Get approved to run a hairdressing business

Hair salons are required to be registered with Council. The Health (Hairdressers) Regulations 1980 defines a hair salon (hairdresser’s shop) and a hairdresser as follows:

hairdresser's shop or shop means any premises, other than premises occupied by a customer, where a hairdresser carries on his business or practice hairdresser means any person who engages for profit or reward in the business or practice of hairdressing, whether in a hairdresser's shop or not.

Mobile hairdressers

If you operate from a vehicle, registration will be required. If operating only at customers' homes you do not need to be registered.

Register a hair salon

If you are taking over an existing business or setting up a new business you will need to complete and return an application for health registration.

Other Council approvals that may be required

Depending on business activities you may need a resource consent or a building consent. If you are planning to sell food you will need to register as a food business.

Fees and charges that are required for registration

  • registration
  • getting checked once a year
  • renewing the registration

Follow the link below to the fees and charges page on our website.

12 December 2022

Information for hairdressing businesses

Hair salon requirements

The design and construction of the facilities used must meet the requirements of the Health (Hairdressers) Regulations 1980 and meet requirements of the New Zealand Building Code. The Health (Hairdressers) Regulations 1980.

Contact us

Before opening a new hair salon, call us on 0800 732 732 and ask for the Environmental Health Team so we can walk you through the process.