Texas home and mobile salon rules
Can you run a salon from your home in Texas?
Yes, with conditions. A salon in your home can be licensed if it has dedicated space that is not used as living space, an entrance separate from the home's entrance, and a closed door between the two during business hours. Below: what a home salon needs, mobile salons (allowed) and house calls (allowed), each answered from Texas'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
Licensed by TDLR.The board's site Salon license feesThe state's own words
Home salons
Can you have a salon in your home in Texas?
Yes, with conditions. A salon in your home can be licensed if it has dedicated space that is not used as living space, an entrance separate from the home's entrance, and a closed door between the two during business hours.
- Salon in your home
- Allowed
- License it needs
- Establishment License
What a home salon needs
Apply for a license like any other establishment; TDLR staff may inspect it
“An establishment attached to a residence must apply for a license like any other establishment and may be inspected by TDLR staff.” tdlr.texas.gov
An entrance that is separate and distinct from the residential entrance
“An establishment that is attached to a residence must have an entrance that is separate and distinct from the residential entrance.” tdlr.texas.gov
Dedicated space, separated from the rest of the home, that is not used as living space
“To operate an establishment inside of a home, you must have dedicated space, separated from the rest of the home, that is not used as living space.” tdlr.texas.gov
Clients should not be able to access the residence during business hours
“Clients should not be able to access the residence during business hours.” tdlr.texas.gov
Any door between the home and the salon must be closed during business hours
“Any door between a residence and an establishment must be closed during business hours.” tdlr.texas.gov
Texas is one of 47 states whose official pages allow a salon in your home.
Mobile salons
Do you need a mobile salon license in Texas?
Yes: mobile salons are allowed, with a license. A mobile salon must be licensed as a mobile establishment, keep a permanent address it dispatches from, carry hot water and a full day's fresh water on board, and be trackable by TDLR through GPS or a weekly itinerary.
- Mobile salon
- Allowed
- License it needs
- Mobile Barbering or Cosmetology Establishment License
- State fee
- $78
What a mobile salon needs
Keep a permanent physical address from which the unit is dispatched and returned when not in use
“A mobile establishment must maintain a permanent physical address from which the mobile establishment unit is dispatched and to which the mobile establishment unit is returned when not in use.” tdlr.texas.gov
Submit a weekly itinerary at least 7 calendar days before the service it covers
“The itinerary must be submitted not less than 7 calendar days prior to the beginning of service described in the itinerary” tdlr.texas.gov
Onboard water heater that supplies fresh hot water continuously and on demand
“Hot water must be provided by an onboard water heater that provides fresh hot water continuously and on-demand” tdlr.texas.gov
A fresh-water holding tank sized for a full day's business
“Fresh water must be supplied by a holding tank sufficient to supply a full day’s business.” tdlr.texas.gov
A functioning restroom available on the premises where the unit is located while services are provided
“A functioning restroom must be available for use on the premises where the mobile establishment is located when providing services” tdlr.texas.gov
Display the license number and shop name on both left and right sides of the vehicle
“The exterior of the mobile establishment must display the license number and a sign stating the name of the shop on both (left and right) sides of the vehicle.” tdlr.texas.gov
Texas is one of 39 states whose official pages allow a mobile salon.
House calls
Can you do services at a client's home in Texas?
Yes, on conditions. Licensed practitioners may do only TDLR's listed services, such as haircutting and eyelash extensions, outside a salon. The booking must go through a digital network, and the business must file a notice of intent with TDLR.
The rule and Texas's own words, on the makeup artist page for Texas.
Good to know
What else Texas asks
- An establishment attached to a residence may be inspected by TDLR staff.
- Mobile establishment licenses are valid for two years from the date of issue.
- Services may not be performed outside the unit or while it is moving.
Sources
What Texas's official pages say
Each answer above, in the words of Texas'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 TDLR and your local zoning office before you open.
- Home salons
“You may operate an establishment that is attached to your home, with some limitations.”
tdlr.texas.gov “Apply for a New Establishment License”
tdlr.texas.gov “An establishment attached to a residence must apply for a license like any other establishment and may be inspected by TDLR staff.”
tdlr.texas.gov “An establishment that is attached to a residence must have an entrance that is separate and distinct from the residential entrance.”
tdlr.texas.gov “To operate an establishment inside of a home, you must have dedicated space, separated from the rest of the home, that is not used as living space.”
tdlr.texas.gov “Clients should not be able to access the residence during business hours.”
tdlr.texas.gov “Any door between a residence and an establishment must be closed during business hours.”
tdlr.texas.gov - Mobile salons
“A mobile establishment is a self-contained, self-supporting, enclosed mobile unit in which barbering or cosmetology is practiced.”
tdlr.texas.gov “Apply for a Mobile Barbering or Cosmetology Establishment License”
tdlr.texas.gov “To apply for a license, submit a completed license application form (PDF) along with the non-refundable fee of $78.”
tdlr.texas.gov “A mobile establishment must maintain a permanent physical address from which the mobile establishment unit is dispatched and to which the mobile establishment unit is returned when not in use.”
tdlr.texas.gov “The itinerary must be submitted not less than 7 calendar days prior to the beginning of service described in the itinerary”
tdlr.texas.gov “Hot water must be provided by an onboard water heater that provides fresh hot water continuously and on-demand”
tdlr.texas.gov “Fresh water must be supplied by a holding tank sufficient to supply a full day’s business.”
tdlr.texas.gov “A functioning restroom must be available for use on the premises where the mobile establishment is located when providing services”
tdlr.texas.gov “The exterior of the mobile establishment must display the license number and a sign stating the name of the shop on both (left and right) sides of the vehicle.”
tdlr.texas.gov - Also good to know
“An establishment attached to a residence must apply for a license like any other establishment and may be inspected by TDLR staff.”
tdlr.texas.gov - Also good to know
“Mobile establishment licenses are valid for two years from the date of issue.”
tdlr.texas.gov - Also good to know
“Services may not be performed outside the mobile establishment unit or while the unit is in motion.”
tdlr.texas.gov
Questions
Texas home and mobile salons, answered
Can you have a salon in your home in Texas?
What are the home salon requirements in Texas?
Do you need a mobile salon license in Texas?
Can you do house calls in Texas?
What else do you need to open a salon in Texas?
Plan the rest
Ready to open your doors
- What Texas requires to license a salon, with its fees
- What Texas inspectors check in a salon
- Hours and fees for each Texas cosmetology license
- Sales tax on salon services in Texas
Home and mobile salon rules in other states
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