Washington raw milk reference

Raw milk laws in Washington.

Retail legal with licensing in Washington. State Milk Producer and Processing Plant licenses required. Bacteria counts follow the federal ordinance. Animal-feed milk must be colored.

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Last reviewed: 2026-05-08. Source: Farm-to-Consumer Legal Defense Fund. Verify with the Washington Department of Agriculture before buying or selling.
Tier
Retail legal
Retail legal
Yes
On-farm legal
Yes
Herd share legal
Yes
Pet food allowed
Yes (separate licensing)

What Washington actually allows

State Milk Producer and Processing Plant licenses required. Bacteria counts follow the federal ordinance. Animal-feed milk must be colored.

Legal channels for Washington raw milk buyers: retail in licensed grocery stores, on-farm pickup, herd shares or cow shares.

Find a working dairy in Washington

Live directory, filtered to raw milk in your area.

Find raw milk in Washington

How to actually buy raw milk in Washington

Because retail sales are legal, you may be able to find raw milk on the shelf at health food stores, co-ops, and some independent groceries. Look for an "unpasteurized" label and a state license. Open the live directory of Washington dairies to see which licensed producers serve your area, since many also offer farm pickup at a lower price.

Other retail legal states

Frequently asked questions

Is raw milk legal in Washington?

Retail legal with licensing in Washington. State Milk Producer and Processing Plant licenses required. Bacteria counts follow the federal ordinance. Animal-feed milk must be colored.

Where can I buy raw milk in Washington?

In Washington the legal channels are: retail in licensed grocery stores, on-farm pickup, herd shares or cow shares. Use the farm-to-door directory filtered to Washington to find working dairies near you.

Are herd shares legal in Washington?

Yes. Herd shares are recognized in Washington. The buyer purchases an ownership interest in the herd, then pays a monthly boarding fee for the milk they receive.

Can I bring raw milk into Washington from another state?

Federal law prohibits selling raw milk across state lines for human consumption, but does not prohibit possession or personal consumption. You may legally bring raw milk you bought in a legal state into Washington for your own use. You may not legally resell it.