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Safety and Fire Department · São Paulo City Hall

Safety Verification Certificate (AVS)

Technical guidance, drawings, ART and follow-up of the AVS (Safety Verification Certificate) at City Hall, for venues open to the public.

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Quick answer

Safety Verification Certificate (AVS) in São Paulo at a glance

The AVS (Safety Verification Certificate, or Auto de Verificação de Segurança) is the document from São Paulo's former Building Law (Law 11.228/1992) that proved existing buildings had been adapted to occupancy safety rules. Today that adaptation is proven by the Safety Certificate, and anyone who already has an AVS is exempt. Venues with more than 250 people also need the Assembly Venue Permit (Alvará de Local de Reunião).

Updated on by the MTC technical team, based on the rules cited on this page.

Origin
Former Building Law, Law 11.228/1992
Source: São Paulo City Hall (SMUL): Safety Verification Certificate (Auto de Verificação de Segurança)(opens in a new tab)
Today
Safety Certificate; anyone with an AVS is exempt
Source: Decree No. 57.776/2017, which regulates the Building Code(opens in a new tab)
Assembly venue
Above 250 people: Assembly Venue Permit
Source: São Paulo City Hall (SMUL): Operating Permit for Assembly Venues (Alvará de Funcionamento para Local de Reunião)(opens in a new tab)
Where to apply
Aprova Digital, with the TEV/COE fee
Source: São Paulo City Hall (SMUL): Safety Certificate(opens in a new tab)

What the AVS is

The AVS (Safety Verification Certificate, or Auto de Verificação de Segurança) is a São Paulo City Hall document, created by the former Building Law (Law 11.228/1992), that proved an adapted existing building met the special occupancy safety requirements.

Under the current Building Code (Law 16.642/2017), that adaptation is now proven by the Safety Certificate. Anyone who already has an AVS is exempt from applying for the new certificate, as provided in Decree 57.776/2017.

Assembly venues with an occupancy above 250 people, such as event venues, places of worship and theaters, also need the Operating Permit for Assembly Venues, with a Technical Safety Report. All of this is different from the AVCB, which is issued by the Fire Department and covers fire safety.

What MTC does

  • Classification analysis

    We check whether the activity and the occupancy require the AVS.

  • Occupancy calculation

    Audience capacity based on the area and use of the venue.

  • Technical documents with ART

    Floor plans and descriptive reports signed by a licensed professional.

  • Follow-up at City Hall

    Filing, responses to City Hall requirements and issuance of the document.

Understand it in one image

One venue open to the public, three documents

A venue that receives the public, such as an event venue, place of worship or theater
  • City Hall

    Safety Certificate

    Proves the adaptation of the existing building. It replaced the AVS; anyone who already has an AVS is exempt.

  • City Hall

    Assembly Venue Permit

    For an occupancy above 250 people, with a Technical Safety Report.

  • Fire Department

    AVCB

    Fire safety: technical project and Fire Department inspection.

Simplified diagram of Decree 57.776/2017 (art. 29) and of the City Hall pages on the AVS, the Safety Certificate and Assembly Venues.

What is checked on site

Each item is checked against the plans and in the space itself.
  1. 01 · OccupancyHow many people the space holds
  2. 02 · ExitsNumber, width and location
  3. 03 · CirculationCorridors, stairs and ramps
  4. 04 · AccessibilityAccess for people with disabilities
Venues that usually need these documents:Event venues and banquet hallsPlaces of worshipTheaters and movie theatersAuditoriumsGymsSchools

Which safety document your venue needs

The AVS, the Safety Certificate, the Assembly Venue Permit and the AVCB are mixed up all the time. Each has its own issuer and its own situation.

DocumentWho issues itWhen it applies
AVSWho issues it:City Hall (former law)When it applies:Already issued; valid as an exemption from the new certificate
Safety CertificateWho issues it:City Hall (CONTRU)When it applies:Existing non-residential building that needs protected circulation
Assembly Venue PermitWho issues it:City Hall (CONTRU)When it applies:Occupancy above 250 people
AVCBWho issues it:Fire DepartmentWhen it applies:Fire safety; above 750 m² it may replace the Safety Certificate
Source: Decree No. 57.776/2017, which regulates the Building Code(opens in a new tab)

Why have the AVS

From a venue without an AVS to a venue cleared for the public

Tap a problem to see how it is solved.

What happens without the AVS

Venues open to the public are among the most heavily inspected. The situation tends to get worse when the space keeps receiving the public without the document. Even after a citation, the application for the document can still be filed.

  1. 1

    Operating without an AVS

    The venue receives the public without the document, or with it expired.

    What can be done

    Start the classification, the occupancy calculation and the technical documents.

  2. 2

    Inspection with requirements

    City Hall points out adjustments needed in exits, circulation or accessibility.

    What can be done

    Make the adjustments and respond to the requirements within the deadline.

  3. 3

    Violation notice

    Inspectors impose a fine on the establishment.

    What can be done

    File the AVS application and show the progress.

  4. 4

    Closure

    The space is closed to the public.

    What can be done

    Complete the adjustments, obtain the AVS and request clearance.

What a venue without an AVS risks besides the fine

In running the business

  • Lost contractsPromoters and tenants ask for a regularized venue.
  • License blockedThe activity is not cleared without the AVS.

In public safety

  • Risk in emergenciesPoorly sized exits make evacuation harder.
  • Personal liabilityThose responsible are held liable in case of an accident.

In the venue's reputation

  • Customer trustCustomers avoid venues with a history of closure orders.
  • Insurance coverage questionedThe insurer may contest the coverage.

Does your space receive the public? Confirm whether you need the AVS.

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What the AVS brings to the establishment

  • Defined occupancy

    The venue knows how many people it can safely receive.

  • Regular operation

    A basis for the activity's operating license.

  • More contracts

    A space fit for events, rentals and partnerships.

  • Public safety

    Exits and circulation checked by a professional.

  • Business reputation

    Customers and partners trust a regularized venue.

  • Peace of mind during enforcement

    A document ready to present at inspections.

When it is needed

  • Event venues, shows and banquet halls
  • Places of worship
  • Theaters, movie theaters and auditoriums
  • Gyms, schools and sports centers
  • Operating license application for a venue open to the public

Documents that help you get started

You do not need all of them. The team will tell you what is missing.

  • Property record (matrícula) or property contract
  • Existing floor plan or design of the venue
  • Habite-se (certificate of occupancy) or certificate of completion, if any
  • CNPJ and description of the activity
  • AVCB or CLCB, if available

How we handle your case

  1. 1

    Initial analysis

    Activity, occupancy and classification of the venue.

  2. 2

    Survey

    Technical inspection and measurement of the existing space.

  3. 3

    Technical documents and ART

    Floor plans, occupancy calculation and technical responsibility.

  4. 4

    Adjustments

    Guidance on exits, circulation and other requirements.

  5. Filing

    Application at City Hall and follow-up until issuance.

Important
  • Whether the AVS is required depends on the venue's activity and occupancy.
  • Physical adjustments may be needed before issuance.
  • The AVS does not replace the Fire Department's AVCB.

Questions about the Safety Verification Certificate (AVS)

The questions that come to the team and show up in searches most often, with the answer and the source.

See all questions

It is the Auto de Verificação de Segurança (Safety Verification Certificate), a document under Law 11.228/1992 that proved an adapted existing building met the special occupancy safety requirements.

Source: São Paulo City Hall (SMUL): Safety Verification Certificate (Auto de Verificação de Segurança) (opens in a new tab)

Under the current Building Code (Código de Obras), the adaptation of an existing building is proven by the Safety Certificate. Anyone who already has the AVS does not need to apply for the new certificate.

Source: Decree No. 57.776/2017, which regulates the Building Code (opens in a new tab)

No. The AVS and the Safety Certificate come from City Hall; the AVCB comes from the Fire Department. In a non-residential building above 750 m², the AVCB may replace the Safety Certificate.

Source: Decree No. 57.776/2017, which regulates the Building Code (opens in a new tab)

It needs the Operating Permit for Assembly Venues (Alvará de Funcionamento para Local de Reunião), with a Technical Safety Report prepared by a civil engineer or architect and by an electrical engineer.

Source: São Paulo City Hall (SMUL): Operating Permit for Assembly Venues (Alvará de Funcionamento para Local de Reunião) (opens in a new tab)

Through City Hall's Aprova Digital. The TEV/COE fee is issued after filing.

Source: São Paulo City Hall (SMUL): Safety Certificate (opens in a new tab)

City Hall may order the person responsible to apply for the document within 5 days, under penalty of a fine.

Source: Decree No. 57.776/2017, which regulates the Building Code (opens in a new tab)

Legal basis and sources

Informational content, reviewed on October 22, 2026. The rules may change; the analysis of each case considers the rule in force on the date of the application. MTC is a private company, not affiliated with government agencies.

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