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Safety and Fire Department · São Paulo City Hall

Safety Certificate

Analysis and adaptation of existing buildings to the conditions of safe use required by municipal law.

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Emergency stairway with a handrail, strips on the steps and a fire door

Quick answer

Safety Certificate in São Paulo at a glance

The Safety Certificate is the São Paulo City Hall document that proves an existing building has been adapted to occupancy safety conditions, such as protected stairs, ramps and corridors. It applies to non-residential buildings with no AVS or earlier certificate; residential buildings are excluded. Above 750 m², the AVCB may replace it.

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

Basis
Building Code, art. 43
Source: Building Code (Código de Obras e Edificações), Law No. 16.642/2017(opens in a new tab)
Not required
Residential buildings and anyone who already has an AVS
Source: Decree No. 57.776/2017, which regulates the Building Code(opens in a new tab)
Above 750 m²
Non-residential: the AVCB may replace the certificate
Source: Decree No. 57.776/2017, which regulates the Building Code(opens in a new tab)
Agency
SMUL/CONTRU, applied for through Aprova Digital
Source: São Paulo City Hall (SMUL): Safety Certificate(opens in a new tab)

What the Safety Certificate is

The Safety Certificate is the City Hall document for existing buildings that must prove they are adapted to occupancy safety conditions, such as exits, stairs and protected circulation. The application also includes the Accessibility Certificate.

It is usually required of older buildings, built before the current rules, and of properties that changed use. A residential building that starts housing offices, for example, must adapt to the new use.

MTC inspects the building, defines what needs to be adapted, prepares the technical documents and follows the application through to the issuance of the certificate.

What MTC does

  • Building inspection

    Survey of the current occupancy safety conditions.

  • Adaptation plan

    List of what needs to be adjusted, in order of priority.

  • Technical documents and ART

    Floor plans and reports signed by a licensed professional.

  • Follow-up

    Filing at City Hall until the certificate is issued.

Understand it in one image

What protected circulation is

STREETProtectedstairsFiredooron each floorExitCorridor to the stairs
  1. 1Whoever is on the floor follows the corridor to the stairs.
  2. 2A fire door separates the stairs from the floor, so smoke cannot get in.
  3. 3The protected stairs take everyone to the exit on the ground floor.
  4. 4Above 750 m², in non-residential use, the AVCB may replace the certificate.
Illustrative diagram. The Safety Certificate assesses the adaptation of the existing building, such as stairs, ramps and protected corridors (Building Code, art. 43).

What is checked in the existing building

The adaptation considers the age, use and structure of the building.
  1. 01 · StairsWidth, handrails and protection
  2. 02 · ExitsRoutes to the public street
  3. 03 · CirculationCorridors and common areas
  4. 04 · AccessibilityAccess for people with disabilities
Situations that most often lead to the certificate:Older building in useChange of useNotification from City HallLicense applicationBuilding renovationCommercial sale or lease

Is your building exempt from the Safety Certificate?

Decree 57.776/2017 lists who does not need to apply. Check in order: if your case falls under one of the first items, the certificate is not required.

  1. 1The building is residential

    Exempt from the certificate.

  2. 2Was approved after June 20, 1975, has a Certificate of Completion and has not changed

    Exempt, if there was no physical change or change of use.

  3. 3Already has an AVS

    Exempt: the AVS is valid in place of the certificate.

  4. 4It is non-residential with more than 750 m²

    The certificate may be replaced by the Fire Department's AVCB.

  5. 5None of the cases above

    You need to apply for the Safety Certificate, with a Technical Safety Report and installation attestations.

The City Hall page uses a different cutoff date (completion after February 7, 1974). The analysis confirms the rule that applies to your property.

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

Why have the Safety Certificate

From an outdated building to an adapted building

Tap a problem to see how it is solved.

What happens without the certificate

Older buildings often operate for years without the certificate, until an inspection, a license application or a sale reveals the issue. Once the issue is found, the application can still be filed.

  1. 1

    Pending issue discovered

    An inspection, a license or a sale reveals that the building needs the certificate.

    What can be done

    Carry out the technical inspection and put together the adaptation plan.

  2. 2

    Notification

    City Hall requires the adaptation within a deadline.

    What can be done

    Respond within the deadline with the schedule of adaptations.

  3. 3

    Violation notice

    Without a response, the building is fined.

    What can be done

    File the application and show the progress of the work.

  4. 4

    Closure

    Floors or the whole building have restricted use.

    What can be done

    Complete the adaptations and request clearance with the certificate.

Where the lack of a Safety Certificate shows up

For the occupants

  • Licenses deniedCompanies in the building cannot operate regularly.
  • Contracts terminatedTenants leave properties with pending issues.

In safety

  • Risk to peopleInadequate exits increase the risk in emergencies.
  • Building manager's liabilityThe condominium answers for the common areas.

In property value

  • Loss of valueA property with a pending issue attracts fewer interested parties.
  • Slower saleBuyers demand that the situation be resolved.

Older building or changed use? Check whether you need the certificate.

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What the certificate brings to the building

  • Updated building

    The building meets the occupancy safety rules.

  • Occupancy cleared

    Companies and residents use the property without restriction.

  • Value preserved

    A regular property keeps its sale and rental value.

  • Lower risk

    Adequate exits and circulation protect the people in the building.

  • Basis for other documents

    Makes the AVCB, AVS and operating license easier.

  • Condominium management

    A building manager (síndico) with technical documentation for decisions about building work.

When it is needed

  • Older buildings in use
  • Change of use of the property
  • Notification from City Hall
  • Operating license application
  • Renovation or adaptation of the building

Documents that help you get started

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

  • Property record (matrícula)
  • Approved or existing floor plan
  • Habite-se (certificate of occupancy), if any
  • Notification received, if any
  • AVCB and installation attestations, if any

How we handle your case

  1. 1

    Initial analysis

    Building situation and applicable requirements.

  2. 2

    Inspection

    Technical survey on site.

  3. 3

    Adaptation plan

    What to adjust and in what order.

  4. 4

    Documents and ART

    Floor plans, descriptive reports and technical responsibility.

  5. Filing

    Application and follow-up until issuance.

Important
  • The adaptations needed depend on the building's age, use and structure.
  • Some work may require its own permit.
  • The timeline depends on City Hall and on the adaptations.

Questions about the Safety Certificate

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 document that proves an existing building has been adapted to occupancy safety conditions, focusing on protected circulation and fire safety for the building's use.

Source: Building Code (Código de Obras e Edificações), Law No. 16.642/2017 (opens in a new tab)

It does if it is an existing building that needs protected stairs, ramps or corridors and has no AVS or valid earlier certificate.

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

No. Decree 57.776/2017 leaves residential buildings outside this requirement.

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

No, if it was approved after June 20, 1975, has a Completion Record (Auto de Conclusão) or Certificate of Completion, and has had no physical change or change of use.

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

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

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

Technical Safety Report, floor plans showing the equipment, descriptive report and work schedule, the Accessibility Certificate or its filing receipt, and attestations with ART or RRT for the installations, such as electrical, lightning protection, gas, generator and elevators.

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

The owner or possessor, through Aprova Digital. The case is opened after the TEV/COE fee is paid.

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: Building Code (Código de Obras e Edificações), Law No. 16.642/2017 (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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