Nail 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 application)

   Free

   Immediate (online application)

2. OSHA Hazard Communication Standard Compliance

   Nail salons handle hazardous chemicals. OSHA requires Safety Data Sheets, employee training, and adequate ventilation (29 CFR 1910.1200).

   Official government source

   Free (compliance requirement)·Implement before opening

   Free (compliance requirement)

   Implement before opening

1. Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs - Cosmetology Establishment License

   All nail salons in Michigan must be licensed by LARA's Bureau of Professional Licensing as a cosmetology establishment. The license requires an application, an on-site inspection (MCL 339.1204), and compliance with the Michigan Occupational Code, Act 299 of 1980, Article 12 (MCL 339.1201-339.1218). The salon must meet sanitation, equipment, and ventilation standards, and may not operate until the inspection 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 Nail Technician (Manicurist) License — per technician

   Every nail technician working in the salon must hold a valid Michigan Manicurist License issued by LARA. This requires not less than 400 hours of training — or not less than 600 hours for an individual who began training on or after July 1, 2024 — either in a licensed school of cosmetology or as an apprentice, plus passing the written and practical exam. Experience may substitute for training at 100 hours of training per month of experience.

   Official government source

   $63.00 application fee plus 2-year license fee (by exam or reciprocity); renewal $48.00 on a 2-year cycle; relicensure after lapse $83.00 (LARA Manicurist Licensing Guide & FAQ, rev. 1/26/26)·Varies; LARA advises allowing about 2 weeks for PSI to process the initial application before an exam can be scheduled, on top of the required training hours

   $63.00 application fee plus 2-year license fee (by exam or reciprocity); renewal $48.00 on a 2-year cycle; relicensure after lapse $83.00 (LARA Manicurist Licensing Guide & FAQ, rev. 1/26/26)

   Varies; LARA advises allowing about 2 weeks for PSI to process the initial application before an exam can be scheduled, on top of the required training hours

3. Michigan Sales Tax License

   Required if you sell tangible retail products (polish, lotions, gift items) in your salon. Michigan levies 6% sales tax on the total price of taxable retail sales of tangible personal property; Michigan does not allow city or local sales taxes, so the rate is 6% statewide. Nail services themselves are not taxable — Michigan taxes tangible personal property and only a short enumerated list of services. Register with the Michigan Department of Treasury through Michigan Treasury Online (MTO) e-Registration, or by paper using the State of Michigan Business Taxes Registration Booklet (Form 518). Entities must register with Treasury to receive the license.

   Official government source

   Free — Treasury publishes no fee to register for or renew a Michigan sales tax license.·Treasury's Online New Business Registration page states you can receive your new Sales Tax License 'in as little as 7 business days'; registering by mail is slower. The license is valid January 1 through December 31 and must be renewed annually.

   Free — Treasury publishes no fee to register for or renew a Michigan sales tax license.

   Treasury's Online New Business Registration page states you can receive your new Sales Tax License 'in as little as 7 business days'; registering by mail is slower. The license is valid January 1 through December 31 and must be renewed annually.

1. Michigan LARA Cosmetology Establishment License

   Detroit does not require a general business license and BSEED has no 'personal services' or nail salon category. Nail salons must be licensed as a cosmetology establishment by LARA's Bureau of Professional Licensing under the Occupational Code, Act 299 of 1980, Article 12 (MCL 339.1201-339.1218). Business may not be conducted until the on-site inspection required by MCL 339.1204 is passed. Individual nail technicians must separately hold a Michigan manicurist license.

   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. City of Detroit — Certificate of Occupancy

   A Certificate of Occupancy from BSEED is required to confirm the space is approved for personal services use. New build-outs require a building permit, inspection, and C of O issuance. Contact BSEED at (313) 224-3179 (Business License and Trade Permits) — the number 313-224-3158 in the original does not match any BSEED published number.

   Official government source

   $147 flat for a Certificate of Occupancy; $520 for a Temporary Certificate of Occupancy and $520 for an extension (BSEED Fee Schedule eff. 1/1/2024, mod. 7/18/2025). Building/electrical/mechanical/plumbing permit and plan-review fees for a build-out are separate and scope-based.·Varies with inspection and plan-review scheduling; BSEED publishes no guaranteed turnaround for C of O issuance (needs_review)

   $147 flat for a Certificate of Occupancy; $520 for a Temporary Certificate of Occupancy and $520 for an extension (BSEED Fee Schedule eff. 1/1/2024, mod. 7/18/2025). Building/electrical/mechanical/plumbing permit and plan-review fees for a build-out are separate and scope-based.

   Varies with inspection and plan-review scheduling; BSEED publishes no guaranteed turnaround for C of O issuance (needs_review)

Official Sources

• Michigan LARA — Cosmetology
• City of Detroit — BSEED
• Michigan Department of Treasury — Sales Tax

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