The agencies state $195 in initial fees across 3 of the 8 items; 3 are free; 2 are set by the city, the county or a provider. Rent, build-out and equipment come on top and depend on the space.
How much does it cost to open a barbershop in California?
$195 in state fees the agencies state, across 3 of the 8 licenses, permits and registrations; 3 are free; 2 are set by the city, the county or a provider. Rent, build-out and equipment come on top.
What the state publishes for a barbershop in California
Every row checked against its agency’s page; the latest on Oct 17, 2026.
- Stated state fees
- $195initial fees across 3 of 8 items
- Free items
- 3no fee as the agency publishes it
- Set elsewhere
- 2by the city, the county or a provider
- Items in all
- 8in the order to get them
Initial fees as each agency states them, summed; renewals are not included. Where a fee depends on size or sales the range is the lowest to the highest stated. Members see each row’s fee, its renewal and the official page.
Set up the business
Item Agency Fee Articles of organization (LLC) or a fictitious business name California Secretary of State Premium only Employer Identification Number (EIN) Internal Revenue Service Free Register for tax
Item Agency Fee Seller’s permit California Department of Tax and Fee Administration Free City business license or business tax registration Your city Premium only Approve the space
Item Agency Fee Certificate of occupancy and building permits for the build-out Your city or county building department Premium only Get the permits for your kind of business
Item Agency Fee Establishment license California Board of Barbering and Cosmetology Premium only Licensed cosmetologists, barbers, estheticians and manicurists California Board of Barbering and Cosmetology Premium only Before the first hire
Item Agency Fee Employer payroll tax account Employment Development Department Free
What comes on top of the fees
The state publishes its fees; the space sets the rest. These work it out from your own numbers.
- Rent the business can carryMonthly sales, or seats and average check, to the base rent that fits a healthy occupancy share.Rent-to-sales calculator
- The real cost of a NNN leaseBase rent plus CAM, property taxes and insurance, each month.NNN lease calculator
- The steps in orderThe same items as a walk-through you tick off, with progress saved to your account.How to open
Fees are shown to members as published. Create an account.
Sources and dates
Secretary of State business entities pages; Franchise Tax Board LLC page; Los Angeles County Registrar-Recorder fictitious business name pages; IRS EIN page; CDTFA seller’s permit FAQ and online registration page; City of Los Angeles Office of Finance business tax registration pages; Los Angeles Department of Building and Safety; Board of Barbering and Cosmetology establishment application and fee schedule (16 CCR 998); Board of Barbering and Cosmetology fee schedule (16 CCR 998) and cosmetologist application; EDD register as an employer page. Fees are as published by each agency on the date checked; cities and counties add their own.