The Insiza Rural District Council has enacted a new by-law banning all unlicensed hair salons, beauticians, and barber shops from operating within its jurisdiction.
The ban, formalised under Statutory Instrument 165 of 2025, seeks to regulate a sector that has seen a proliferation of unlicensed businesses operating in open spaces and backyards at urban areas and growth points.
According to the by-laws, no person shall operate such a business without a licence from the council.
Applicants must submit a formal application, pay a prescribed fee, and provide a health inspector's report.
Licences are valid for up to one year and expire on December 31.
"An application for a licence shall be submitted to council in the appropriate form upon payment of a fee prescribed in the First Schedule and shall be accompanied by a health inspector’s report prepared by the Health Officer or any person appointed to act on his or her behalf," the by-law read in part.
The council said it reserved the right to refuse or cancel a licence for non-compliance with the by-laws or for "any other justifiable reasons," and must provide written reasons for such a decision.
The by-laws include strict health protocols to prevent the spread of disease.
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"In every licensed hairdresser’s, beautician’s and barber’s shop all rooms shall have a window or windows of an area not less than one tenth of the floor area, and minimum of one half of such a window or windows shall be capable of being opened and shall be so placed as to secure through or cross ventilation," reads the by-law.
Under the new laws, operators are prohibited from serving anyone who appears to have a skin, infectious, or contagious disease.
All employees must consent to a medical examination if required by the council.
Anyone found to have a communicable disease, or who refuses an examination, cannot be employed in the shop.
Operating without a licence, performing hair services in public streets, or violating any of the hygiene and safety rules constitutes an offence.
Offenders are liable to a fine, with details specified in the by-law's Second Schedule.
The introduction of these regulations brings Insiza in line with standard public health and business formalisation practices, ensuring a safer and more controlled environment for both operators and their customers.
