Opening a hair salon or barbershop in San José

San José · Hair salon / barber

Verified 2026-06-11 · 10/17 verified · 7 Pending verification

Total estimated cost

$270–$489

+ Pending verification

Realistic timeline

60–185days

Permits & registrations

Selling alcohol?

Hot cooking?

Hiring employees?

Step-by-step walkthrough

In the order we recommend doing them. Steps with arrows depend on a previous step being done first.

Phase 1 · Paperwork (free / today)

Federal Employer Identification Number (EIN)

Internal Revenue Service (IRS)

Free0 d

Who this applies to

All businesses with employees or partnerships/corporations/LLCs. Sole-proprietor with no employees may use SSN — confirm with CPA.

Always free. The IRS warns: 'You never have to pay a fee for an EIN. Beware of websites that charge for an EIN.'

Open the official form →Open the agency page →

California Seller's Permit

California Department of Tax and Fee Administration (CDTFA)

Free0–1 d

Do this first → Federal Employer Identification Number (EIN)

Who this applies to

Anyone selling tangible personal property in California (food, drink, retail goods). Restaurants and boba shops always need this. Salons selling retail products (shampoo, polish, tools to customers) also need this — confirm with CDTFA for service-only businesses.

No application fee. CDTFA may require a security deposit in some cases; amount depends on the case.

Open the official form →Open the agency page →

if hiring

California Employer Payroll Tax Account (EDD)

California Employment Development Department (EDD)

Free0–7 d

Do this first → Federal Employer Identification Number (EIN)

Who this applies to

Required within 15 days when you 'pay more than $100 in wages in a calendar quarter'. Household employers: $750/quarter threshold. Most restaurants and salons hit this threshold the first pay cycle.

No registration fee.

Open the official form →Open the agency page →

Fictitious Business Name (FBN / DBA) filing

Santa Clara County Clerk-Recorder

1 d

Who this applies to

If your business operates under any name other than the owner's legal name. Required for almost all DBAs and most LLCs/Corps operating under a name different from the registered entity name.

Fee was $40 (first name + first owner) + $7 (each additional) per a 2021 source. Current 2026 fee NOT verified — owner to confirm via phone (408-299-5688) or the official fee schedule before publication.

Open the official form →Open the agency page →

FBN newspaper publication

Adjudicated newspaper (private, choose from county list)

30–60 d

Do this first → Fictitious Business Name (FBN / DBA) filing

Who this applies to

Required for every FBN/DBA filing.

Newspaper-set; typically $30–$80. Owner must choose adjudicated newspaper from county list.

Open the agency page →

Phase 2 · Location & build-out

Zoning verification (before signing lease)

City of San José Planning Division

0–5 d

Who this applies to

Always — verify the address allows your business type BEFORE signing a lease. Critical to avoid signing a lease at a non-conforming address.

Informal zoning check at the Permit Center is free. Formal Zoning Verification Letter has a fee — owner to confirm current rate.

Open the agency page →

Building tenant improvement (TI) permit

City of San José — Building Division

30–120 d

Do this first → Zoning verification (before signing lease)

Who this applies to

Any new restaurant/salon/boba opening typically requires TI for hood, plumbing, electrical, accessibility. Some pre-existing food-permitted spaces may skip if no construction needed.

Plan Review: $325/hour (15-min minimum over-the-counter, 1-hour minimum for full review intake). Permit fees scale with project valuation and square footage. Use the city's online Building Fee Estimator at permits.sanjoseca.gov/fee-estimator/building.

Open the official form →Open the agency page →

Fire Department occupancy inspection / permit

San José Fire Department — Fire Prevention

7–30 d

Do this first → Building tenant improvement (TI) permit

Who this applies to

All new commercial occupancies. Mandatory for restaurants (cooking) and any change-of-use.

Fire permit fees vary by occupancy type and hazard class. Restaurant (Type 1 hood, cooking) is most expensive; salon (low hazard) is less.

Open the agency page →

Sign permit (storefront signage)

City of San José — Planning, Building & Code Enforcement

14–60 d

Do this first → Zoning verification (before signing lease)

Who this applies to

Required for any new storefront sign (wall, window, awning, monument, projecting). Replacing or significantly modifying an existing sign also triggers a permit. Commonly overlooked — installing signage without a permit can result in fines and forced removal.

Sign permit fees vary by sign type, size, illumination, and location (historic district, downtown, etc.). Owner to verify current rate via SJ Building Fee Estimator or call (408) 535-3555.

Open the official form →Open the agency page →

Phase 3 · Open & operate

San José Business Tax Certificate

City of San José — Finance Department

from $219.601–14 d

Who this applies to

All businesses operating in San José city limits.

Base tax effective July 1, 2025: $219.60 for 1–2 employees. Plus mandatory $4 SB-1186 state fee. Higher employee counts have incremental amounts — owner to confirm the 3+ employee tiers from sanjoseca.gov before publication.

Open the official form →Open the agency page →

if hiring

Workers' compensation insurance

California private insurance carriers / State Compensation Insurance Fund

from $8001–7 d

Do this first → Federal Employer Identification Number (EIN)

Who this applies to

Every California employer with one or more employees — full-time, part-time, or temporary. No exception for family members. Sole-proprietors with no employees are exempt.

Premium varies widely by payroll size and trade — typical $800–$3,000/year for small restaurant or salon with 2–5 employees. State Fund accepts new businesses turned down by private carriers. Required by California Labor Code §3700 from your very first employee — criminal penalties for non-compliance.

Open the official form →Open the agency page →

if hiring

CalSavers retirement registration (or exemption)

CalSavers Retirement Savings Program (State of California)

Free1 d

Do this first → California Employer Payroll Tax Account (EDD)

Who this applies to

All California employers with at least one W-2 employee that don't already offer a qualified retirement plan (401(k), SIMPLE IRA, etc.). If you offer your own plan, file a one-time exemption with CalSavers.

Free for employers — no fees, no employer contributions. Employees contribute via payroll deduction; opt-in is automatic but employees can opt out.

Open the official form →Open the agency page →

BBC Establishment License

California Board of Barbering & Cosmetology (BBC)

$5030–60 d

Do this first → Building tenant improvement (TI) permit

Who this applies to

Every hair salon / barbershop in California.

Same establishment license as nail salons — $50 initial / $40 renewal every 2 years. Hair salons also need a single establishment license per address.

Open the official form →Open the agency page →

if hiring

Cosmetologist license (every full-service stylist)

California Board of Barbering & Cosmetology (BBC)

60–180 d

Who this applies to

Every cosmetologist (full service: hair + skin + nails) in the salon.

Application + exam + license fee. Specific 2026 amounts to verify from current BBC fee schedule.

Open the official form →Open the agency page →

if hiring

Barber license (if shop is a barbershop)

California Board of Barbering & Cosmetology (BBC)

60–180 d

Who this applies to

Barbers performing shaving with a straight razor must hold a Barber license (not just Cosmetologist).

Application + exam + license fee. Specific 2026 amounts to verify.

Open the official form →Open the agency page →

if hiring

Esthetician license (skin services / waxing)

California Board of Barbering & Cosmetology (BBC)

45–120 d

Who this applies to

Optional — only if hair salon offers skin services (facials, waxing, lash). Cosmetologists can also do these services within scope.

Application + exam + license fee. Specific 2026 amounts to verify.

Open the official form →Open the agency page →

Cal/OSHA chemical safety (color, perm, relaxer)

California Division of Occupational Safety and Health (Cal/OSHA)

Free0 d

Who this applies to

All hair salons using color, perm, relaxer, or chemical straightening products.

Same as nail salon — SDS for every chemical, proper ventilation per BBC regulations, and required workplace notices.

Open the agency page →

Fees & timelines at a glance

Step	Agency	Processing time	Fee
Federal Employer Identification Number (EIN)	IRS	0 d	Free
California Seller's Permit	CDTFA	0–1 d	Free
Fictitious Business Name (FBN / DBA) filing	SCC Clerk-Recorder	1 d
FBN newspaper publication	Newspaper	30–60 d
San José Business Tax Certificate	City of SJ Finance	1–14 d	from $219.60
Zoning verification (before signing lease)	SJ Planning	0–5 d
Building tenant improvement (TI) permit	SJ Building	30–120 d
Fire Department occupancy inspection / permit	SJ Fire	7–30 d
Sign permit (storefront signage)	SJ PBCE	14–60 d
BBC Establishment License	BBC	30–60 d	$50
Cal/OSHA chemical safety (color, perm, relaxer)	Cal/OSHA	0 d	Free
Subtotal (default path)			$269.6
+ California Employer Payroll Tax Account (EDD)	EDD	0–7 d	Free
+ Workers' compensation insurance	Insurance carrier	1–7 d	from $800
+ CalSavers retirement registration (or exemption)	CalSavers	1 d	Free
+ Cosmetologist license (every full-service stylist)	BBC	60–180 d
+ Barber license (if shop is a barbershop)	BBC	60–180 d
+ Esthetician license (skin services / waxing)	BBC	45–120 d

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Common questions

Where do I start if I've never opened a business before?

Start with two things in parallel: (1) verify the address you want to lease allows your business type — call San José Planning before signing anything; (2) get your federal EIN (free, instant on the IRS site). Both block almost everything else and cost nothing.

Realistically, how long does the whole process take?

Most owners take 3–6 months from signing the lease to opening day. Plan check + tenant improvement (TI) is usually the slowest piece. If your space was previously the same kind of business (a former restaurant becoming a new restaurant), you can sometimes shorten by 1–2 months.

Is it worth paying a 代办 to handle the permits?

代办 typically charge $500–$1,500 to file the paperwork. The forms themselves are mostly free or cost a few dollars. The honest trade-off: paying for time and worry, not for the documents. If English is hard or you have no time, an agent can be worth it — but the public information is right here, free.

Does any agency provide help in 中文?

Some city/county counters have Mandarin or Cantonese-speaking staff (especially in Santa Clara County). Call ahead and ask. IRS and CDTFA also have Chinese-language phone lines. BBC examinations are available in multiple languages including Chinese.

What's the difference between Cosmetologist and Barber license?

Both are 1,000-hour training programs. Cosmetologist covers hair + skin + nails as full service. Barber covers haircutting + 200 hours of shaving/beard trimming specifically. If your shop offers straight-razor shaving, you need at least one Barber. Many owners hire a mix.

What chemical safety rules apply to color and perm?

Cal/OSHA requires a Safety Data Sheet (SDS) for every product on site, proper ventilation, and gloves. Posted workplace notices (minimum wage, IIPP, etc.) are also required. BBC inspectors check for these — non-compliance is a common citation. Free; just takes setup.

Can I run my hair salon as booth rental?

California regulators have specific rules for booth rental — each booth renter must hold their own BBC license and may need their own business tax certificate. This is a legal/tax structure decision, not a pure process question — talk to a CPA or attorney before setting it up.

If I only cut hair (no shaving), do my stylists still need a Barber license?

No — Cosmetologist license covers hair cutting and styling. Barber license is required specifically for shaving with a straight razor. Many modern 'barbershops' actually staff Cosmetologists when they don't offer traditional shaves.