Hair Salon Permit Requirements in Davenport, IA

Complete permit and license guide for starting a hair salon in Davenport, Scott County, Iowa.

Verified 2026-09-03 5 stops $300–$1,000 est. 4–10 weeks to obtain all permits and licenses
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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

1 stop

  1. EIN (Employer Identification Number)

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

    Official government source

    FreeImmediate (online application)

State of Iowa

2 stops

  1. Iowa Barbering & Cosmetology License (each practitioner)

    Everyone who cuts, colors, or styles hair for pay in Iowa must hold a Barbering & Cosmetology license. The former Board of Cosmetology Arts and Sciences now sits inside the Department of Inspections, Appeals & Licensing (DIAL) after the 2023 agency consolidation, and barbering and cosmetology have been merged into a single license. Applicants show graduation from a board-approved or nationally accredited program of at least 1,550 hours, or completion of a registered Iowa apprenticeship, and pass the required examinations. Apply online through DIAL's licensing portal.

    Official government source

    $60 application fee, nonrefundable4-8 weeks once DIAL has your application, school transcript, and exam results

  2. Iowa Department of Revenue — Sales Tax Permit

    Required for businesses selling taxable goods or services in Iowa. The state rate is 6%, and local option sales tax of up to 1% may apply. Iowa taxes about 75 enumerated services, so check whether your service is taxable before assuming you need a permit. Register with the Iowa Department of Revenue online.

    Official government source

    Free — no fee to register for a sales tax permitRegister online through GovConnectIowa, the state's tax portal

City of Davenport / Scott County

2 stops

  1. Iowa DIAL — Cosmetology Establishment License

    Every cosmetology salon in Iowa must hold an establishment license from the Department of Inspections, Appeals, and Licensing (Barbering & Cosmetology), successor to the former board after the 2023 consolidation. The license is issued for one specific location — a change of location cancels the license and requires a new application — and applications are filed online.

    Official government source

    $80 application fee, nonrefundableSubmit the application no less than 30 days before the anticipated opening day

  2. No General Business License Required in Davenport

    Davenport does not require a general, citywide business license. The Revenue Division licenses only specific categories, each with its own fee: alarm businesses ($50-$100), auctioneers ($150), billboards and signs, bicycles ($5), tobacco/nicotine ($25-$100 by term), closing-out sales, vehicle-related businesses, mobile food units ($55), live entertainment ($50), metal recyclers ($300), and pawnbrokers/secondhand/junk/antique dealers ($50-$500). Most professional and personal-service businesses — pest control, barbering, tutoring, insurance, cleaning, photography — are not licensed by the city at all. Check the category list, and call the Revenue Division at 563-326-7715 if unsure.

    Official government source

    $0 for most business types; listed categories carry their own published feesNot applicable unless your activity is one of the listed categories

Terminus

Open for business — est. $300–$1,000 · 4–10 weeks to obtain all permits and licenses

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