Hair Salon 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, obtained instantly online.

   Official government source

   Free·Immediate (online application)

   Free

   Immediate (online application)

1. Washington State Business License

   Required for all businesses operating in Washington. Issued by the Department of Revenue. Hair salons must also register for collecting and remitting retail sales tax on taxable services and products.

   Official government source

   $50 (one-time Business License Application fee; $5/year renewal per location)·1–2 weeks

   $50 (one-time Business License Application fee; $5/year renewal per location)

   1–2 weeks

2. WA Cosmetology Salon License

   All hair salon establishments must hold a Cosmetology Salon License issued by the Washington State Department of Licensing (DOL). The salon license is separate from individual cosmetologist licenses and must be displayed prominently.

   Official government source

   $121 license fee (new and renewal); $181 if renewed late.·2–4 weeks

   $121 license fee (new and renewal); $181 if renewed late.

   2–4 weeks

3. Individual Cosmetologist License

   Every cosmetologist working in your salon must hold a current Washington State cosmetologist license from the DOL. Requires completion of a state-approved cosmetology program (1,600 hours) and passing state board exams.

   Official government source

   $35 new application fee; $66 renewal fee every 2 years (not annual) — $131 if renewed late.·Varies (depends on exam scheduling)

   $35 new application fee; $66 renewal fee every 2 years (not annual) — $131 if renewed late.

   Varies (depends on exam scheduling)

1. Seattle Business License Tax Certificate

   Required for all businesses operating in Seattle, issued by Seattle City Finance (License and Tax Administration). Hair salons must keep a current certificate displayed at the place of business. The certificate is required regardless of revenue; Seattle B&O tax is owed only above $2 million in annual taxable gross revenue (the threshold rose from $100,000 on January 1, 2026).

   Official government source

   $73/year if your Seattle taxable revenue is under $20,000, $147 for $20,000-$499,999.99, $667 for $500,000-$1,999,999.99, $1,604 for $2 million-$5 million, and $3,210 for more than $5 million (2026 fee schedule), plus $10 per branch location. Businesses that start July 1 or later pay half the first-year fee.·You can usually print the certificate within 2-3 business days after your payment processes.

   $73/year if your Seattle taxable revenue is under $20,000, $147 for $20,000-$499,999.99, $667 for $500,000-$1,999,999.99, $1,604 for $2 million-$5 million, and $3,210 for more than $5 million (2026 fee schedule), plus $10 per branch location. Businesses that start July 1 or later pay half the first-year fee.

   You can usually print the certificate within 2-3 business days after your payment processes.

2. Certificate of Occupancy

   Required before opening a salon in a commercial space when there is new construction or a change of use. Issued by the Seattle Department of Construction and Inspections (SDCI) through a construction or Establishing Use permit, after inspection confirms the space meets building, fire, and accessibility codes. Call 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 Registration and Inspection

   Hair salons in Washington must be licensed as a salon or shop by the Washington State Department of Licensing under RCW 18.16, which covers liability insurance, sanitation, and inspection requirements for cosmetology establishments. King County Public Health does not run a cosmetology inspection programme.

   Official government source

   $121 to get a salon/shop licence and $121 to renew ($181 if renewed late). Mobile unit and personal service licences carry the same $121/$181 amounts.·Scheduled upon opening

   $121 to get a salon/shop licence and $121 to renew ($181 if renewed late). Mobile unit and personal service licences carry the same $121/$181 amounts.

   Scheduled upon opening

Official Sources

• WA Dept of Licensing: Cosmetology Salons
• City of Seattle: Business License Tax Certificate
• Seattle SDCI: Permits
• Washington DOR: Apply for a Business License

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