When you finally decide on a barber shop to let near you, you can concentrate on setting up your space, attracting clients, and building your brand
Jul 7 2025

How to find the perfect barber shop to let

Renting a barber shop is a big step, and if you get it right, you’ll hit the jackpot. But get it wrong, and you’re stuck paying for four walls that will drain your wallet and energy faster than you can fade a high-and-tight.

So, how do you find the perfect barbershop for rent near you and avoid bumping into a dead end for your independent business? Below, we’ll shed light on five steps to take.

Check local zoning & barber licenses

Try not to get too attached to a place until you’re certain it is properly zoned for your barber shop. In the US, every city has zoning codes that specify what kind of facilities can be located in urban or rural areas. For example, some men’s grooming businesses offer one-on-one services, such as haircuts or beard grooming. In mixed-use or residential districts, these businesses may be banned outright or restricted in terms of hours, signage, or parking.

Call your city’s building department or zoning office before you sign anything. They can inform you about the specific barbershop’s compliance with regulations. Maybe you’ll need to apply for a special use permit or make upgrades in accordance with the health code. Getting this wrong can cost you months of delays or, worse, a lease you can’t legally use.

Besides, when comparing options for barber shops to let, ensure you have the right state and city licenses. Most US states require:

Letting a space without having these licenses is like starting a law firm without a law degree. It’s technically possible, but there’s little business sense in doing so.

Building checks for barbershops for rent near me

Once you find a barber shop to let near you, schedule a walkthrough of the space to ensure it looks exactly like the photos depict. All landlords and property managers should be okay with inspections. So, be sure to examine:

This is important because faulty plumbing can cause leaks or hot water shortages, and poor ventilation may result in health code breaches or an unsatisfactory client experience.

Ask the landlord if the barbershop requires any repairs or if it is move-in ready. You also have the right to request estimates for any upgrades you’ll need to perform to install barber chairs or shampoo sinks. Negotiate on who will cover the upgrade expenses or whether the landlord will share the build-out costs. As required by many US leases, especially triple-net (NNN) leases, tenants may be responsible for covering the costs of barbershop repairs and maintenance.

Parking, traffic & location

Put yourself in your client’s shoes for a minute. It’s unlikely that there’s anyone who is ready to fight for a parking spot or circle the block five times just to get a haircut. 

If parking is a headache, your clients will simply give it a pass and book with the barbershop down the street, where they can park their Teslas. The same goes for traffic. If your barbershop is on a busy street with no easy turn-in or clear signs, you’re losing business to someone in a more convenient spot.

Everyone wants to feel welcome at the barber’s, so don’t forget about:

Narrowing down barbershops for rent near you in proximity to a bus stop or subway station can be a huge plus for walk-ins. Remember, a great barber shop in the wrong location or with poor access can mean empty chairs, no matter how skilled you are with the clippers.

Talk to current or previous tenants

Before you sign anything, try to get the inside scoop from someone who’s rented the space before you. If there’s a barber still working there, or if the facility used to be another business, pop in and ask how it’s really been. 

Here are some questions that can help you understand whether you’re renting the right space:

If there’s no tenant currently, ask nearby businesses what they know. They may tell you if there are crime issues, weird neighbors, or if the landlord’s got a reputation for being hard to deal with. A good landlord can make your life so much easier, while a bad one can cost you time, money, and sleep. 

Take five minutes to chat now, and you might save yourself years of headaches later.

Get the right lease for your barbershop

If it’s the first time you’re looking for barber shops to let near you, consider the type of lease you’re signing. For small, independent barbershops, a Gross or Modified Gross lease is more common. This means you pay flat rent each month, and that’s it. It’s the landlord’s responsibility to handle taxes, insurance, and major maintenance. This makes your cash flow easier to manage because you don’t have to worry about surprise costs.

Building owners typically want to enter into leasing contracts of a minimum of 3-5 years to establish a consistent income stream. This could be risky for novices. You’ll want to reach an agreement for up to 12 months, with the option to extend it or exit early.

When letting a barbershop in a shopping or strip mall, you may be required to sign an NNN lease. Under this agreement, you’ll pay for rent and:

The positive side of the NNN is that you gain access to a high-traffic, high-visibility space that you might not otherwise have.

If you want to avoid NNN-like costs and save time, check out Optima’s suites that can serve as your perfect barber shop to let. Focus on attracting clients, building strategic connections, upgrading your skills, and keeping 100% of your income – all within an upscale, professional setting in New York, California, or Oregon.