Vermont home and mobile salon rules
Can you run a salon from your home in Vermont?
Yes. A salon in your home can be licensed as a shop in Vermont, since the shop application lists a residential building as a valid location, and you may not open until the shop license is issued. Below: what a home salon needs, mobile salons (allowed) and house calls (allowed), each answered from Vermont'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 OPR.The board's site Salon license feesThe state's own words
Home salons
Can you have a salon in your home in Vermont?
Yes. A salon in your home can be licensed as a shop in Vermont, since the shop application lists a residential building as a valid location, and you may not open until the shop license is issued.
- Salon in your home
- Allowed
- License it needs
- Barbers and Cosmetologist Shop License
- State fee
- $355
Vermont is one of 47 states whose official pages allow a salon in your home.
Mobile salons
Do you need a mobile salon license in Vermont?
Yes: mobile salons are allowed, with a license. A mobile salon can be licensed as a mobile shop in Vermont, with one license per vehicle, once it has DMV registration, commercial liability insurance and an OPR inspection.
- Mobile salon
- Allowed
- License it needs
- Mobile Shop License
- State fee
- $355
What a mobile salon needs
Current Commercial Liability Insurance certificate, uploaded with the application
“Current Commercial Liability Insurance certificate.” outside.vermont.gov
Current DMV vehicle registration for the mobile shop vehicle and any trailer
“Current DMV Vehicle Registration for the shop vehicle and any trail-on.” outside.vermont.gov
Each person who will drive or tow the mobile shop must hold a valid driver's license, uploaded with the application
“Yes, any person or persons operating the mobile shop must be duly licensed to drive or tow the mobile shop.” sos.vermont.gov
The shop must have a written policy prohibiting transportation of clients in the mobile shop
“a policy prohibiting transportation of clients in the mobile shop;” outside.vermont.gov
An OPR inspector inspects the mobile shop before a license is issued
“Yes, once your application is complete with all the required documents, an OPR inspector will contact you to schedule your inspection.” sos.vermont.gov
Vermont is one of 39 states whose official pages allow a mobile salon.
House calls
Can you do services at a client's home in Vermont?
Yes, on conditions. Licensees may work outside a licensed shop at special events and for homebound, disabled or hospice clients, if shop sanitation standards are followed.
The rule and Vermont's own words, on the makeup artist page for Vermont.
Good to know
What else Vermont asks
- You may not open for business until your shop license has been issued.
- The floor plan submitted with a shop application must show whether the location is residential or commercial, plus room dimensions, stations, doors and restroom facilities.
- A mobile shop is for services provided inside the licensed mobile shop, not for traveling to clients in a personal vehicle.
Sources
What Vermont's official pages say
Each answer above, in the words of Vermont'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 OPR and your local zoning office before you open.
- Home salons
“location of shop (residential or commercial building), dimensions of all rooms, location of stations, access points and internal and external doors, restroom facilities”
outside.vermont.gov “Barbers and Cosmetologist Shop License Application Instructions”
outside.vermont.gov “012 - Cosmetology Shop $285 $355”
outside.vermont.gov - Mobile salons
“a licensee may apply for licensure of a mobile shop, which may be an automobile or tow-behind trailer specially adapted for the safe, convenient, and accessible provision of professional services.”
outside.vermont.gov “Yes, each vehicle or mobile premises used as a mobile shop must be individually licensed as such.”
sos.vermont.gov “160- Mobile Shops $285 $355”
outside.vermont.gov “Current Commercial Liability Insurance certificate.”
outside.vermont.gov “Current DMV Vehicle Registration for the shop vehicle and any trail-on.”
outside.vermont.gov “Yes, any person or persons operating the mobile shop must be duly licensed to drive or tow the mobile shop.”
sos.vermont.gov “a policy prohibiting transportation of clients in the mobile shop;”
outside.vermont.gov “Yes, once your application is complete with all the required documents, an OPR inspector will contact you to schedule your inspection.”
sos.vermont.gov - Also good to know
“You may NOT be open for business until your shop license has been issued.”
outside.vermont.gov - Also good to know
“location of shop (residential or commercial building), dimensions of all rooms, location of stations, access points and internal and external doors, restroom facilities”
outside.vermont.gov - Also good to know
“No. The intent of a mobile shop is for services to be provided in the licensed mobile shop.”
sos.vermont.gov
Questions
Vermont home and mobile salons, answered
Can you have a salon in your home in Vermont?
Do you need a mobile salon license in Vermont?
Can you do house calls in Vermont?
What else do you need to open a salon in Vermont?
Plan the rest
Ready to open your doors
- What Vermont requires to license a salon, with its fees
- What Vermont inspectors check in a salon
- Hours and fees for each Vermont cosmetology license
- Sales tax on salon services in Vermont
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 Vermont 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.