Permitting & Licensing for Barbershops
Opening a salon or barbershop offers returning citizen entrepreneurs a potential path to financial independence and community engagement. These businesses play an essential role in neighborhoods, serving as spaces for personal care, creativity, and connection.
Starting this type of business requires compliance with permitting and licensing requirements at the federal, state, and local levels, including health and safety standards, professional licensing for stylists or barbers, and zoning approvals.
The Fresh Start Entrepreneurship Permitting & Licensing Guide for Barbershops & Salons in Boston is a publication by Harvard Law School and First Step Alliance. It provides a foundational overview to help aspiring entrepreneurs navigate the permitting and licensing landscape.
note: this guide is not designed to comprehensively address all of the legal issues that may arise When using this publication, please be aware it is not legal advice and is not meant to take the place of an attorney. Laws may change and it's important you make sure that the laws and regulations discussed in this guide are still applicable and current before acting on them.
Download the Guide