Guide to opening a hair or nail salon

Nail salon owner standing at desk wearing a mask with nail salon in the background.

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This page will help you understand the steps to opening a hair or nail salon in San Francisco. It is a resource from the Office of Small Business, San Francisco's central point of information for small businesses.

Office of Small Business

“The Nail Room owner, Van Nguyen, at her storefront in the Richmond neighborhood.” by Big Mouth Productions

Choose a location

Find a location zoned for your business. Every location is zone differently - some could require a "Change of Use" or "Conditional Use" application, which can include a public hearing and neighborhood notification.
- Contact the Office of Small Business. Small Business Permit Specialists can help you understand the zoning requirements for your proposed location.
  - Email sfosb@sfgov.org
  - Call 628-652-4949
  - Schedule an in-person appointment at the Permit Center at 49 South Van Ness Ave
  - Notes:
    - Taking over a space that already was a salon can save times and construction costs, as long as the salon recently passed inspections and was in compliance with current requirements.
    - If you purchase an existing salon, ask the previous owner to fill out an Establishment Closure form. You will then submit your own establishment application. The establishment license is only valid for the location and owner(s) it was issued to.
      - Resource: barbercosmo.ca.gov
Review Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) guidelines to make sure your business is accessible. Learn more by visiting: https://sf.gov/information/ada-compliance-business
Review and sign your lease.
- Leases can be tricky, so review the lease carefully before signing. We strongly recommend getting guidance from the Office of Small Business before you sign anything. If you need legal assistance, contact:
  - Bar Association of San Francisco's Lawyer Referral and Information Service at 415-989-1616
  - Legal Services for Entrepreneurs at 415-543-9444 x217
  - Note: Your landlord is required to provide information about the accessibility of the building, in case it needs renovations

Set up your business

Create a plan for the type of salon you will open.
- Resource: https://sf.gov/resource/2022/create-business-plan
Choose a business structure. The CA Board of Cosmetology is only accepting Sole Proprietorships, Partnerships, and Corporations as valid ownership types for an Establishment Permit (see below). Register your business structure with the CA Secretary of State and obtain your EIN from IRS before registering locally.
- Resource: https://sf.gov/resource/2022/register-your-business
Apply for an Employer Identification Number (EIN), also known as a Federal Tax ID Number from the Internal Revenue Service (IRS). This is used to identify your business and allows you to hire employees. If you are a sole proprietor without employees, you may choose to use your Social Security Number instead.
- Resource: https://sf.gov/information/federal-business-registration
Register your business with the City and County of San Francisco through the Office of the Treasurer and Tax Collector.
- Resource: https://sftreasurer.org/business/register-business
- Note: If you register your business before choosing a final location, you will have to update your registration with the new address. This can cost money and time.
Choose and file a business name. File a Fictitious Business Name (FBN) Statement at the SF Office of the County Clerk if you will be using a name other than your given name, the names of your partners, or the officially registered name of your LLC or corporation. Research the name's availability in the county before filing.
- Resource: https://sf.gov/resource/2022/choose-business-name
Apply for an Establishment Permit from the CA Board of Cosmetology. The Board is only accepting Sole Proprietorships, Partnerships, and Corporations as valid ownership types. Each location requires its own permit.
- Resource: https://www.barbercosmo.ca.gov/
Apply for a Seller's Permit from the CA Department of Tax and Fee Administration (CDTFA) if you will be selling tangible goods. Every location must have this permit to sell taxable goods.
- Resource: https://www.cdtfa.ca.gov/taxes-and-fees/faqseller.htm

Prepare your space

For new construction: Submit plans and documents to the SF Department of Building Inspection (DBI). Be prepared to work with an architect or designer to create your building project plans.
- View DBI plan specifications at: https://sf.gov/information/create-your-building-project-plans
- Visit DBI's Technical Services Counter at 49 South Van Ness (Permit Center) or email TechQ@sfgov.org for questions about building codes
Water and wastewater capacity charge: If your business will use more water than the previous business or tenant, you may have to pay a capacity charge to the SF Public Utilities Commission (SFPUC).
- Resource: https://sfpuc.org/accounts-services/service-installations/capacity-char…
- Tip: Get an estimate of the water capacity charge from the SFPUC before you sign a lease. This fee can be high, especially if your location was not previously a salon. You can visit the SFPUC counter at the Permit Center (49 South Van Ness Ave).
Gas and electric services: If your business needs new or additional gas or electric services, contact PG&E Building and Renovation Services to start the application process.
- Resource: https://www.pge.com/en_US/small-medium-business/building-and-property/b…
Signs: If you want to install or change a canopy or sign on the outside of the building, ensure you comply with Planning Department and DBI sign guidelines.
- Planning Department: https://sfplanning.org/resource/signs
- DBI: https://sf.gov/step-by-step/get-permit-build-sign
- Note: Awning permit fees are waived each year during the month of May. You can qualify if you submit your permit application during the month of May. Ask for the permit fee waiver from Planning Department and DBI.

Salon services

Become a licensed barber, cosmetologist, esthetician, electrologist or manicurist. Submit a completed initial examination application with the appropriate fee and any additional documentation. Pass your exam and receive your license.
- Resource: barbercosmo.ca.gov
- Notes:
  - Salon workers must complete a required number of training hours before taking the State Board examination to become a licensed Cosmetologist, Barber, Esthetician, Electrologist, or Manicurist. Be sure you understand the hourly requirements, list of qualifying training schools, application process, and examination procedures.
    - Resource: barbercosmo.ca.gov
  - The above license does not allow you to offer massages, tattoos, piercings or permanent cosmetics. San Francisco regulates these activities separately. If you want to offer these services, apply through the SF Department of Public Health massage program or the Tattoo/Piercings/Permanent Cosmetics program.
    - Resources:
      - Massage Program
      - Tattoo/Piercings/Permanent Cosmetics program
Read the CA Board of Barbering and Cosmetology Frequently Asked Questions. They may have already answered some of your questions.
- Resource: barbercosmo.ca.gov
Dispose of hazardous materials properly. You can dispose of up to 220 pounds or 27 gallons of hazardous waste using the City’s drop off program at SF Recycling and Disposal Inc. Call (415) 330–1425 for an appointment.
- Resource: https://sfenvironment.org/managing-toxic-products-businesses

After opening

If you want to rent out chairs (also known as booth rental), be sure that your renters have the proper licenses and permits. This means that a stylist is renting a station in your salon. The stylist pays you rent to use your facility, but typically keeps what they earn directly from his or her clients.
- Note: Renters do not need a separate Establishment Permit. The owner of the establishment is responsible for the salon, booth and chair renters, and independent contractors.
If you plan to offer any additional services, apply for specialized licenses from the Board of Barbering and Cosmetology.
- Resource: barbercosmo.ca.gov
Post all required posters and permits including, but not limited to, No Smoking signs, minimum wage information, and health inspection results
Mark your calendar. Schedule equipment maintenance and set reminders to renew your permits and licenses as needed.
Conduct periodic self inspections using the Board's Self Inspection Worksheets to verify your salon is in compliance with California laws and regulations.
- Note: The Board does not schedule inspections. To better ensure salon compliance, inspections are performed randomly by inspectors in your area.
Prepare and pay your local, state, and federal taxes. Learn more from these departments: