The agencies state $500,150 in initial fees across 3 of the 9 items; 1 are free; 5 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 Wisconsin?
$500,150 in state fees the agencies state, across 3 of the 9 licenses, permits and registrations; 1 are free; 5 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 Wisconsin
Drafted from the agencies’ own pages; some rows still wait to be confirmed. Open the official page before you pay anything.
- Stated state fees
- $500,150initial fees across 3 of 9 items
- Free items
- 1no fee as the agency publishes it
- Set elsewhere
- 5by 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 Articles of organization (LLC) and the annual report Wisconsin Department of Financial Institutions Premium only Trade name or trademark registration (optional) Wisconsin Department of Financial Institutions Premium only Employer Identification Number (EIN) Internal Revenue Service Free Register for tax
Item Agency Fee Seller’s permit and Business Tax Registration (withholding account) Wisconsin Department of Revenue Premium only Local licenses Your city Premium only Approve the space
Item Agency Fee Zoning approval and occupancy approval Your municipality’s zoning and building inspection departments Premium only Get the permits for your kind of business
Item Agency Fee Establishment license (cosmetology or barbering) Wisconsin Department of Safety and Professional Services Premium only Licensed cosmetologists, barbers, manicurists and aestheticians Wisconsin Department of Safety and Professional Services Premium only Before the first hire
Item Agency Fee Unemployment insurance account, new hire reporting and worker’s compensation Wisconsin Department of Workforce Development 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
DFI online LLC formation directions and annual report form CORP5 (May 2026); DFI-CCS 10.01 (paper surcharge, March 2024); Wis. Stat. 183.0201; DFI trademark and trade name registration FAQ; Wis. Stat. chapter 132; IRS EIN page; Department of Revenue Business Tax Registration FAQ; form BTR-101; Wisconsin One Stop Business Portal, opening your business pages; municipal ordinances; Department of Safety and Professional Services commercial buildings program; municipal zoning and building ordinances; DSPS establishment licensure instructions (form 1397); Wis. Stat. chapter 454; DSPS cosmetology and barbering credential pages; Wis. Stat. chapter 454; DWD 2026 tax rate schedule for employers (Wis. Stat. 108.18); DWD worker’s compensation employer pages (Wis. Stat. 102.04); DWD new hire reporting (DWD 142). Fees are as published by each agency on the date checked; cities and counties add their own.