Tanning Studio with Sunbeds and Spray Booth

Rent a small unit and offer booked sunbed and spray tan sessions to local clients.

A client relaxing in a sunbed in a clean, well-lit tanning salon.
Startup costC$15k to C$60k
Monthly revenueC$4k to C$20k
Time needed25+ h/week
First incomeMonths

Estimates for a small start in Canada, not guarantees.

What it is

A small studio with one or two sunbeds, a spray tan booth or room, and a reception area. Clients book individual appointments for sunbed or spray tan sessions.

Your first three steps

  1. Check your province and municipality rules for indoor tanning, including age limits, signage and equipment standards
  2. Price out a unit, sunbeds, spray booth and insurance, and test demand with local salons, gyms and bridal shops
  3. Write a simple business plan and talk to your bank or a small business lender about financing
Who pays

Adults wanting a tan before events or trips, regulars who book sessions through the colder months, and bridal or group clients.

How it makes money

Fees per session, with packages and memberships for regulars. Add retail sales of tanning lotions and aftercare products.

Skills that help
  • Customer service and safe-use explanations
  • Basic bookkeeping and managing a rented space
  • Cleaning and hygiene discipline
Watch out for
  • Provincial and municipal indoor tanning rules, which often restrict access for under 18s and may require warning signs or client records
  • Check equipment must meet Health Canada guidance and any local inspection requirements
  • Commercial general liability insurance and a business licence from your municipality
  • Skin cancer and health concerns around sunbeds, which affect reputation and may change rules
  • Seasonal swings in demand and high fixed costs like rent and electricity
  • WCB or WSIB coverage once you hire staff, rules vary by province

🔒 Full research report for Canada

Real cost breakdown with current prices, licences and registration checklist, local competition, pricing, break-even and a 30-day launch plan, with sources.

Coming soon

Questions people ask

How much does it cost to open a tanning studio in Canada?

Startup costs are estimated at typically around $15,000 to $60,000, depending on your equipment and premises. Fixed costs like rent and electricity continue after you open.

How much revenue can a tanning studio make?

Monthly revenue is estimated at typically around $4,000 to $20,000, depending on your location, number of beds and the season. Demand swings seasonally while fixed costs stay high.

What rules should I check before opening a tanning studio?

Check provincial and municipal indoor tanning rules, which often restrict access for under 18s and may require warning signs or client records. Also check equipment against Health Canada guidance and local inspections, and confirm liability insurance and your municipal business licence.

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