The agencies state $8,865 in initial fees across 5 of the 9 items; 2 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 nail salon in Maryland?
$8,865 in state fees the agencies state, across 5 of the 9 licenses, permits and registrations; 2 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 nail salon in Maryland
Every row checked against its agency’s page; the latest on Oct 21, 2026.
- Stated state fees
- $8,865initial fees across 5 of 9 items
- Free items
- 2no 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 Articles of organization (LLC) and the annual report (Form 1) Maryland State Department of Assessments and Taxation Premium only Trade name registration (DBA) Maryland State Department of Assessments and Taxation Premium only Employer Identification Number (EIN) Internal Revenue Service Free Register for tax
Item Agency Fee Combined registration: sales and use tax license, employer withholding Comptroller of Maryland Free Traders license Clerk of the Circuit Court in your county Premium only Approve the space
Item Agency Fee Zoning approval and use and occupancy permit Your county or municipal zoning and permits office Premium only Get the permits for your kind of business
Item Agency Fee Salon permit or barbershop permit Maryland Board of Cosmetologists Premium only Licensed cosmetologists, nail technicians, estheticians and barbers Maryland Board of Cosmetologists Premium only Before the first hire
Item Agency Fee Unemployment insurance account, new hire reporting, workers’ compensation and paid family leave Maryland Department of Labor 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
SDAT articles of organization form (revised May 2026) and corporate charter fee schedule; Form 1 annual report instructions; SDAT trade name application and instructions (Corporations and Associations Article 1-406); IRS EIN page; Comptroller business tax tip #13 (opening a new business) and the Maryland Tax Connect registration guide; Comptroller business tax tip #64 (a guide to business licenses); Howard and Somerset County Clerk of the Circuit Court business license pages; Business Regulation Article 17-1804 and 17-1807; County and municipal zoning ordinances and building codes; Board of Cosmetologists and Board of Barbers new shop instructions (use and occupancy permit first); Board of Cosmetologists licensing FAQ; Board of Barbers forms and fees page and COMAR 09.16.01.08; Board of Cosmetologists and Board of Barbers license pages and fee regulations; Division of Unemployment Insurance 2026 employer contribution rates; Workers’ Compensation Commission employer FAQ (Labor and Employment Article 9-402); Department of Human Services new hire reporting pages; FAMLI Division contribution pages. Fees are as published by each agency on the date checked; cities and counties add their own.