13 permits · verified 2026-10-09
What permits do you need to open a salon or barber in San Mateo County?
In short
A salon or barber in San Mateo County, CA has 2 permits that apply to every business of this type, plus 11 more that depend on your premises, signage or how you are set up. California Secretary of State, Business Programs Division charges $20 per filing, biennial for the statement of information (llc). 6 of the 13 are charged as a range or formula rather than a flat fee. Verified 2026-10-09 against the issuing agencies’ published fee schedules.
Permits particular to a salon or barber in San Mateo County
| Permit | Issuing agency | Fee | Renews | Last checked |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Body Art Facility Permit and Practitioner Registrationonly if it applies to you | San Mateo County Health, Environmental Health Services | The fee, charged separately for a new establishment application, the annual establishment permit and each practitioner registration, is set by the San Mateo County Environmental Health Services fee schedule, approved by the Board of Supervisors under Ordinance 4901 and Ordinance Code §5.64.070 and adjusted automatically each January 1 under Ordinance 4901. Contact Environmental Health Services, (650) 372-6200 or envhealth@smcgov.org, or see its Environmental Health Services Fees page, for the current amount. | 1 year; renewed annually (EHS Permanent Body Art Facility page) | 2026-10-09 |
| Massage Business County Registration Certificate (unincorporated area)only if it applies to you | San Mateo County Health, Environmental Health Services | Ordinance Code §5.44.040(e): 'There shall be no fee for the registration Application or certificate, or any amendment or renewal thereof.' The section allows the county to charge for health and safety inspections; the annual massage business inspection fee is set by the San Mateo County Environmental Health Services fee schedule (Ordinance 4901, adjusted each January 1). Contact Environmental Health Services, (650) 372-6200, for the current inspection fee. | 2 years from issuance (Ordinance Code §5.44.040(b)); renew no less than 30 days before expiration | 2026-10-09 |
| Hazardous Waste Generator Permit (CUPA)only if it applies to you | San Mateo County Health, Environmental Health Services | The annual permit fee, tiered by the volume of hazardous waste generated each year, is set by the San Mateo County Environmental Health Services fee schedule, approved by the Board of Supervisors under Ordinance 4901 and Ordinance Code §5.64.070 and adjusted automatically each January 1 under Ordinance 4901. Contact Environmental Health Services, (650) 372-6200 or envhealth@smcgov.org, or see its Environmental Health Services Fees page, for the current amount. | annual | 2026-10-09 |
| Cosmetology or Barbering Establishment License | California Board of Barbering and Cosmetology | $50 application and initial license | 2 years | 2026-09-03 |
Fees shown as a range or formula are set that way by the issuing agency — we do not average them into a single number.
Local permits that apply to every type of business in San Mateo County
| Permit | Issuing agency | Fee | Renews | Last checked |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Building Permit (unincorporated area)only if it applies to you | San Mateo County Planning and Building Department | Varies — formula on the San Mateo County page | per project (one-time) | 2026-10-09 |
| Use Permit / Kennel-Cattery Permit (unincorporated area)only if it applies to you | San Mateo County Planning and Building Department | Varies — formula on the San Mateo County page | per permit; renewals and inspections billed when due | 2026-10-09 |
Fees shown as a range or formula are set that way by the issuing agency — we do not average them into a single number.
CA registrations that apply to every type of business
| Permit | Issuing agency | Fee | Renews | Last checked |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Statement of Information (LLC)only if it applies to you | California Secretary of State, Business Programs Division | $20 per filing, biennial | biennial | 2026-09-03 |
| Articles of Organization (LLC)only if it applies to you | California Secretary of State, Business Programs Division | $70 one-time filing | no expiry, but a Statement of Information is due biennially | 2026-09-03 |
| Articles of Incorporationonly if it applies to you | California Secretary of State, Business Programs Division | $100 one-time filing | no expiry, but a Statement of Information is due annually | 2026-09-03 |
| Statement of Information (Corporation)only if it applies to you | California Secretary of State, Business Programs Division | $25 per filing, annual | annual | 2026-09-03 |
| Seller's Permitonly if it applies to you | California Department of Tax and Fee Administration | No fee — no fee to apply | no expiry while actively engaged in business as a seller | 2026-09-03 |
| Annual LLC Tax and Minimum Franchise Taxonly if it applies to you | California Franchise Tax Board | Varies — formula on the CA page | annual, until the entity is cancelled | 2026-09-03 |
| General Business License — California position (city or county, not state) | California Secretary of State, Business Programs Division | No fee | set by the issuing city or county | 2026-09-03 |
Fees shown as a range or formula are set that way by the issuing agency — we do not average them into a single number.
How much does it actually cost to permit a salon or barber in San Mateo County?
There is no single figure, and any site quoting one is rounding away the part that matters. Of the 13 records listed for a salon or barber in San Mateo County, CA, 2 apply to every business of this type and 11 are conditional. Adding every fee on the page together would overstate what most operators pay, because it would include permits they never need.
Of the 2 that always apply, 1 carry a flat fee, coming to $50.00. That is a floor, not a total. 6 of the 13 are charged as a range or a formula set by the issuing agency, and 1 has no fee published at all. The ones particular to this business that vary:
Body Art Facility Permit and Practitioner Registration: The fee, charged separately for a new establishment application, the annual establishment permit and each practitioner registration, is set by the San Mateo County Environmental Health Services fee schedule, approved by the Board of Supervisors under Ordinance 4901 and Ordinance Code §5.64.070 and adjusted automatically each January 1 under Ordinance 4901. Contact Environmental Health Services, (650) 372-6200 or envhealth@smcgov.org, or see its Environmental Health Services Fees page, for the current amount.
Massage Business County Registration Certificate (unincorporated area): Ordinance Code §5.44.040(e): 'There shall be no fee for the registration Application or certificate, or any amendment or renewal thereof.' The section allows the county to charge for health and safety inspections; the annual massage business inspection fee is set by the San Mateo County Environmental Health Services fee schedule (Ordinance 4901, adjusted each January 1). Contact Environmental Health Services, (650) 372-6200, for the current inspection fee.
Hazardous Waste Generator Permit (CUPA): The annual permit fee, tiered by the volume of hazardous waste generated each year, is set by the San Mateo County Environmental Health Services fee schedule, approved by the Board of Supervisors under Ordinance 4901 and Ordinance Code §5.64.070 and adjusted automatically each January 1 under Ordinance 4901. Contact Environmental Health Services, (650) 372-6200 or envhealth@smcgov.org, or see its Environmental Health Services Fees page, for the current amount.
The other 3 variable fees belong to permits that apply to every type of business here; their formulas are set out on the San Mateo County permits page and the CA state page.
Which offices issue these permits in San Mateo County?
Permits for a salon or barber in San Mateo County, CA come from 6 separate offices: San Mateo County Health, Environmental Health Services, San Mateo County Planning and Building Department, California Secretary of State, Business Programs Division, California Department of Tax and Fee Administration, California Franchise Tax Board, California Board of Barbering and Cosmetology. No single office issues them all, which is why an opening means filing in several places rather than one.
- San Mateo County Health, Environmental Health ServicesIssues 3 permits on this page: Body Art Facility Permit and Practitioner Registration, Massage Business County Registration Certificate (unincorporated area), Hazardous Waste Generator Permit (CUPA)2000 Alameda de las Pulgas, Suite 100, San Mateo, CA 94403 · (650) 372-6200smcehs.my.site.com/s/?language=en_US
- San Mateo County Planning and Building DepartmentIssues 2 permits on this page: Building Permit (unincorporated area), Use Permit / Kennel-Cattery Permit (unincorporated area)455 County Center, 2nd Floor, Redwood City, CA 94063 · (650) 363-4161www.smcgov.org/planning/fees
- California Secretary of State, Business Programs DivisionIssues 5 permits on this page, including Statement of Information (LLC), Articles of Organization (LLC), Articles of Incorporation(916) 657-5448bizfileonline.sos.ca.gov
- California Department of Tax and Fee AdministrationIssues 1 permit on this page: Seller's Permitonlineservices.cdtfa.ca.gov
- California Franchise Tax BoardIssues 1 permit on this page: Annual LLC Tax and Minimum Franchise Taxwww.ftb.ca.gov
- California Board of Barbering and CosmetologyIssues 1 permit on this page: Cosmetology or Barbering Establishment Licensewww.barbercosmo.ca.gov
What does a salon or barber need in San Mateo County that other businesses do not?
3 of the 4 permits particular to a salon or barber here apply to no other business type we cover in San Mateo County: Body Art Facility Permit and Practitioner Registration, Massage Business County Registration Certificate (unincorporated area) and Cosmetology or Barbering Establishment License.
Body Art Facility Permit and Practitioner Registration
A salon or studio offering tattooing, body piercing or permanent cosmetics needs a permanent body art facility health permit from Environmental Health Services, and each person doing the work registers as a practitioner. The EHS Permanent Body Art Facility page says that facilities 'shall comply with Article 4 starting with Section 119312 of California's Safe Body Art Law', that applications go to EHS by email, fax or mail, and that 'Health Permits are valid for one year and must be renewed annually'; the permit must be prominently displayed. A salon offering only hair, nail or skin services without body art has no body art permit. Fees are under the Board-approved EHS fee schedule that adjusts each January 1 under Ordinance 4901, and the program applies countywide.
Massage Business County Registration Certificate (unincorporated area)
Ordinance Code §5.44.030 makes it unlawful for a business 'to provide massage for compensation within the unincorporated areas of San Mateo County' unless everyone performing massage is a CAMTC-certified practitioner and the business holds a County Registration Certificate. The EHS Massage Establishment Inspection Program page confirms that EHS 'is responsible for inspecting massage businesses in unincorporated areas of San Mateo County' and tells a business elsewhere to contact its own municipality. The certificate is valid for two years and must be renewed no less than 30 days before it expires; the facility is inspected at least once a year, and personnel changes are reported within 96 hours. Under §5.44.080, licensed barbers and cosmetologists are exempt when massaging only the neck, face, scalp, hands or feet of clients, so a salon offering only that is outside the chapter.
Cosmetology or Barbering Establishment License
$50 covers the application and the initial license together — it is one combined fee, not two — and renewal is $40 every two years, with a $20 delinquency fee. The establishment license is separate from every practitioner license held by the people working there. Three rules catch owners out: only the owner may apply, only one license is issued per address, and the license is valid only for the location and the owners named on it. Moving premises, selling the business, or adding or removing a partner all require a fresh application rather than an amendment. A mobile unit is licensed separately at $50 plus a $100 initial inspection and license fee. A license left unrenewed for five years is cancelled outright.
Shared with other businesses in San Mateo County
- Hazardous Waste Generator Permit (CUPA) — San Mateo County Health, Environmental Health Services, The annual permit fee, tiered by the volume of hazardous waste generated each year, is set by the San Mateo County Environmental Health Services fee schedule, approved by the Board of Supervisors under Ordinance 4901 and Ordinance Code §5.64.070 and adjusted automatically each January 1 under Ordinance 4901. Contact Environmental Health Services, (650) 372-6200 or envhealth@smcgov.org, or see its Environmental Health Services Fees page, for the current amount., annual. Also required for auto repair shops, veterinary clinics and contractors and trades; what it involves is set out on the contractors and trades page.
The other 2 local permits in the tables apply to every type of business in San Mateo County, CA; what each one involves is set out on the San Mateo County permits page. The 7 state-level registrations apply to every type of business across CA and are covered on the CA state page.
How does a salon or barber compare with other businesses in San Mateo County?
The closest match is a veterinary clinic, which shares 1 of these permits. A salon or barber also needs Body Art Facility Permit and Practitioner Registration, Massage Business County Registration Certificate (unincorporated area) and Cosmetology or Barbering Establishment License. A veterinary clinic needs Medical Waste Generator Registration / Permit and Veterinary Premises Registration, which a salon or barber does not.
| Business | Its own permits | Shared with a salon or barber | Only a salon or barber needs | Only it needs |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Veterinary clinics | 3 | 1 | 3 | 2 |
| Contractors and trades | 4 | 1 | 3 | 3 |
| Auto repair shops | 5 | 1 | 3 | 4 |
| Childcare centres | 3 | 0 | 4 | 3 |
| Coffee shops | 10 | 0 | 4 | 10 |
| Fitness studios | 2 | 0 | 4 | 2 |
| Food trucks | 7 | 0 | 4 | 7 |
| Restaurants | 9 | 0 | 4 | 9 |
| Retail stores | 10 | 0 | 4 | 10 |
Sources
Every figure for the permits explained on this page was read from one of these government pages on the date shown. Sources for the permits shared with other businesses are listed with their explanations on the contractors and trades page. Sources for the permits that apply to every type of business are listed on the San Mateo County permits page and the CA state page. Confirmed by Editorial Team.
- Environmental Health Services FeesSan Mateo County Health, Environmental Health Services · primary source · retrieved 2026-10-09
- Ordinance No. 4901 — amending the Environmental Health Services fee schedule and authorizing automatic annual adjustment (adopted 10 December 2024)San Mateo County Board of Supervisors · primary source · retrieved 2026-10-09
- San Mateo County Ordinance Code Chapter 5.64 — Fees for Enforcement of State Public Health LawsCounty of San Mateo / Municode · primary source · retrieved 2026-10-09
- Body Art ProgramSan Mateo County Health, Environmental Health Services · primary source · retrieved 2026-10-09
- Permanent Body Art Facility InformationSan Mateo County Health, Environmental Health Services · primary source · retrieved 2026-10-09
- San Mateo County Ordinance Code Chapter 5.44 — Massage BusinessesCounty of San Mateo / Municode · primary source · retrieved 2026-10-09
- Massage Establishment Inspection ProgramSan Mateo County Health, Environmental Health Services · primary source · retrieved 2026-10-09
- California Code of Regulations title 16 section 998, Schedule of Fees, as published by the Board of Barbering and CosmetologyCalifornia Board of Barbering and Cosmetology · primary source · retrieved 2026-09-03
- California Business and Professions Code section 7415 — two-year license term for barbering and cosmetology licensesCalifornia Legislative Information · primary source · retrieved 2026-09-03
Related
Commercial Compliance Hub publishes information, not legal advice. Requirements change — confirm anything you rely on with the issuing agency before you file.