Hair Salon Permit Requirements in Detroit, MI

1. EIN (Employer Identification Number)

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

   Official government source

   Free·Immediate (online)

   Free

   Immediate (online)

1. MI Cosmetology Establishment License

   Required by LARA's Bureau of Professional Licensing. All cosmetology salons must be licensed as an establishment under the Occupational Code, Act 299 of 1980, Article 12 (MCL 339.1201-339.1218). The application requires certifying that all requirements except the inspection are met and giving a date the premises will be ready; business may not be conducted until the inspection under MCL 339.1204 is passed.

   Official government source

   $75.00 application + 2-year license fee; renewal $50.00; relicensure $95.00·Varies - license issues only after the on-site inspection is passed

   $75.00 application + 2-year license fee; renewal $50.00; relicensure $95.00

   Varies - license issues only after the on-site inspection is passed

2. Individual Cosmetologist License

   Each cosmetologist working in the salon must hold a valid Michigan Cosmetologist License issued by LARA, requiring completion of a 1,500-hour course at a licensed cosmetology school (or a 2-year apprenticeship) and passage of the practical and theory exam.

   Official government source

   $63.00 (application + 2-year license fee, by exam or reciprocity)·4-8 weeks

   $63.00 (application + 2-year license fee, by exam or reciprocity)

   4-8 weeks

3. Michigan Sales Tax License

   Required by the Michigan Department of Treasury if the salon sells retail products (hair care products, styling items). Michigan's 6% sales tax applies to sales of tangible personal property; the salon's own cosmetology services are not taxable. Register through Michigan Treasury Online (MTO) using 'Start a New Business (E-Registration)', or file the paper Registration Booklet (Form 518).

   Official government source

   Free — Treasury charges no fee to register for a Michigan sales tax license·Online through MTO: the application is recognized on Treasury's system within 15 minutes and can take up to 48 hours to process. By paper (Form 518): allow 7-10 days for mailing plus about 2 additional weeks for processing.

   Free — Treasury charges no fee to register for a Michigan sales tax license

   Online through MTO: the application is recognized on Treasury's system within 15 minutes and can take up to 48 hours to process. By paper (Form 518): allow 7-10 days for mailing plus about 2 additional weeks for processing.

1. Michigan LARA Cosmetology Establishment (Shop) License

   Detroit does not require a general business license for commercial establishments, and BSEED's published category list and fee schedule contain no hair salon or personal-grooming category. Hair salons are licensed by the state as a cosmetology establishment through LARA's Board of Cosmetology, which sets the shop's sanitation and safety standards and inspects it; the establishment must be licensed before opening. A BSEED Certificate of Occupancy for the leased space still applies separately.

   Official government source

   $75.00 application fee plus 2-year license fee; $50.00 renewal on a 2-year cycle; $95.00 relicensure after lapse (LARA Cosmetology Establishment Licensing Guide & FAQ, rev. 1/26/26). $0 for any Detroit business license — none applies.·Varies with LARA processing and shop inspection scheduling; apply through MiPLUS before opening — LARA publishes no guaranteed turnaround (needs_review)

   $75.00 application fee plus 2-year license fee; $50.00 renewal on a 2-year cycle; $95.00 relicensure after lapse (LARA Cosmetology Establishment Licensing Guide & FAQ, rev. 1/26/26). $0 for any Detroit business license — none applies.

   Varies with LARA processing and shop inspection scheduling; apply through MiPLUS before opening — LARA publishes no guaranteed turnaround (needs_review)

2. Michigan LARA Cosmetology Establishment (Shop) License

   Michigan licenses cosmetology establishments (salons) through LARA's Board of Cosmetology, which sets the shop's sanitation, safety, and equipment standards; the establishment must be licensed before opening and is subject to LARA shop inspection. Detroit BSEED does not separately license or inspect salons for sanitation — salons are not among BSEED's enumerated business-license categories.

   Official government source

   $75.00 application fee plus 2-year license fee; $50.00 renewal on a 2-year cycle; $95.00 relicensure after lapse (LARA Cosmetology Establishment Licensing Guide & FAQ, rev. 1/26/26)·Varies with LARA processing and shop inspection scheduling; apply through MiPLUS before opening — LARA publishes no guaranteed turnaround (needs_review)

   $75.00 application fee plus 2-year license fee; $50.00 renewal on a 2-year cycle; $95.00 relicensure after lapse (LARA Cosmetology Establishment Licensing Guide & FAQ, rev. 1/26/26)

   Varies with LARA processing and shop inspection scheduling; apply through MiPLUS before opening — LARA publishes no guaranteed turnaround (needs_review)

3. Certificate of Occupancy

   Issued by Detroit BSEED for commercial spaces. Required when a new business occupies a commercial property, when the use changes, or when significant renovations are made. Confirms the space meets Detroit building and fire codes for salon use.

   Official government source

   $147 flat (BSEED Fee Schedule eff. 1/1/2024, mod. 7/18/2025); temporary Certificate of Occupancy $520·Varies by scope of work - issued after final inspections; confirm with the BSEED Construction Division

   $147 flat (BSEED Fee Schedule eff. 1/1/2024, mod. 7/18/2025); temporary Certificate of Occupancy $520

   Varies by scope of work - issued after final inspections; confirm with the BSEED Construction Division

Official Sources

• Detroit BSEED
• MI Board of Cosmetology (LARA)
• MI Department of Treasury

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