Raw Milk Laws by State — Complete 2026 Guide
Raw milk laws in the United States form a complex patchwork — each state sets its own rules for who can sell, how they can sell it, and where. Some states treat raw milk like any other food product; others ban it entirely. This guide compiles the current legal status for all 50 states as of .
50-State Raw Milk Law Comparison
| State | Legal Status | Farm Gate | Retail | Herdshare | Farmers Market |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | Legal (Farm Gate Only) | Yes | No | No | No |
| Alaska | Limited / Pet Milk Only | Yes | No | No | No |
| Arizona | Legal (Retail Sales) | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Arkansas | Legal (Farm Gate Only) | Yes | No | No | No |
| California | Legal (Retail Sales) | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Colorado | Herdshare Only | No | No | Yes | No |
| Connecticut | Legal (Retail Sales) | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Delaware | Prohibited | No | No | No | No |
| Florida | Limited / Pet Milk Only | Yes | No | No | No |
| Georgia | Legal (Farm Gate Only) | Yes | No | No | No |
| Hawaii | Prohibited | No | No | No | No |
| Idaho | Legal (Farm Gate Only) | Yes | No | Yes | No |
| Illinois | Legal (Farm Gate Only) | Yes | No | No | No |
| Indiana | Legal (Farm Gate Only) | Yes | No | Yes | No |
| Iowa | Prohibited | No | No | No | No |
| Kansas | Legal (Farm Gate Only) | Yes | No | No | No |
| Kentucky | Legal (Farm Gate Only) | Yes | No | No | No |
| Louisiana | Prohibited | No | No | No | No |
| Maine | Legal (Retail Sales) | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Maryland | Legal (Farm Gate Only) | Yes | No | No | No |
| Massachusetts | Legal (Farm Gate Only) | Yes | No | No | No |
| Michigan | Herdshare Only | No | No | Yes | No |
| Minnesota | Legal (Farm Gate Only) | Yes | No | No | No |
| Mississippi | Legal (Farm Gate Only) | Yes | No | No | No |
| Missouri | Legal (Farm Gate Only) | Yes | No | Yes | No |
| Montana | Prohibited | No | No | No | No |
| Nebraska | Legal (Farm Gate Only) | Yes | No | No | No |
| Nevada | Prohibited | No | No | No | No |
| New Hampshire | Legal (Retail Sales) | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| New Jersey | Prohibited | No | No | No | No |
| New Mexico | Legal (Retail Sales) | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| New York | Legal (Farm Gate Only) | Yes | No | No | No |
| North Carolina | Legal (Farm Gate Only) | Yes | No | No | No |
| North Dakota | Legal (Farm Gate Only) | Yes | No | No | No |
| Ohio | Legal (Farm Gate Only) | Yes | No | Yes | No |
| Oklahoma | Legal (Farm Gate Only) | Yes | No | No | No |
| Oregon | Legal (Farm Gate Only) | Yes | No | Yes | No |
| Pennsylvania | Legal (Retail Sales) | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Rhode Island | Prohibited | No | No | No | No |
| South Carolina | Legal (Retail Sales) | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| South Dakota | Legal (Farm Gate Only) | Yes | No | No | No |
| Tennessee | Legal (Farm Gate Only) | Yes | No | Yes | No |
| Texas | Legal (Farm Gate Only) | Yes | No | No | No |
| Utah | Legal (Retail Sales) | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Vermont | Legal (Farm Gate Only) | Yes | No | Yes | No |
| Virginia | Herdshare Only | No | No | Yes | No |
| Washington | Legal (Retail Sales) | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| West Virginia | Legal (Farm Gate Only) | Yes | No | No | No |
| Wisconsin | Prohibited | No | No | No | No |
| Wyoming | Legal (Farm Gate Only) | Yes | No | Yes | No |
Last updated: . Laws change — always verify with your state's department of agriculture before buying or selling.
Frequently Asked Questions
What states allow raw milk sales?
As of 2026, 10 states allow retail raw milk sales in stores. Many additional states allow farm-gate sales only. States like California, Pennsylvania, Arizona, Washington, and Maine have the most permissive laws. See the table above for the complete picture.
Is it legal to sell raw milk?
It depends on your state. It is never legal to ship raw milk across state lines for human consumption under federal law (21 CFR 1240.61). Within states, about 30 states permit some form of raw milk sales, while roughly 9 states prohibit it entirely. Penalties for selling raw milk illegally vary widely.
What is a herdshare?
A herdshare is a legal contract where a consumer purchases partial ownership of a dairy animal. The farmer boards and milks the animal, and the owner receives their share of the milk. Because the consumer is receiving milk from their own animal rather than buying it, herdshares are legal in some states where direct raw milk sales are otherwise prohibited. Learn more about herdshare programs →