Operating License
Does an event with more than 250 people in São Paulo need a permit? See when
In São Paulo, an event open to the public with more than 250 people requires the City Hall Authorization Permit (Alvará de Autorização), requested at least 30 days in advance. For an event in early December, the application must be filed in the first days of November.
- A public, temporary event with more than 250 people needs an Authorization Permit (Alvará de Autorização).
- The application must be submitted at least 30 days in advance.
- The permit is valid for up to 6 months and can be extended once.
By MTC Serviços editorial team2 min read
Under Municipal Decree No. 49.969/2008, a public, temporary event with more than 250 people requires an Authorization Permit (Alvará de Autorização) from São Paulo City Hall. The rule applies to events on public or private property, in buildings and their outdoor areas, such as parking lots and recreation areas, on vacant lots and on streets, squares and parks.
For the decree, a public event is one aimed at the public, with or without ticket sales, and a temporary event is one held in a limited period or with a set end date. The requirement applies to events by private parties as well as those of the public administration.
When a permit is not needed
Events are exempt if held at venues that already have a valid Operating Permit (Alvará de Funcionamento) as an assembly venue, as long as the public uses only the areas already licensed, maximum capacity is controlled, and the venue has not changed or received temporary structures.
Deadline and documents
The application must be filed at least 30 days before the event date. The documents include the event description, the floor plans, the capacity and crowd-flow calculation signed by a licensed professional, the contract with a security company, the letter to the Military Police and the approvals of the CET (the city traffic agency) and other agencies, as the case may be.
The decree also requires technical attestations or commitment statements, with an ART, on the stability of stages, covers and grandstands, the electrical installations and grounding, the fire safety system and fire brigade, accessibility, and noise limits.
The Authorization Permit is valid for up to 6 months and can be extended only once, for the same period. If the activity continues at the venue after that, the person responsible is notified to apply for the Operating Permit. The application is made through the online service of the Municipal Urban Planning and Licensing Department (SMUL).
What this changes for you
- For an event in early December, the application must be filed in the first days of November.
- Before booking the space, ask whether it has a valid Operating Permit as an assembly venue and what its capacity is.
- Stage, covers and electrical installation require a technical attestation with an ART: hire the professionals in advance.
Want to know how this applies to your property or business? MTC reviews it before any proposal.
Chat on WhatsAppSources
- Municipal Legislation Catalog: Decree No. 49.969/2008 (arts. 5, 24 and 42)(opens in a new tab)
- São Paulo City Hall (SMUL): Authorization Permit for Temporary Events(opens in a new tab)
- São Paulo City Hall (SMUL): renewal of the Authorization Permit(opens in a new tab)
Informational text, based on official acts and publications. The ads on this page are for MTC's own services. To find out how this applies to your property or business, talk to the MTC technical team.
