State rules

Can you sell backyard eggs in Virginia?

Yes. Selling 150 dozen eggs or less a week from your own hens exempts you from Virginia's egg law; VDACS lets you sell at home, at markets and to stores. Keep eggs at 45°F or colder in labeled cartons.

Read from 12 official sources33 passages quotedChecked October 7, 2026

At a glance

License

Not needed

Small-flock line

150 dozen a week or less

Farmers markets

With conditions

Cartons

Reuse allowed

In plain English

Virginia's line is weekly sales, not flock size. A producer selling 150 dozen eggs or less a week from its own hens (or up to 60 dozen a week bought from other producers) is exempt from the Virginia egg law, provided the eggs are edible and of the quality represented. There is no license or registration. VDACS says exempt producers may sell from home or at a farmers' market, and that their eggs count as an approved source for stores and restaurants. VDACS's Food Safety Program still applies its own rules to all shell eggs: clean, unbroken eggs kept at 45°F or lower, clean new or used cartons with old USDA marks covered, and a label with your name and address, the count, 'Eggs', a grade or 'Ungraded', a keep-refrigerated statement and the safe handling instructions. Only eggs graded to Grade A may be called 'fresh'. Selling more than 150 dozen a week puts you under the egg law's grading, marking and invoice rules.

A sourced reading of Virginia's rules, not legal advice. Rules change; confirm with Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (VDACS) (804-786-3520) before you sell.

Do you need a license?

No license or registration for small direct sales150 dozen a week or less
  • Sell a total of 150 dozen eggs or less per week produced by your own hens.Va. Code § 3.2-5305
  • Eggs bought from other producers may not exceed 60 dozen per week.Va. Code § 3.2-5305
  • All eggs must be of edible quality and of the quality as represented.Va. Code § 3.2-5305
  • Eggs clean and unbroken, free of adhering dirt or manure.VDACS Handbook for Small Food Manufacturers
  • Keep eggs refrigerated at 45°F or lower.VDACS Handbook for Small Food Manufacturers
  • Use a clean, sanitary carton, new or used, with any USDA seal marked out.VDACS Handbook for Small Food Manufacturers
  • Label each carton with the producer's name and address, net contents, 'Eggs', a consumer grade (AA, A, B or Ungraded), a keep-refrigerated statement and the safe handling instructions.VDACS Handbook for Small Food Manufacturers
  • Call eggs 'fresh' only if they are graded and meet Grade A; ungraded eggs may not use the word.Va. Code § 3.2-5303; VDACS Handbook
  • Eggs sold to a food establishment must arrive in refrigerated equipment at 45°F or below, clean and sound, within Grade B restricted-egg tolerances, and labeled.VDACS Safe Egg Handling for Small Egg Laying Flocks, 2015
The exact wording
“Producers selling a total of 150 dozen eggs or less per week produced by their own hens, or eggs purchased from other producers not to exceed 60 dozen per week are exempt from this law provided all eggs are of edible quality and of the quality as represented.”

Where you can sell

From home or the farm

With conditions

No license under 150 dozen a week. VDACS says exempt producers may sell directly to consumers from a home location; eggs must still be clean, kept at 45°F or lower, and in labeled cartons.

Farmers markets

With conditions

VDACS names the farmers' market as a place exempt producers may sell. Same carton, label and 45°F rules; VDACS's small-flock guide suggests a small refrigerator or plug-in cooler with a thermometer at the market.

Stores and restaurants

With conditions

VDACS treats eggs produced under the exemption as coming from an approved source that 'can be sold in retail stores and restaurants'. Deliver at 45°F or below, clean and sound and labeled. Cracked eggs may not go to institutional consumers (§ 3.2-5302(B)). The egg law's invoice rule (§ 3.2-5307) applies to sellers under the law; whether exempt producers must give invoices is not stated.

Also check with: Your local health district, Virginia Department of Health (restaurant buyers)

Cartons, labels and handling

Cartons

Reused cartons are allowed.

“The carton (new or used) to store the eggs shall be clean and sanitary. If cartons showing a USDA seal are used, then that seal must be marked out.”

Refrigeration

45°F or colder where the rule applies.

“Eggs must be refrigerated at a temperature of 45 degrees Fahrenheit or lower.”

The label must show

  • Producer or packer name and address
  • Net contents (one dozen or half dozen)
  • "Eggs"
  • Consumer grade AA, A or B, or "Ungraded"
  • Keep-refrigerated statement
  • Safe handling instructions

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

Grading

Ungraded eggs may be sold under the small-producer rules.

“If you do not want to grade your eggs than your label must state that egg is not graded (“Ungraded”) and you are not allowed to use the word FRESH on your label.”

Washing

No washing requirement in the statute or regulation. VDACS's small-flock guide (2015) advises washing soon after collection in water at least 90°F, never soaking eggs, and cooling and drying them quickly; eggs sold must be clean, with no adhering dirt or manure.

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

Common questions

Do I need a license to sell eggs from my backyard chickens in Virginia?
Yes. Selling 150 dozen eggs or less a week from your own hens exempts you from Virginia's egg law; VDACS lets you sell at home, at markets and to stores. Keep eggs at 45°F or colder in labeled cartons. Small-flock line: 150 dozen a week or less. The conditions, and the law they come from, are on this page.
Can I sell eggs at a farmers market in Virginia?
Allowed with conditions. VDACS names the farmers' market as a place exempt producers may sell. Same carton, label and 45°F rules; VDACS's small-flock guide suggests a small refrigerator or plug-in cooler with a thermometer at the market. Also check with your local health district, Virginia Department of Health (restaurant buyers).
Can I reuse egg cartons in Virginia?
Yes. The rule reads: "The carton (new or used) to store the eggs shall be clean and sanitary. If cartons showing a USDA seal are used, then that seal must be marked out."
What has to be on the carton label in Virginia?
Producer or packer name and address, Net contents (one dozen or half dozen), "Eggs", Consumer grade AA, A or B, or "Ungraded", Keep-refrigerated statement, Safe handling instructions. The rule reads: "Each carton must be properly labeled to include the following: … Name and address of the producer or packer. … The net contents of the package (one dozen or half dozen) . … The statement of identity: Eggs. … Appropriate consumer grade: AA, A, B or Ungraded." The federal safe handling statement applies as well; our carton label maker prints all of it.
Do eggs I sell in Virginia have to be refrigerated?
Yes, at 45°F or colder. The rule reads: "Eggs must be refrigerated at a temperature of 45 degrees Fahrenheit or lower."
Sources
Read the 33 passages this page is built on
  • “Producers selling a total of 150 dozen eggs or less per week produced by their own hens, or eggs purchased from other producers not to exceed 60 dozen per week are exempt from this law provided all eggs are of edible quality and of the quality as represented.”

    Va. Code § 3.2-5305 · read 2026-10-07

  • “This chapter shall apply to the marketing of eggs to consumers, institutional consumers, and retailers.”

    law.lis.virginia.gov · read 2026-10-07

  • “"Eggs" mean eggs in the shell that are the product of domesticated chickens. … "Institutional consumer" means a restaurant, hotel, boardinghouse, or any other business, facility, or place in which eggs are prepared or offered as food to patrons, residents, inmates, or patients.”

    law.lis.virginia.gov · read 2026-10-07

  • “all eggs sold or offered for sale except those exempted in § 3.2-5305 shall be marked according to the grades, sizes, quality, ungraded or cracked and other required terms adopted by the Commissioner”

    Va. Code § 3.2-5306 · read 2026-10-07

  • “The term "fresh eggs," or any legend, symbol, picture, representation or device declaring or tending to convey the impression that the eggs are fresh may be applied only to eggs meeting the requirements of grade A quality or better as established by the Board for fresh eggs.”

    Va. Code § 3.2-5303 · read 2026-10-07

  • “No label, container, display, or advertisement of eggs shall contain incorrect, fraudulent, or misleading representations.”

    law.lis.virginia.gov · read 2026-10-07

  • “Cracked or checked eggs labeled as "cracks" may be sold only by producers or processors directly to consumers or for further processing, excluding institutional consumers.”

    law.lis.virginia.gov · read 2026-10-07

  • “Any person selling or delivering eggs to restaurants, hotels, retail stores, bakeries or other institution purchasing eggs for serving to guests, patrons, employees or inmates shall furnish the purchaser with an invoice showing the name and address of the seller and the quantity, grade, and size of such eggs.”

    Va. Code § 3.2-5307 · read 2026-10-07

  • “any container, including the packaging material therein or associated therewith, shall be clean and free from foreign odor.”

    law.lis.virginia.gov · read 2026-10-07

  • “Code 1950, § 3-600; 1956, c. 284; 1966, c. 702, § 3.1-765; 1968, c. 142; 2008, c. 860”

    Va. Code § 3.2-5305 · read 2026-10-07

  • “All egg cases or retail containers in which eggs are kept for the purpose of sale, or offered or exposed for sale (except those exempt in § 3.2-5305), shall be marked according to one of the grades and sizes, or marked ungraded.”

    2VAC5-570 · read 2026-10-07

  • “Eggs offered for sale as ungraded shall meet the specifications of USDA Consumer Grade B quality”

    2VAC5-570 · read 2026-10-07

  • “Eggs described as loss, inedible or leakers within the meaning of "Regulations Governing the Grading of Shell Eggs and United States Standards, Grades and Weight Classes for Shell Eggs (7 CFR Part 56)," § 56.212 (a), (b) and (c) of the Code of Federal Regulations shall not be sold or offered for sale for human consumption.”

    2VAC5-570 · read 2026-10-07

  • “Individuals selling fewer than 150 dozen eggs per week, or purchasing fewer than 60 dozen per week from another producer to sell, may sell and market eggs directly to consumers either from a home location or at a farmers' market.”

    Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (VDACS) · read 2026-10-07

  • “Eggs produced under the exemption, including the production quantity limits, good sanitation, labeling and grade standards, are to be considered as coming from an approved source and can be sold in retail stores and restaurants.”

    Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (VDACS) · read 2026-10-07

  • “VDACS Food Safety administers and enforces law(s) and regulations(s) pertaining to the sale of eggs that are exempt from the Virginia Egg law.”

    Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (VDACS) · read 2026-10-07

  • “All Shell Eggs sold in Virginia are subject to the following requirements: … Eggs must be clean and unbroken, free of any adhering dirt or manure. … Eggs must be refrigerated at a temperature of 45 degrees Fahrenheit or lower.”

    Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (VDACS) · read 2026-10-07

  • “The carton (new or used) to store the eggs shall be clean and sanitary. If cartons showing a USDA seal are used, then that seal must be marked out.”

    Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (VDACS) · read 2026-10-07

  • “Each carton must be properly labeled to include the following: … Name and address of the producer or packer. … The net contents of the package (one dozen or half dozen) . … The statement of identity: Eggs. … Appropriate consumer grade: AA, A, B or Ungraded.”

    Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (VDACS) · read 2026-10-07

  • “Statement instructing consumer to keep the eggs refrigerated. … “Safe Handling Instructions: to prevent illness from bacteria, keep eggs refrigerated, cook eggs until yolks are firm and cook food containing eggs thoroughly.””

    Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (VDACS) · read 2026-10-07

  • “If you would like to label your eggs as FRESH then it is a requirement that your eggs be graded and that the eggs meet all “Grade A” standards.”

    Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (VDACS) · read 2026-10-07

  • “If you do not want to grade your eggs than your label must state that egg is not graded (“Ungraded”) and you are not allowed to use the word FRESH on your label.”

    Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (VDACS) · read 2026-10-07

  • “Egg producers may candle their own eggs to determine the grade.”

    Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (VDACS) · read 2026-10-07

  • “Producers who wish to use terms such as “US Grade "A”, or use the USDA Grade Mark must have their eggs graded by a licensed USDA/AMS grader.”

    Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (VDACS) · read 2026-10-07

  • “Handlers that grade and pack their own eggs from 3,000 layers or more.”

    Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (VDACS) · read 2026-10-07

  • “The Virginia Egg Law is also available in hard copy by contacting the VDACS Food Safety Program at 804.786.3520.”

    Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (VDACS) · read 2026-10-07

  • “If the eggs are delivered to or sold to someone who is not the end consumer, such as a food establishment, they must be received at the establishment in refrigerated equipment that maintains an ambient air temperature of 45° F degrees or below.”

    Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (VDACS) · read 2026-10-07

  • “The eggs must be clean and sound and not exceed the restricted egg tolerances for the U.S. consumer Grade B”

    Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (VDACS) · read 2026-10-07

  • “It is acceptable to recycle cartons if the cartons are clean and in good condition and if all labeling information that does not apply is removed. Egg cartons must be free from inspection or labeling marks from previous use.”

    Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (VDACS) · read 2026-10-07

  • “Wash eggs with water that is at least 90°F. … Never let eggs soak in water.”

    Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (VDACS) · read 2026-10-07

  • “If the eggs are to be sold at a farmers market or roadside stand, use mechanical refrigeration, such as a small refrigerator or plug-in cooler, if possible.”

    Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (VDACS) · read 2026-10-07

  • “GRADING EGGS MAY BE DONE BY THE PRODUCER One does not need to be a USDA grader to grade eggs!”

    Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (VDACS) · read 2026-10-07

  • “VDACS Food Safety Program/ March 2015”

    Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (VDACS) · read 2026-10-07

What we couldn't confirm
  • Boundary wording differs: the statute exempts producers selling '150 dozen eggs or less per week'; the VDACS handbook says 'fewer than 150 dozen'. This record follows the statute (150 dozen is still exempt).
  • The statute exempts small producers 'from this law' and 2VAC5-570-70 exempts them from its container-marking rule, yet VDACS says 'All Shell Eggs sold in Virginia' must be refrigerated at 45°F and labeled with a grade or 'Ungraded'. VDACS does not cite the authority for this (presumably the Virginia food laws, ch. 51); this record reports VDACS's rules as conditions.
  • The VDACS sources are a handbook PDF dated April 2018 and a small-flock guide dated March 2015; no current VDACS web page on small-producer egg sales was found (several guessed URLs returned 404).
  • The lead that Va. Code § 3.2-5130 holds a farm exemption for eggs is wrong: that section's private-home exemptions cover cottage foods and honey, not eggs (amended 2024 c. 131 and 2026 c. 605, cottage food sales by phone and internet).
  • Chapter 53's section histories end at 2008, c. 860, and the Code site (dated 10/7/2026) shows no pending changes. No 2024–2026 bill amending the egg law was found by web search; the LIS bill search (a script-driven app) was not queried directly.
  • Whether exempt producers must give restaurants and stores the invoice required by § 3.2-5307 is not stated.
  • Local health department rules for farmers' market vendors and restaurant buyers were not checked.

Selling across the state line?

The rules change at the border. Here's where Virginia'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 →

Legal in your state? Then keep the books.

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