Hair salon licenses
in San Diego, California
Start with the main licenses and permits below. For a checklist based on your own business, tell us what you’re opening and how it will operate.
Researched Sep 2026
About this example
The business is a hair salon located in San Diego, California, operating from a commercial location and serving customers in person. It will have W-2 employees and sell tangible goods, specifically retail hair-care products, while not preparing or serving food or selling alcohol.
Requirement labels below refer to this setup. Conditional items depend on additional details.
Authorities researched
Details to confirm before you apply
- What is the chosen business entity type (LLC, corporation, etc.)?
- Will the salon's location require a tenant improvement building permit?
- What is the specific fire inspection schedule for the salon?
- Does the salon's waste stream trigger the county hazardous waste permit?
- What is the exact fee for the cosmetologist individual licenses?
- Are there any Business Improvement District assessments applicable to the salon's location?
- Confirm with the responsible agencies whether additional requirements apply in these areas: Federal employer obligations; State unemployment insurance employer account; Workers' compensation coverage; New-hire reporting; State wage withholding account; Business personal-property filing or exemption. These areas remain unresolved in this guide.
The main licenses and permits
6 of 14- 01Establishment License (cosmetology salon)California Board of Barbering and Cosmetology · California
California law requires an establishment license for any one location engaged in cosmetology services such as hair cutting, styling, and chemical services.
RequiredBiennial - 02Individual cosmetologist licenses for practitionersCalifornia Board of Barbering and Cosmetology · California
Every person performing cosmetology services in the salon must hold a valid California cosmetologist license.
RequiredPer Board schedule for individual licenses. - 03City of San Diego Business Tax CertificateCity of San Diego Office of the City Treasurer (Business Tax Program) · San Diego
All businesses operating in the City of San Diego are required to register for a Business Tax Certificate.
RequiredAnnual - 04Zoning verification / self-certification for business locationCity of San Diego Development Services Department · San Diego
Business Tax Certificate applicants must self-certify that a hair salon is permitted in the zone of the leased property.
RequiredNot applicable - 05California Seller's Permit (sales and use tax registration)California Department of Tax and Fee Administration (CDTFA) · California
The salon sells retail products that are tangible personal property ordinarily subject to California sales tax, so it must hold a seller's permit to collect and remit sales tax.
RequiredNo renewal; the permit is valid while the business is actively engaged in selling. - 06Employer Identification Number (EIN)Internal Revenue Service (IRS) · Federal
The salon will hire W-2 employees; the IRS requires an EIN to hire employees and pay employment taxes.
RequiredNone (one-time)
This example includes 8 other potential requirements. A report based on your business explains which apply, how to file, published fees and timing, and what to complete first.
Make the checklist yours
Your location, activities, and business structure can change the list. Get a free preview for your business, then decide whether to unlock the full report for $49.
Questions people ask
What city business licenses or registrations should a hair salon in San Diego check?
Our research identifies City of San Diego Business Tax Certificate, issued by City of San Diego Office of the City Treasurer (Business Tax Program), as required. All businesses operating in the City of San Diego are required to register for a Business Tax Certificate. Check the other city permits in this guide and confirm the requirements for your premises and activities.
How much do licenses and permits cost for a hair salon in San Diego?
About $138 in published fixed fees, plus variable fees. Several items have fees that depend on your entity type, square footage, or payroll, so the full report lists each fee as the agency publishes it.
What should I do first?
Review Employer Identification Number (EIN) (Internal Revenue Service (IRS)), then Business entity registration with California Secretary of State (if applicable) (California Secretary of State, Business Programs Division), then Employer registration with EDD (payroll taxes) (California Employment Development Department (EDD)). Confirm each item's applicability and prerequisites before applying; the report provides a suggested order for the full checklist.
Is this legal advice?
No. It is a research summary of public requirements published by government agencies, each linked to its official page. Confirm with the issuing agency before filing.
Related guides
Researched from official government sources on September 2, 2026 for a typical hair salon. Requirements change and depend on your facts; this page is not legal advice. Confirm with the issuing agency before filing.