State rules

Can you sell backyard eggs in Oregon?

Yes. Selling your own eggs directly to individual consumers, at the farm, a farmers' market or on a delivery route, needs no Oregon license. Selling to stores or restaurants needs a $30 egg handler license.

Read from 7 official sources31 passages quotedChecked October 7, 2026

At a glance

License

Depends how you sell

Small-flock line

No number: direct to consumers

Farmers markets

With conditions

Cartons

Reuse with conditions

In plain English

Oregon has no flock-size line for egg sales. A producer who sells and delivers eggs of their own production directly to an individual consumer needs no egg handler's license, and Oregon's farm direct marketing law also frees producers selling shell eggs they raised straight to the retail purchaser from food establishment licensing. ODA spells out what counts as direct: from the farm, at a farmers' market, or on a route off the farm to individuals for home consumption. No per-dozen egg fee or invoice applies to those sales. The eggs still have rules: they must be candled, and may then be labeled 'ungraded' with a count of eggs instead of a grade and size; the carton's main panel must say THIS PRODUCT IS NOT PREPARED IN AN INSPECTED FOOD ESTABLISHMENT and NOT FOR RESALE; packaged products carry the producer's name and address; and you may not reuse a carton bearing another egg handler's brand unless you remove or deface it. Selling to grocery stores, restaurants, food processors or distributors takes an egg handler's license ($30 a year, July 1 to June 30) with an inspection, graded and labeled eggs, a permit number on cartons and the egg fee.

A sourced reading of Oregon's rules, not legal advice. Rules change; confirm with Oregon Department of Agriculture (ODA) ((503) 986-4720) before you sell.

Do you need a license?

Depends on how and how much you sellNo number: direct to consumers
  • Sell eggs of your own production.ORS 632.715(1)(a); ORS 616.680(5)
  • Sell and deliver them directly to an individual consumer: ODA lists the farm, a farmers' market, or a route off the farm to individuals for home consumption.ORS 632.715(1)(a); ODA Shell Egg Producer Rules, 5-16-22
  • Eggs must be candled; you may label them 'ungraded' instead of a grade and size, with a net content statement giving the number of eggs.ORS 632.771(5)-(6); OAR 603-022-0535
  • Carton main panel: 'THIS PRODUCT IS NOT PREPARED IN AN INSPECTED FOOD ESTABLISHMENT' and 'NOT FOR RESALE' in bold capitals at least one-eighth inch.OAR 603-025-0265(2)
  • Packaged farm direct products carry a product identity and the producer's complete physical address.OAR 603-025-0265(3); ODA Farm Direct Marketing, 07/2025
  • No reused cartons bearing another egg handler's brand, trademark or number unless removed or defaced.ORS 632.786(1)
  • Selling to retail establishments, food service establishments, food processors or distributors requires an egg handler's license, $30 a year.ODA Shell Egg Producer Rules; OAR 603-022-1000
The exact wording
“Unless the person holds a permit issued under ORS 632.730, a person may not sell or distribute within this state any eggs to consumers or to retailers without having first obtained an egg handler’s license from the State Department of Agriculture. The license is not required: (a) Of a producer selling and delivering eggs of the producer’s own production directly to an individual consumer;”

Where you can sell

From home or the farm

With conditions

No license, egg fee or invoice for your own eggs sold directly to individual consumers at the place of production. Eggs must be candled; label 'ungraded' (with the egg count) or with grade and size, plus the not-inspected and not-for-resale statements.

Farmers markets

With conditions

ODA names farmers' markets among direct sales that need no license, and the farm direct marketing rules exempt the space a farm direct marketer uses to sell shell eggs. Same labeling rules as on the farm. Market or local health rules were not checked.

Stores and restaurants

License needed

ODA requires an egg handler's license ($30 per fiscal year, July 1 to June 30) to sell to retail establishments, food service establishments, food processors or distributors. The license exemption covers only direct sales to an individual consumer, even though Oregon's egg law counts restaurants as consumers. Licensed handlers grade and label eggs (grade, size, name and address, permit number, pull date, safe handling statement), pay a per-dozen egg fee and give invoices.

Also check with: Oregon Department of Agriculture, Food Safety Program (egg handler license, 503-986-4720)

Cartons, labels and handling

Cartons

Reused cartons are allowed, with conditions.

“Sell eggs for human consumption in previously used consumer containers bearing the brand, trademark or officially designated number of another egg handler, unless the same is removed or defaced;”

Refrigeration

45°F or colder where the rule applies.

“a refrigerated space large enough to hold producer’s supply of eggs at a temperature of 45ºF or less.”

The label must show

  • "THIS PRODUCT IS NOT PREPARED IN AN INSPECTED FOOD ESTABLISHMENT"
  • "NOT FOR RESALE"
  • "Ungraded" (or grade and size) with the number of eggs
  • Product identity and the producer's physical address
  • Licensed handlers: grade, size, name and address, Oregon permit number, pull date, safe handling statement

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

Grading

Ungraded sales are allowed only in some cases.

A producer selling its own eggs directly to consumers (or on consignment under the farm direct law) may use the designation 'ungraded' instead of grade and size, but the eggs must be candled (ORS 632.771(5); OAR 603-022-0535). Eggs sold through licensed handlers are candled and graded to Oregon grades.

Washing

No washing rule for unlicensed direct sellers was found. For licensed egg handlers, eggs may be dry cleaned or washed; wash water must be at least 20°F warmer than the eggs, eggs may not be submerged, and wet-washed eggs get a sanitizing spray rinse (OAR 603-022-0525, -0530; ODA Shell Egg Producer Rules).

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

What changed recently

  1. 2026-07-01 · From July 1, 2026, ORS 632.720 bars ODA from setting an egg handler license fee higher than the fee for the license year that began July 1, 2025 (Oregon Laws 2012, ch. 64, § 43, made operative on that date by Oregon Laws 2025, ch. 440). The current fee is $30. Source
  2. 2023-11-29 · ODA amended its farm direct marketing rules (DOA 43-2023), including OAR 603-025-0235, which lists shell eggs, and 603-025-0265, which sets the 'NOT PREPARED IN AN INSPECTED FOOD ESTABLISHMENT' and 'NOT FOR RESALE' label. The same year Oregon Laws 2023, ch. 181 amended ORS 616.683, 632.715 and 632.771. Source

Common questions

Do I need a license to sell eggs from my backyard chickens in Oregon?
Yes. Selling your own eggs directly to individual consumers, at the farm, a farmers' market or on a delivery route, needs no Oregon license. Selling to stores or restaurants needs a $30 egg handler license. Small-flock line: no number: direct to consumers. The conditions, and the law they come from, are on this page.
Can I sell eggs at a farmers market in Oregon?
Allowed with conditions. ODA names farmers' markets among direct sales that need no license, and the farm direct marketing rules exempt the space a farm direct marketer uses to sell shell eggs. Same labeling rules as on the farm. Market or local health rules were not checked. Also check with Oregon Department of Agriculture, Food Safety Program (egg handler license, 503-986-4720).
Can I reuse egg cartons in Oregon?
With conditions. The rule reads: "Sell eggs for human consumption in previously used consumer containers bearing the brand, trademark or officially designated number of another egg handler, unless the same is removed or defaced;"
What has to be on the carton label in Oregon?
"THIS PRODUCT IS NOT PREPARED IN AN INSPECTED FOOD ESTABLISHMENT", "NOT FOR RESALE", "Ungraded" (or grade and size) with the number of eggs, Product identity and the producer's physical address, Licensed handlers: grade, size, name and address, Oregon permit number, pull date, safe handling statement. The rule reads: "The principal display panel of shell eggs that are sold directly to the consumer without a license, shall contain in a prominent location the following statement in legible, all capital, and bold-face type no less then one-eight inch: THIS PRODUCT IS NOT PREPARED IN AN INSPECTED FOOD ESTABLISHMENT. NOT FOR RESALE." The federal safe handling statement applies as well; our carton label maker prints all of it.
Do eggs I sell in Oregon have to be refrigerated?
Yes, at 45°F or colder. The rule reads: "a refrigerated space large enough to hold producer’s supply of eggs at a temperature of 45ºF or less."
Sources
Read the 31 passages this page is built on
  • “Unless the person holds a permit issued under ORS 632.730, a person may not sell or distribute within this state any eggs to consumers or to retailers without having first obtained an egg handler’s license from the State Department of Agriculture. The license is not required: (a) Of a producer selling and delivering eggs of the producer’s own production directly to an individual consumer;”

    ORS 632.715 · read 2026-10-07

  • ““Consumer” means any person who purchases eggs at retail or any restaurant, hotel, boarding house, bakery, or institution or concern that purchases eggs for serving to guests or patrons thereof, or for its own use in cooking or baking.”

    ORS 632.715 · read 2026-10-07

  • ““Eggs” or “shell eggs” means eggs in the shell from chickens, turkeys, ducks, geese or any other species of fowl.”

    ORS 632.715 · read 2026-10-07

  • “a producer may sell candled eggs using the designation “ungraded” instead of designating the size and grade or quality of the eggs if: (a) The producer: (A) Sells eggs of the producer’s own production directly to consumers; or”

    ORS 632.715 · read 2026-10-07

  • “The labeling must include a net content statement indicating the number of ungraded eggs; and”

    ORS 632.715 · read 2026-10-07

  • “Sell eggs for human consumption in previously used consumer containers bearing the brand, trademark or officially designated number of another egg handler, unless the same is removed or defaced;”

    ORS 632.715 · read 2026-10-07

  • “Eggs sold by a producer to consumers at the place of production.”

    ORS 632.715 · read 2026-10-07

  • “No invoice shall be required on eggs when sold to the United States Government or to an individual consumer.”

    ORS 632.715 · read 2026-10-07

  • “Sell any eggs as fresh eggs unless they are of the quality or grade prescribed for fresh eggs by the State Department of Agriculture or the federal Act;”

    ORS 632.715 · read 2026-10-07

  • “The department may not adopt or enforce a rule under this section establishing an egg handler license fee that is higher than the egg handler license fee charged for the license year that began July 1, 2025.”

    ORS 632.715 · read 2026-10-07

  • “The amendments to 632.720 by section 43, chapter 64, Oregon Laws 2012, become operative July 1, 2026. See section 45, chapter 64, Oregon Laws 2012, as amended by section 10, chapter 386, Oregon Laws 2019, and section 1, chapter 440, Oregon Laws 2025.”

    ORS 632.715 · read 2026-10-07

  • “2015 c.27 §56; 2017 c.88 §2; 2023 c.181 §5]”

    ORS 632.715 · read 2026-10-07

  • “A commercial farm owner or operator with annual egg production from a flock of not more than 3,000 egg-laying hens; or”

    ORS 632.715 · read 2026-10-07

  • ““Farm direct marketer” means an agricultural producer that sells directly to the retail purchaser the agricultural products grown, raised and harvested by that producer.”

    ORS 616.680 to 616.686 (farm direct marketing) · read 2026-10-07

  • “Subsection (1) of this section applies to farm direct marketer sales, and consignment sales, of the following types of agricultural products: … (f) Shell eggs.”

    ORS 616.680 to 616.686 (farm direct marketing) · read 2026-10-07

  • “EGG HANDLER’S LICENSE- costs $30.00 per fiscal year (July 1 - June 30).”

    ODA: Rules and Regulations for the Oregon Shell Egg Producer (5-16-22) · read 2026-10-07

  • “The producer is required to have an egg handler’s license if eggs are to be sold at: retail establishments, food service establishments, food processors, and or food distributors.”

    ODA: Rules and Regulations for the Oregon Shell Egg Producer (5-16-22) · read 2026-10-07

  • “A producer does NOT need a license if eggs are to be sold: 1. Directly to the consumer (from the farm, farmers market, on route off producer’s farm directly to individual for home consumption).”

    ODA: Rules and Regulations for the Oregon Shell Egg Producer (5-16-22) · read 2026-10-07

  • “Eggs sold by producer from producer’s own production to ultimate consumer. This is to include; sales to consumers that purchase eggs off producers farm, from producer at farmers market, and on route to individuals for home consumption.”

    ODA: Rules and Regulations for the Oregon Shell Egg Producer (5-16-22) · read 2026-10-07

  • “The principal display panel of shell eggs that are sold directly to the consumer without a license, shall contain in a prominent location the following statement in legible, all capital, and bold-face type no less then one-eight inch: THIS PRODUCT IS NOT PREPARED IN AN INSPECTED FOOD ESTABLISHMENT. NOT FOR RESALE.”

    ODA: Rules and Regulations for the Oregon Shell Egg Producer (5-16-22) · read 2026-10-07

  • “a refrigerated space large enough to hold producer’s supply of eggs at a temperature of 45ºF or less.”

    ODA: Rules and Regulations for the Oregon Shell Egg Producer (5-16-22) · read 2026-10-07

  • “No person shall sell eggs for human consumption in previously used consumer containers bearing the brand, trademark or officially designated number of another egg handler, unless the same is removed or defaced.”

    ODA: Rules and Regulations for the Oregon Shell Egg Producer (5-16-22) · read 2026-10-07

  • “The Oregon Farm Direct Marketing Rules adopted under OAR 603-025-0215 thru 603-025-0275, exempts farm direct marketers from ODA licensing that sell agricultural products that they grow. All sales must be directly to the end retail consumer.”

    ODA: Farm Direct Marketing, Agricultural Products (03/2018, updated 07/2025) · read 2026-10-07

  • “The following statements must be in a prominent location in legible, all capital, and bold-face type no less than one-eighth inch for shell eggs, grains, legumes, seeds, and honey”

    ODA: Farm Direct Marketing, Agricultural Products (03/2018, updated 07/2025) · read 2026-10-07

  • “All bottled, packaged, and canned products must be labeled with the following: • Product identity … • The complete physical address of the agricultural producer”

    ODA: Farm Direct Marketing, Agricultural Products (03/2018, updated 07/2025) · read 2026-10-07

  • “ORS 616.695 to 616.755 do not apply to a farm direct marketer, a consigning agricultural producer, or the location(s) used by a farm direct marketer or a consigning agricultural producer to prepare, store, sell, expose for sale or offer for sale the following agricultural products: … (d) Shell eggs;”

    secure.sos.state.or.us · read 2026-10-07

  • “DOA 43-2023, amend filed 11/29/2023, effective 11/29/2023”

    secure.sos.state.or.us · read 2026-10-07

  • “The principal display panel of agricultural products described under OAR 603-025-0235(1)(d) to (g) and (j) must contain in a prominent location the following statements in legible, all capital, and bold-face type no less than one-eighth inch:”

    OAR 603-025-0235 and 603-025-0265 (Farm Direct Marketer Exemption; labeling) · read 2026-10-07

  • “(1) Egg handler: $30”

    OAR 603-022 (Eggs), incl. 603-022-0400, -0535, -1000 · read 2026-10-07

  • “The room shall be so constructed and equipped so that a temperature not to exceed 45 degrees F. can be maintained.”

    OAR 603-022 (Eggs), incl. 603-022-0400, -0535, -1000 · read 2026-10-07

  • “Temperature of the wash water shall be at least 20°F higher than the temperature of the eggs being washed.”

    OAR 603-022 (Eggs), incl. 603-022-0400, -0535, -1000 · read 2026-10-07

What we couldn't confirm
  • Statute read in the Legislature's ORS 2025 Edition (chapters 632 and 616, oregonlegislature.gov). OAR text was read on the Secretary of State's OARD site in the browser pane; scripted downloads get an F5 bot-challenge page, so OAR quotes are in oregon.blocked.json.
  • Restaurants: ORS 632.705(5) counts restaurants, hotels and bakeries as 'consumers', but the license exemption in ORS 632.715(1)(a) reaches only sales 'directly to an individual consumer', and ODA says food service establishments need a licensed supplier. The record follows ODA: restaurant sales need the egg handler license.
  • Refrigeration: the 45°F figure is ODA's standard for the cold room of a licensed egg handler (OAR 603-022-0515; ODA summary). No temperature rule written for unlicensed farm direct egg sellers was found; ODA can revoke the farm direct exemption for sanitation failures under OAR 603-025-0020 and -0150 (not read).
  • ODA's Shell Egg Producer summary (dated 5-16-22, file re-posted April 2026) lists 'Ungraded to a dealer' as license-free, matching ORS 632.715(1)(b) (uncandled eggs to other than a consumer).
  • OAR 603-022-0400(4) and 603-022-0535(2)(a)(B) still cite consignment under 'ORS 616.683(3)(d)'; the 2025 ORS places shell eggs at 616.683(2)(f). Not a substantive conflict.
  • The content of Oregon Laws 2023, ch. 181 was not read beyond the ORS history notes; its effective date was not confirmed. No 2024-2026 bill changing the egg handler exemption was found (search was limited).
  • The safe handling statement is listed by ODA for all egg containers in its handler summary; whether ODA enforces it on farm direct sales was not stated.

Selling across the state line?

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

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

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