The 2024/2025 fee for a certificate of registration is $240.
See also the trade waste rates and charges.
Hairdressing is controlled by the Health (Hairdressers) Regulations 1980. These cover the premises in which hairdressers and barbers operate and the licences that are required.
The 2024/2025 fee for a certificate of registration is $240.
See also the trade waste rates and charges.
Full standards for hairdressing premises are set out in Regulation 4 of the Health (Hairdressers) Regulations 1980(external link).
A summary of the minimum standards for hairdresser premises is below:
Home-based hairdressers (a hairdressing business carried out from a residential dwelling):
Mobile hairdressers (hairdressers who travel to the customer's home/venue and do not have a fixed hairdressing premise) must comply with the requirements relating to the storage, use, cleaning and disinfection of products, appliances and equipment.
Where tea, coffee, or other beverages are served to customers, every utensil used must be effectively cleaned and then sanitised (by use of a commercial dishwasher, or other approved method), alternatively, single-service utensils can be used.
Hairdressers and barber businesses must ensure that they have an approved hair trap installed at the washbasin pipe site. A strainer-type mechanism at the sinkhole, like the ones you used at home to catch kitchen waste from going down into the drainpipe, is not a permitted hair trap.
Hair traps are available to purchase from most plumbing suppliers and need to be installed by a registered plumber. Hair traps need to be emptied and cleaned daily or as required. Hair-only waste can be disposed of in your green recycling bin but if this contains other matter such as foils then this should be disposed of in your red refuse collection bin.
If you have any questions or require more information contact the Trade Waste Team on phone 03 941 8999 or email tradewaste@ccc.govt.nz.
Planning your building works carefully will help give you a high standard premise that will allow your business to operate efficiently and cost-effectively.
There are requirements for registering a hairdressing premise that are additional to building code requirements.
In some cases, it may be advantageous to engage the services of a design consultant with previous experience in the development of hairdressings premises. Your building consent plans should show compliance with the Health Act, the building code and the hairdressing regulations.
Backflow is one of the biggest risks to our public water supply and can seriously affect the quality and safety of our drinking water. Under Section 69ZZZ of the Health Act 1956, you are required to have a Reduced Pressure Zone (RPZ). You can find out more at ccc.govt.nz/backflow-prevention(external link)
Make sure your set of scale plans includes a layout plan of your premises showing the following details:
Your specifications should cover proposed construction materials, colours and finishes. Specification items can either be included on the plan or in a separate specifications sheet.
All hairdressers and barber businesses need to be registered and permitted to connect and discharge into the water, waste and sewage network.
Setting up a new hairdressing business will mean dealing with a number of different departments at Council and other agencies.
They may be able to offer technical advice or information to help you decide whether to proceed with your business.
Contact us on 03 941 8999 and ask for the specific unit.
Environmental Policy and Approvals Unit:
Inspections and Enforcement Unit:
Trade waste permits for hairdressers and barbers:
For advice on setting up and developing a small business, 03366 9978.
Occupational Safety and Health – for advice on Health and Safety in Employment requirements, 0800 20 90 20.