Barber Shop Permit Requirements in Seattle, WA

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)

1. Washington State Department of Licensing - Salon/Shop License (barber shop)

   All barber shops in Washington must hold a salon/shop license from the Washington State Department of Licensing (RCW 18.16, WAC 308-20). To get the license the business must certify it carries a public liability insurance policy of at least $100,000 combined bodily injury and property damage, meet local zoning and fire codes, and provide customer toilet facilities. DOL inspects each salon/shop at least once every two years and on complaint. The shop license must be posted in the reception area, and each barber must post their individual license at their workstation.

   Official government source

   $121 to get the salon/shop license and $121 to renew ($181 if renewed late). A salon/shop license expires one year from issuance, or when the required liability insurance expires, whichever comes first (RCW 18.16.170).·DOL does not publish a guaranteed processing time; mailed applications with payment typically take several weeks. The license is issued once the application, fee, and insurance certification are on file - a pre-opening inspection is not a prerequisite.

   $121 to get the salon/shop license and $121 to renew ($181 if renewed late). A salon/shop license expires one year from issuance, or when the required liability insurance expires, whichever comes first (RCW 18.16.170).

   DOL does not publish a guaranteed processing time; mailed applications with payment typically take several weeks. The license is issued once the application, fee, and insurance certification are on file - a pre-opening inspection is not a prerequisite.

2. Individual Barber License (per barber)

   Every barber working in the shop must hold a valid Washington State Barber License issued by DOL. This requires completing an approved 1,000-hour barber program, passing a written and practical exam.

   Official government source

   $35 new application fee; $66 renewal fee every 2 years ($131 if renewed late).·4–8 weeks (after completing required education and passing exams)

   $35 new application fee; $66 renewal fee every 2 years ($131 if renewed late).

   4–8 weeks (after completing required education and passing exams)

3. Washington State Business License

   Most businesses operating in Washington must obtain a State Business License through the Department of Revenue's Business Licensing Service. Apply through the My DOR portal or by mail.

   Official government source

   $50 one-time Business License Application processing fee to open a business; $5 per location annual renewal processing fee; $10 for any other filing (adding a trade name, an endorsement, or hiring employees); $5 per trade name registered. State, city, and county endorsements carry separate fees.·About 10 business days for online applications; add 2-3 weeks if city or state endorsements are required; mailed applications take up to 6 weeks.

   $50 one-time Business License Application processing fee to open a business; $5 per location annual renewal processing fee; $10 for any other filing (adding a trade name, an endorsement, or hiring employees); $5 per trade name registered. State, city, and county endorsements carry separate fees.

   About 10 business days for online applications; add 2-3 weeks if city or state endorsements are required; mailed applications take up to 6 weeks.

1. City of Seattle — Business License Tax Certificate

   All businesses operating in Seattle must obtain a Business License Tax Certificate from Seattle License and Tax Administration, applied for and renewed through FileLocal. The certificate is required regardless of revenue. Seattle B&O tax is owed only above $2,000,000 in annual Seattle taxable gross revenue (threshold raised from $100,000 effective January 1, 2026, with a new $2,000,000 standard deduction), but you must still file and report gross revenue each year. Businesses with $4,000 or less of Seattle revenue and no place of business in the city are exempt from the certificate requirement as of 2026.

   Official government source

   2026 annual fee by Seattle taxable revenue: $73 (under $20,000), $147 ($20,000-$499,999), $667 ($500,000-$1,999,999), $1,604 ($2,000,000-$4,999,999), $3,210 ($5,000,000 or more), plus $10 per branch location. Businesses starting July 1 or later pay half the first-year fee.·Filed online through FileLocal the certificate is usually printable within 2-3 business days; by mail it takes one to six weeks. All certificates expire Dec. 31 and must be renewed annually.

   2026 annual fee by Seattle taxable revenue: $73 (under $20,000), $147 ($20,000-$499,999), $667 ($500,000-$1,999,999), $1,604 ($2,000,000-$4,999,999), $3,210 ($5,000,000 or more), plus $10 per branch location. Businesses starting July 1 or later pay half the first-year fee.

   Filed online through FileLocal the certificate is usually printable within 2-3 business days; by mail it takes one to six weeks. All certificates expire Dec. 31 and must be renewed annually.

2. City of Seattle — Certificate of Occupancy

   A Certificate of Occupancy from the Seattle Department of Construction & Inspections (SDCI) is required before opening a barber shop if there is new construction or a change of use. For an existing building with no construction work, SDCI still requires a building permit to issue the certificate. Contact SDCI at 206-684-8600.

   Official government source

   No flat fee. SDCI charges value-of-construction-based permit and plan-review fees plus hourly review at the 2026 base rate of $292/hour, with a $292 minimum. Where there is no construction work, the minimum building permit fee ($292) applies plus hourly charges for records research, plan examination, or inspection; a temporary Certificate of Occupancy costs half the base fee ($146) and a duplicate certificate $48.85. Use SDCI's 2026 Fee Estimator for your project.·Varies widely. Simple subject-to-field-inspection permits can be issued within 48 hours; projects needing full plan review go through multiple correction cycles and commonly take months. SDCI publishes no standard turnaround - 75% of plan review and permit fees are due at application and the balance before issuance.

   No flat fee. SDCI charges value-of-construction-based permit and plan-review fees plus hourly review at the 2026 base rate of $292/hour, with a $292 minimum. Where there is no construction work, the minimum building permit fee ($292) applies plus hourly charges for records research, plan examination, or inspection; a temporary Certificate of Occupancy costs half the base fee ($146) and a duplicate certificate $48.85. Use SDCI's 2026 Fee Estimator for your project.

   Varies widely. Simple subject-to-field-inspection permits can be issued within 48 hours; projects needing full plan review go through multiple correction cycles and commonly take months. SDCI publishes no standard turnaround - 75% of plan review and permit fees are due at application and the balance before issuance.

3. Washington DOL Salon/Shop License (barber shop)

   Barber shops in Washington are licensed by the state Department of Licensing as a salon/shop under RCW 18.16.175, not by Public Health - Seattle & King County, which has no cosmetology establishment permit. The salon/shop must certify public liability insurance of at least $100,000 combined bodily injury and property damage, meet local zoning and fire codes, provide customer toilet facilities, keep the space separate from sleeping or residential rooms, and store and label chemicals safely. DOL inspects each salon/shop at least once every two years and whenever it receives a written complaint, and may contract with local health authorities to carry out those inspections. The shop license must be posted in the reception area.

   Official government source

   $121 to get the salon/shop license and $121 to renew ($181 if renewed late). A salon/shop license expires one year from issuance, or when the required liability insurance expires, whichever comes first (RCW 18.16.170).·DOL does not publish a guaranteed processing time; allow several weeks for a mailed application with payment. Inspection is not a prerequisite to issuance - DOL inspects at least once every two years after opening.

   $121 to get the salon/shop license and $121 to renew ($181 if renewed late). A salon/shop license expires one year from issuance, or when the required liability insurance expires, whichever comes first (RCW 18.16.170).

   DOL does not publish a guaranteed processing time; allow several weeks for a mailed application with payment. Inspection is not a prerequisite to issuance - DOL inspects at least once every two years after opening.

Official Sources

• Washington State DOL — Cosmetology/Barbering
• City of Seattle — Business License Tax
• Seattle Department of Construction & Inspections
• Washington DOR — Business License

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