Hair Salon Permit Requirements in Virginia Beach, VA

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. Virginia DPOR Cosmetology Salon License

   The Virginia Department of Professional & Occupational Regulation (DPOR) issues cosmetology salon licenses to hair salons statewide. A salon license is required in addition to individual cosmetologist licenses. The facility must comply with DPOR sanitation standards and pass an inspection before the license is issued.

   Official government source

   $220 (facility application fee; $220 renewal every 2 years, not annual)·2–4 weeks

   $220 (facility application fee; $220 renewal every 2 years, not annual)

   2–4 weeks

2. Individual Cosmetologist Licenses (DPOR)

   All cosmetologists, estheticians, nail technicians, and other salon professionals working in Virginia must hold individual licenses issued by Virginia DPOR. Licenses require completion of an accredited cosmetology program (or registered apprenticeship) and passing board-approved exams. A license expires two years from the last day of the month in which it was issued and must be renewed each cycle.

   Official government source

   $120 application fee; $120 renewal every two years (18VAC41-20-140)·2–6 weeks

   $120 application fee; $120 renewal every two years (18VAC41-20-140)

   2–6 weeks

3. Virginia State Corporation Commission (SCC) Business Registration

   All formal business entities operating in Virginia must register with the Virginia State Corporation Commission. An LLC is the most common structure for salon owners, costing approximately $100 to file with the SCC.

   Official government source

   $100 (LLC filing fee)·1–2 weeks

   $100 (LLC filing fee)

   1–2 weeks

4. Virginia Department of Taxation Sales Tax Registration

   Hair salon services are not subject to Virginia sales tax — Code of Virginia §58.1-609.5(1) exempts personal service transactions in which any sale of goods is an inconsequential element with no separate charge. What is taxable is your retail sales of products such as shampoo, styling tools and other take-home goods. Register with the Virginia Department of Taxation to get a sales tax certificate and collect and remit tax on those product sales.

   Official government source

   Free·Immediate — Virginia Tax issues your account number and sales tax certificate as soon as you complete the online registration

   Free

   Immediate — Virginia Tax issues your account number and sales tax certificate as soon as you complete the online registration

1. Virginia Beach BPOL License (Business, Professional, Occupational License)

   Virginia Beach requires all businesses to obtain a BPOL license from the Commissioner of Revenue before operating. This license is unique to Virginia's independent city system and covers the local business operating authorization. The fee is calculated based on gross receipts with a minimum flat fee. Hair salons are classified under the General Services (personal-service) business category, not "professional" services. Must be renewed annually by March 1.

   Official government source

   $25/year (gross receipts ≤$25,000), $40/year (≤$100,000), $50/year (≤$200,000) — flat tiered fee; above $200,000, taxed at $0.36 per $100 of gross receipts (General Services rate; Contracting is $0.16/$100, Retail Merchant $0.20/$100, Professional/financial/real estate $0.58/$100).·1–2 weeks

   $25/year (gross receipts ≤$25,000), $40/year (≤$100,000), $50/year (≤$200,000) — flat tiered fee; above $200,000, taxed at $0.36 per $100 of gross receipts (General Services rate; Contracting is $0.16/$100, Retail Merchant $0.20/$100, Professional/financial/real estate $0.58/$100).

   1–2 weeks

2. Certificate of Occupancy

   The Virginia Beach Department of Planning & Community Development requires a Certificate of Occupancy when opening a salon in a commercial space or making significant improvements. This ensures the space meets zoning requirements, building codes, and fire safety standards. A salon plumbing and ventilation inspection is typically part of the process.

   Official government source

   Varies by project scope and square footage; Virginia Beach does not publish its permit and Certificate of Occupancy fee schedule online — confirm with Permits & Inspections at 757-385-4211 or [email protected]·3–8 weeks

   Varies by project scope and square footage; Virginia Beach does not publish its permit and Certificate of Occupancy fee schedule online — confirm with Permits & Inspections at 757-385-4211 or [email protected]

   3–8 weeks

3. Virginia Beach Health Department Sanitation Inspection

   The Virginia Beach Department of Public Health permits and inspects personal-service establishments — including hair, nail, and tanning establishments — for sanitation under City Ordinances #18-56 and #23-57. This is in addition to, not instead of, the sanitation standards the state Board for Barbers and Cosmetology sets for salons under 18VAC41-20-270.

   Official government source

   $30 permit fee for nail service establishments; no separate hair-salon fee is published — call VBDPH Environmental Health at 757-518-2646 to confirm what applies to your salon·2–4 weeks

   $30 permit fee for nail service establishments; no separate hair-salon fee is published — call VBDPH Environmental Health at 757-518-2646 to confirm what applies to your salon

   2–4 weeks

Official Sources

• Virginia DPOR — Cosmetology
• Virginia Beach Commissioner of Revenue — Business License (BPOL)
• Virginia Beach Department of Planning — Permits & Inspections
• Virginia State Corporation Commission — Business Registration

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