Murewa Rural District Council (Hairdresser's, Beautician's and Barber’s Shop) By-laws, 2025
Murewa salons, barbershops and beauticians must now be licensed by the council — US$20 to apply, US$50–US$90 a year depending on class and location — with fines up to US$800 for serving or employing someone with an infectious skin condition.
No one may carry on the business of a hairdresser, beautician or barber in Murewa Rural District Council's area except in a shop licensed by the council. An application must be accompanied by a health inspector's report.
Licences run for up to a year and expire on 31 December regardless of when they were issued. The council may refuse or cancel a licence where the applicant fails to comply with the by-laws or is convicted of an offence under them, must give written reasons, and a person aggrieved may apply to the Administrative Court for review.
Operators are graded. A Class A licensee holds a Skilled Worker Class One (Journeyman) hairdressing certificate or equivalent; Class B is a hairdresser or barber without that qualification; Class C covers beauty treatment, braiding and hair extensions only. Classes B and C may not use hairdressing chemicals — perm lotion, tint, bleach, peroxide and the like — and a US$50 penalty applies if they do.
Fees are set in US dollars, payable in local currency at the prevailing interbank rate. Application costs US$20 for any category. Annual licence fees in the Murewa Town Board and Macheke areas are US$70 for a barber or beautician, US$90 for a Class A hairdresser, US$80 for Class B and US$70 for Class C; at rural and business centres the same items cost US$50, US$50, US$70, US$60 and US$50. Renewal costs the same as the licence.
The health provisions carry the heaviest penalties. Attending to, or employing, a person who appears to be suffering from a skin, hair or communicable disease attracts US$800 in each case. Failing to sterilise instruments between customers is US$100; refusing a medical examination when required by the health officer is US$200; failing to wash hands between customers is US$10. Premises requirements cover ventilation, floor and wall finishes, three-metre ceiling height, wash basins in ratio to chairs and a bar on using any part of the premises as a dwelling. A person who does not settle a liability under these by-laws within 90 days commits a further offence carrying a fine up to level 14 or two years' imprisonment, or both.
What changed
- Licensing is compulsory for all hairdressing, barbering and beauty businesses in the council area
- Licences expire on 31 December each year regardless of issue date
- Class A, B and C licence classes introduced, with chemicals restricted to Class A
- Application fee US$20; annual licence US$50–US$90 depending on class and location
- Fines of US$800 for attending to or employing a person with an apparent infectious skin or hair condition, and up to level 14 or two years' imprisonment for unpaid liabilities after 90 days
Who this affects
- Hairdressers, barbers and beauticians operating in Murewa district
- Salon landlords and premises owners
- Council health inspectors
Plain-language summary — not legal advice. Always read the full instrument.