Nail Salon Permit Requirements in San Diego, CA

Complete permit and license guide for starting a nail salon in San Diego, San Diego County, California.

Verified 2026-08-27 7 stops $500–$1,800 est. 6–10 weeks to obtain all licenses and permits
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Not legal advice. Requirements may change — always verify with your local government authority before applying. Key agencies and fees on this page were re-checked against official government sources on .

Federal — start here

2 stops

  1. EIN (Employer Identification Number)

    Required if you have employees or operate as an LLC/corporation. Free from the IRS.

    Official government source

    FreeImmediate (online application)

  2. OSHA / Cal/OSHA Hazard Communication Compliance

    California nail salons with employees must comply with Cal/OSHA's Hazard Communication Standard (8 CCR 5194) — maintaining Safety Data Sheets (SDS) for all chemical products and training employees on chemical hazards — plus a written Injury and Illness Prevention Program (8 CCR 3203). Cal/OSHA has no nail-salon-specific ventilation standard, but employers must keep chemical exposures below permissible exposure limits (8 CCR 5155), and Cal/OSHA's nail-salon guidance recommends ventilation practices. No fee — this is a compliance requirement. (California operates a federally approved state OSHA plan.)

    Official government source

    Free (compliance requirement)Implement before opening

State of California

3 stops

  1. California Board of Barbering and Cosmetology — Salon/Establishment License

    All nail salons in California must be licensed by the California Board of Barbering and Cosmetology (BBC). The establishment license requires an on-site inspection to verify compliance with California Code of Regulations Title 16, Division 9. The salon must have proper sanitation equipment, ventilation meeting Cal/OSHA standards, and all required tools. Apply via the BreEZe online system.

    Official government source

    $50 nonrefundable application fee; $40 renewal4–8 weeks (includes application processing and on-site inspection)

  2. Individual Nail Technician License — Manicurist License (per employee)

    Every nail technician must hold a valid California Manicurist License issued by the Board of Barbering and Cosmetology. This requires 400 hours of cosmetology school education focused on manicuring, passing a written exam administered by PSI Exams.

    Official government source

    $110 application for examination and initial license (nonrefundable)4–8 weeks (after completing required education and passing exam)

  3. California Seller's Permit

    Required if your nail salon sells retail products. Apply for free through the California Department of Tax and Fee Administration (CDTFA). The combined sales tax rate in San Diego is 7.75%.

    Official government source

    FreeImmediate to 1 week (online application)

City of San Diego / San Diego County

2 stops

  1. City of San Diego Business Tax Certificate

    All businesses operating in the City of San Diego must obtain a Business Tax Certificate from the Office of the City Treasurer. It is a tax registration, not a regulatory license. The fee is based on employee count only: $34/year for businesses with 12 or fewer employees, or $125/year plus $5 per employee for 13 or more employees. Every application and renewal adds a $4 state-mandated SB-1186 fee, and beginning July 1, 2025 an annual Minimum Wage Enforcement Fee of $1.47 per employee also applies. Renewed annually.

    Official government source

    $38/year for most small businesses ($34 business tax + $4 SB-1186 fee; 12 or fewer employees); $129/year + $5 and $1.47 per employee for 13+ employees1–2 weeks (online application)

  2. City of San Diego Development Services — Certificate of Occupancy

    A nail salon space must be approved for personal-services use. If you move into a previously licensed salon space with no changes, the existing Certificate of Occupancy may be sufficient. For new construction, tenant improvements, or a change of occupancy, the CoO is issued by Development Services as part of the building-permit process after final inspection. For an existing building without a CoO on record, submit Form DS-6003. Temporary/Reissued CoO: $353.13. Contact DSD at 619-446-5000.

    Official government source

    No separate CoO fee for permitted work (issued with the building permit); Temporary/Reissued CoO $353.132–6 weeks

Terminus

Open for business — est. $500–$1,800 · 6–10 weeks to obtain all licenses and permits

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