, in which eggs are offered for sale by registrants under this article shall be marked as: (1) Grade AA; (2) Grade A; or (3) Grade B.”

    370 IAC 1-2-1 to 1-2-3 · read 2026-10-06

  • “shall be legibly dated (month and day or consecutive day of the year) the day the eggs were packed; and (2) shall bear in distinctly legible form an expiration date”

    370 IAC 1-2-1 to 1-2-3 · read 2026-10-06

  • “All eggs offered for sale in cases, boxes, or cartons shall contain labeling that indicates refrigeration is required. Additionally, all cartons of shell eggs shall bear the statement, "SAFE HANDLING INSTRUCTIONS: To prevent illness from bacteria: Keep eggs refrigerated, cook eggs until yolks are firm, and cook foods containing eggs thoroughly.".”

    370 IAC 1-2-1 to 1-2-3 · read 2026-10-06

  • “Should a farmers market retailer choose to distribute fewer than five (5) cases of eggs per week of their own production to retailers, hotels, restaurants, hospitals, nursing homes, schools, or state or federal institutions, the following combination permit will be available:”

    370 IAC 1-2-1 to 1-2-3 · read 2026-10-06

  • “readopted filed Nov 5, 2025, 4:13 p.m.: 20251119-IR-370240504RFA”

    370 IAC 1-2-1 to 1-2-3 · read 2026-10-06

What we couldn't confirm
  • 370 IAC 1 is published only through the Indiana Register's JavaScript site; its data API returned HTTP 403 to curl on 2026-10-06. The rule text was read in a browser and the quotes are listed in indiana.blocked.json for hand checking.
  • What P.L.11-2023 and P.L.93-2024 changed in IC 16-42-11-1.1, -5.5 and -9.5 was not reviewed; dates are year only because effective dates were not confirmed. The Indiana Code 2026 edition shows no 2025 or 2026 amendment to the chapter; no 2024-2026 egg bill was found in a web search, but the iga.in.gov bill search (JavaScript) was not used.
  • IC 16-42-11-9.5 says a farmers' market seller 'may be required' to hold a permit; the requirement comes from the Egg Board's rule and fee schedule (370 IAC 1-12-2) and its licensing page, not from the statute itself.
  • A roadside stand or farm stand away from the premises where the eggs are produced is not addressed directly; under the definitions it would be a retail sale needing a retail permit ($30 under 5 cases a week). Not confirmed with the Egg Board.
  • Whether farmers' market permit holders must candle and grade their own eggs is implied by 370 IAC 1-6-1 and the labeling page (grade and size required) but no small-producer guidance on how to grade was found.
  • Egg Board pages are hosted on ag.purdue.edu because IC 16-42-11-12 and -13 place the board's staff and funds at Purdue; the host needs adding to officialHosts.
  • FDA's Egg Safety Rule (21 CFR 118, flocks of 3,000 or more hens) was not checked.

Selling across the state line?

The rules change at the border. Here's where Indiana's neighbors draw the line.

ALAKAZARCACOCTDEFLGAHIIDILINIAKSKYLAMEMDMAMIMNMSMOMTNENVNHNJNMNYNCNDOHOKORPARISCSDTNTXUTVTVAWAWVWIWY
No license for small salesDepends how you sellRegistration or licenseNot stated or rechecking

Every state, one map

Colored by the small-flock license rule. Tap a state to read it, or compare them all side by side.

Compare every state →

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