Hair Salon Permit Requirements in Denver, CO
Complete permit and license guide for starting a hair salon in Denver, Denver County, Colorado.
Not legal advice. Requirements may change — always verify with your local government authority before applying. Last verified: .
Denver / Denver County Requirements
3 requirementsDenver Business License
Required for all businesses operating in Denver. Issued by the Denver Department of Excise & Licenses. Hair salons must register before opening and renew annually.
DDPHE Salon Sanitation Inspection
Denver salons are subject to sanitation inspections by the Denver Department of Public Health & Environment. Inspections verify sterilization of tools, proper handling of chemical services, and compliance with state cosmetology rules.
Certificate of Occupancy
Required before opening in a commercial space. Issued by Denver Community Planning and Development (CPD) after the space passes building, fire, and zoning inspections.
Colorado State Requirements
3 requirementsColorado Sales Tax License
Required for businesses selling retail products (shampoo, styling products) in Colorado. Issued by the Colorado Department of Revenue.
CO DORA Cosmetology Salon License
All cosmetology salons in Colorado must hold a salon establishment license from the Colorado Department of Regulatory Agencies (DORA), Office of Barber and Cosmetology Licensure. The salon must meet physical requirements including proper lighting, ventilation, and sanitation facilities.
Individual Cosmetologist License
Every cosmetologist working in your salon must hold a current Colorado cosmetologist license from DORA. Requires completion of an approved cosmetology program (1,500 hours) and passing the Colorado state board exams.
Federal Requirements
1 requirementEIN (Employer Identification Number)
Required if you have employees or operate as an LLC/corporation. Free from the IRS, obtained instantly online.
Official Sources
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