Hair salon licenses
in Columbus, Ohio
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 Columbus, Ohio, within Franklin County. It will have W-2 employees, sell tangible goods, and is subject to both state and local licensing requirements.
Requirement labels below refer to this setup. Conditional items depend on additional details.
Authorities researched
Details to confirm before you apply
- What is the exact fee for the Columbus city zoning clearance and Certificate of Occupancy?
- Is there a specific renewal cycle for the county Vendor's License?
- Does the salon need a full change-of-occupancy permit or a lesser alteration permit?
- What are the specific requirements for the salon manager license?
- Are there any additional local permits required for signage?
- Is the salon occupancy on the Columbus Fire Prevention Bureau's annual inspection list?
- 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; Individual salon practitioner licensing; City business license or tax registration; Business personal-property filing or exemption. These areas remain unresolved in this guide.
The main licenses and permits
6 of 11- 01Ohio Cosmetology Salon LicenseOhio State Cosmetology and Barber Board · Ohio
Ohio law requires businesses offering cosmetology services to be licensed by the State Cosmetology and Barber Board.
RequiredBiennial (renewed by January 31 of each odd-numbered year) - 02Commercial Zoning ClearanceCity of Columbus Department of Building and Zoning Services · Columbus
Establishing a hair salon is a new use of a commercial building/land, and zoning clearance is required before establishment or change of use of any building.
RequiredOne-time per use/establishment - 03Certificate of Occupancy (Change of Occupancy)City of Columbus Department of Building and Zoning Services · Columbus
A hair salon opening in a commercial space establishes a new occupancy/use, and a Certificate of Occupancy is the final document required to legally occupy the structure.
RequiredOne-time; conditions of use must be maintained - 04Ohio Secretary of State Business RegistrationOhio Secretary of State · Ohio
A new business entity operating in Ohio must be registered with the Ohio Secretary of State.
RequiredBiennial report for most entity types - 05Ohio Sales and Use Tax RegistrationOhio Department of Taxation · Ohio
The salon sells tangible goods (retail products) to customers, which are taxable sales in Ohio.
RequiredOngoing; returns filed monthly, quarterly, or annually depending on volume - 06County Vendor's License (Sales Tax Account)Franklin County Auditor's Office · County
The salon sells tangible goods (retail products) to customers, and Ohio requires every business making taxable retail sales in Franklin County to hold a Vendor's License.
RequiredNot published on the official pages reviewed; verify with the auditor's office
This example includes 5 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
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Questions people ask
What city business licenses or registrations should a hair salon in Columbus check?
This guide does not establish whether Columbus requires a stand-alone general business license or registration. Confirm that question with the city, in addition to reviewing the industry permits and registrations below.
How much do licenses and permits cost for a hair salon in Columbus?
About $50 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 Ohio Secretary of State Business Registration (Ohio Secretary of State), then Employer Identification Number (EIN) (Internal Revenue Service (IRS)), then Ohio Employer Withholding (Income Tax) Registration (Ohio Department of Taxation). 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.