Tennessee home and mobile salon rules
Can you run a salon from your home in Tennessee?
Yes, with conditions. A salon in your home can be licensed as a shop in Tennessee if it has a separate entrance that does not pass through the home and a separate restroom apart from the living quarters. Below: what a home salon needs, mobile salons (allowed) and house calls (allowed), each answered from Tennessee's own statutes, rules or board pages, read on October 31, 2026, with the state's own words.
- Salon in your home
- Allowed
- Mobile salon
- Allowed
- House calls
- Allowed
- Home salon rules
- 3 listed
Licensed by the Tennessee Board of Cosmetology and Barber Examiners.The board's site Salon license feesThe state's own words
Home salons
Can you have a salon in your home in Tennessee?
Yes, with conditions. A salon in your home can be licensed as a shop in Tennessee if it has a separate entrance that does not pass through the home and a separate restroom apart from the living quarters.
- Salon in your home
- Allowed
- License it needs
- Cosmetology Shop
- State fee
- $150
What a home salon needs
A separate entrance that does not require passing through any part of the private residence
“Residential shops must maintain a separate entrance without requiring passage through any” publications.tnsosfiles.com
Separate restroom facilities apart from the living quarters
“Separate restroom facilities must be provided apart from the living quarters.” tn.gov
A barber shop in a residential building must be on the first floor and display a street-visible shop sign
“A barber shop located in a residential building must be located on the first floor (street level or one (1) level below) and display a sign of sufficient size as to be clearly visible from the street, indicating that it is a shop.” tn.gov
Tennessee is one of 47 states whose official pages allow a salon in your home.
Mobile salons
Do you need a mobile salon license in Tennessee?
Yes: mobile salons are allowed, with a license. A mobile salon in Tennessee needs its own mobile shop license, which requires a valid license for a fixed-location shop; the vehicle must be parked and fully stationary while serving clients.
- Mobile salon
- Allowed
- License it needs
- Mobile Shop License
What a mobile salon needs
Must hold a valid, current license for a fixed-location shop
“Holds a valid, current license for a shop that has a fixed location;” publications.tnsosfiles.com
Must be owned by the same person or entity as the fixed-location shop
“The mobile shop and the primary shop shall be owned by the same person, persons or” publications.tnsosfiles.com
Must be legally parked in a fixed position and fully stationary while serving customers
“The mobile shop shall be legally parked in a fixed position and fully stationary (not in motion)” publications.tnsosfiles.com
Must be inspected at least once a year
“Each mobile shop shall be inspected at least annually and the owner of the mobile shop shall” publications.tnsosfiles.com
Must dispose of waste water in a sanitary sewer system
“The mobile shop is required to dispose of any waste water in a sanitary sewer system.” publications.tnsosfiles.com
Tennessee is one of 39 states whose official pages allow a mobile salon.
House calls
Can you do services at a client's home in Tennessee?
Yes, on conditions. A licensed cosmetologist may provide services in a client's home, bringing the supplies they need.
The rule and Tennessee's own words, on the makeup artist page for Tennessee.
Good to know
What else Tennessee asks
- A new home shop must be inspected and approved by a Board inspector before it opens.
- Check local zoning and HOA rules before opening a home shop; the state says these decide whether residential shops are permitted.
Sources
What Tennessee's official pages say
Each answer above, in the words of Tennessee's own statutes, rules or board pages, read on October 31, 2026. Your city or county may add its own rules for a home business: confirm with the Tennessee Board of Cosmetology and Barber Examiners and your local zoning office before you open.
- Home salons
“A shop is located in any premises, building, or part of a building (including a residence) in which a person is authorized”
tn.gov “Residential shops must maintain a separate entrance without requiring passage through any”
publications.tnsosfiles.com “_For Cosmetology, Barber, Manicure, Skin Care, Natural Hair Styling, Manicure/Skin Care, Eyelash Services_$150”
tn.gov “Separate restroom facilities must be provided apart from the living quarters.”
tn.gov “A barber shop located in a residential building must be located on the first floor (street level or one (1) level below) and display a sign of sufficient size as to be clearly visible from the street, indicating that it is a shop.”
tn.gov - Mobile salons
“(a) No person shall operate a mobile shop without a valid mobile shop license issued”
publications.tnsosfiles.com “The initial issuance of a mobile shop license shall be set to expire on the same date as”
publications.tnsosfiles.com “Holds a valid, current license for a shop that has a fixed location;”
publications.tnsosfiles.com “The mobile shop and the primary shop shall be owned by the same person, persons or”
publications.tnsosfiles.com “The mobile shop shall be legally parked in a fixed position and fully stationary (not in motion)”
publications.tnsosfiles.com “Each mobile shop shall be inspected at least annually and the owner of the mobile shop shall”
publications.tnsosfiles.com “The mobile shop is required to dispose of any waste water in a sanitary sewer system.”
publications.tnsosfiles.com - Also good to know
“All new shops or changes of location must be inspected and approved by an inspector of the Board before opening business.”
tn.gov - Also good to know
“Check with local zoning/codes enforcement and HOA, if applicable, to determine if residential shops are permitted.”
tn.gov
Questions
Tennessee home and mobile salons, answered
Can you have a salon in your home in Tennessee?
What are the home salon requirements in Tennessee?
Do you need a mobile salon license in Tennessee?
Can you do house calls in Tennessee?
What else do you need to open a salon in Tennessee?
Plan the rest
Ready to open your doors
- What Tennessee requires to license a salon, with its fees
- What Tennessee inspectors check in a salon
- Hours and fees for each Tennessee cosmetology license
- Sales tax on salon services in Tennessee
Home and mobile salon rules in other states
Ready when you are
Licensed at home? Fill the book next
A home or mobile salon in Tennessee has no street sign, so clients find you online. SalonAI plans the business side: a website clients book from in one tap, deposits, reminders with directions or arrival notes, your Google profile and Instagram, reviews and rebooking. Founden builds and runs it while you work.
Built with Founden. Review your setup and running costs before activation.