The agencies state $15,656 to $15,686 in initial fees across 4 of the 9 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 Massachusetts?
$15,656 to $15,686 in state fees the agencies state, across 4 of the 9 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 Massachusetts
Every row checked against its agency’s page; the latest on Oct 21, 2026.
- Stated state fees
- $15,656 to $15,686initial fees across 4 of 9 items
- Free items
- 3no fee as the agency publishes it
- Set elsewhere
- 2by the city, the county or a provider
- Items in all
- 9in 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 Certificate of organization (LLC) and the annual report Secretary of the Commonwealth Premium only Business certificate (DBA) The city or town clerk where the business has its office Premium only Employer Identification Number (EIN) Internal Revenue Service Free Register for tax
Item Agency Fee MassTaxConnect registration: sales and use tax, meals tax, withholding Massachusetts Department of Revenue Free Local licensing: no state business license Your city or town’s licensing authority Free Approve the space
Item Agency Fee Zoning approval, building permit and certificate of occupancy Your city or town building department Premium only Get the permits for your kind of business
Item Agency Fee Salon license or barbershop license Board of Registration of Cosmetology and Barbering Premium only Licensed cosmetologists, manicurists, aestheticians and barbers Board of Registration of Cosmetology and Barbering Premium only Before the first hire
Item Agency Fee Unemployment insurance account, paid family and medical leave, new hire reporting and workers’ compensation Department of Unemployment Assistance Premium only
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
Corporations Division LLC pages and filing fee schedule; 950 CMR 112.00; M.G.L. c. 156C; M.G.L. c. 110, section 5; town clerk business certificate pages (Milford, Middleton and Norfolk $50, Boylston and Southborough $40, Rochester $20); IRS EIN page; Department of Revenue MassTaxConnect registration pages; M.G.L. c. 64H and c. 64L; Massachusetts General Laws c. 140 (local licenses); city licensing pages (Cambridge License Commission, Boston Licensing Board); Board of Building Regulations and Standards (780 CMR); M.G.L. c. 40A (zoning); municipal zoning bylaws and ordinances; Board of Registration of Cosmetology and Barbering salon and barbershop application pages; Division of Occupational Licensure fee and renewal schedule; 240 CMR 8.04; Division of Occupational Licensure fees and license renewal schedules for cosmetology, barbering and electrology; Department of Unemployment Assistance employer contribution pages (2026 rates, $15,000 wage base); Department of Family and Medical Leave contribution pages (M.G.L. c. 175M); Department of Industrial Accidents workers’ compensation requirements; 830 CMR 62E.2.1 (new hires). Fees are as published by each agency on the date checked; cities and counties add their own.