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Licenses · São Paulo City Hall

Operating Permit and Operating License

Obtaining or regularizing the license for the business to operate at the property, with a review of the site and the activity before the application.

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Quick answer

Operating permit and operating license in São Paulo at a glance

In São Paulo, the document that lets a business operate is the Operating License Document (Auto de Licença de Funcionamento, ALF). Low-risk activities can get the ALF online through Empreenda Fácil; all others apply at the Subprefeitura (district office). The ALF has no expiration date, but it becomes invalid if the address, the use or the company details change. Venues that hold 250 people or more need an Operating Permit (Alvará de Funcionamento).

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

Document
Operating License Document (ALF)
Source: SP156: obtaining the Operating License Document (Auto de Licença de Funcionamento, ALF)(opens in a new tab)
Low risk
Online, for a property of up to 1,500 m² or an activity of up to 500 m²
Source: SP156: obtaining the Operating License Document (Auto de Licença de Funcionamento, ALF)(opens in a new tab)
Issuance time
Up to 30 days with complete documentation
Source: SP156: obtaining the Operating License Document (Auto de Licença de Funcionamento, ALF)(opens in a new tab)
MEI
Activities exempt by law; the others have 60 days to get the license
Source: Law No. 15.031/2009 (MEI)(opens in a new tab)

What the operating license is

The operating license, which many people still call the operating permit (alvará de funcionamento), is City Hall's authorization for an activity to operate at a given property. It takes into account zoning, the type of activity, the condition of the building and the safety documents.

Many companies discover the problem after renting the location: the activity is not allowed on that street, the property has no Habite-se (certificate of occupancy) or the AVCB is missing. The license depends on all of this being in order.

That is why the analysis starts before the contract is signed. MTC checks the address, points out what the property is missing and handles the application through to issuance.

What MTC does

  • Zoning check

    We check whether the activity is allowed at the address.

  • Property review

    Habite-se, AVCB, AVS and the other required documents.

  • License application

    Preparing and filing the case with City Hall.

  • Resolving pending issues

    Follow-up until the license is issued.

Understand it in one image

Who clears your business to operate

  • City HallEvery non-residential use

    Operating License Document (ALF); Operating Permit (Alvará de Funcionamento) for 250 people or more.

  • Fire DepartmentDepending on the risk

    Low risk: exempt. Medium risk: CLCB. High risk: AVCB.

Your businessat the chosen address
  • Health Surveillance (Vigilância Sanitária)Some activities

    Only the activities in Annex I of Ordinance SMS.G 266/2025.

  • EnvironmentSome activities

    CETESB for the listed pollution sources; SVMA (the city's Green and Environment Department) for local impact.

Simplified diagram of Decree 49.969/2008, Fire Department Technical Instruction (IT) 42/2025 and Ordinance SMS.G 266/2025. The feasibility check shows the case for each address.

What City Hall checks before issuing the license

If one of these fails, the license is held up.
  1. 01 · ZoningWhether the activity is allowed at the address
  2. 02 · PropertyHabite-se and the condition of the building
  3. 03 · SafetyAVCB, CLCB or AVS, when required
  4. 04 · CompanyCNPJ and declared activities
When the license is usually requested:Opening a businessChange of addressNew activity at the locationEnforcementShopping mall requirementFranchise or public tender

Which license your activity needs

The City Hall license is usually only one of a company's licenses. Depending on the activity, the Fire Department, Health Surveillance (Vigilância Sanitária) and the environment also come into play.

AgencyWhat it may requireWhen
City HallWhat it may require:ALF; Operating Permit (Alvará de Funcionamento); Authorization Permit (Alvará de Autorização)When:Every non-residential use; Permit for 250 people or more; Authorization for events
Fire DepartmentWhat it may require:Exemption, CLCB or AVCBWhen:Depending on the risk level of the activity and the property
Health Surveillance (Vigilância Sanitária)What it may require:Health license (licença sanitária)When:Only the activities in Annex I of Ordinance SMS.G 266/2025
EnvironmentWhat it may require:CETESB or SVMA licenseWhen:Listed pollution sources and local-impact activities
Source: Decree No. 49.969/2008 (operating license)(opens in a new tab)

Why have an operating license

From an unlicensed business to a compliant business

Tap a problem to see how it is solved.

What happens without the license

Operating without a license usually works out until the first enforcement visit. After that, the situation escalates quickly. Even after a violation notice, the license can still be requested.

  1. 1

    Operating without a license

    The business opens before it has the license or changes address without applying for a new one.

    What can be done

    Do the zoning check and gather the property and safety documents.

  2. 2

    Enforcement and summons

    The inspector visits the site and demands that the license be shown.

    What can be done

    File the application and show its progress within the deadline.

  3. 3

    Fine

    Without the license, the business receives a violation notice.

    What can be done

    Correct the property's pending issues and complete the application.

  4. 4

    Sealed shut

    The establishment is closed until it is regularized.

    What can be done

    Issue the license and request that the seal be removed, with complete documentation.

Beyond enforcement: what a business without a license loses

In business

  • Lost customersLarge companies require suppliers who are in good standing.
  • Closed-off public tendersGovernment agencies ask for the license.

At the commercial premises

  • Contract terminatedMalls and landlords require the license.
  • Wasted investmentRenovating a location where the activity is not allowed.

In finances

  • Credit deniedBanks ask for documentation to be in order.
  • Devalued businessPending issues reduce the value of the business.

Opening a business or changing address? Check before you sign the contract.

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What the license brings to the business

  • Safe operation

    The business operates with no risk of being sealed shut.

  • Credibility

    Customers and partners trust a business that is in good standing.

  • Access to contracts

    Taking part in public tenders and supplying large companies.

  • Credit

    Makes it easier to get financing and credit lines for businesses.

  • Business value

    A compliant business is worth more in a sale or partnership.

  • Choosing the right location

    A prior review avoids renting an unsuitable property.

When it is needed

  • Opening a business
  • Change of address
  • New activity at the same location
  • Notice or fine from enforcement
  • Requirement from a client, franchise or mall

Documents that help you get started

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

  • CNPJ (company tax ID) and articles of incorporation
  • Description of the activities
  • Lease agreement or property record (matrícula)
  • Property IPTU
  • AVCB or CLCB, if available

How we handle your case

  1. 1

    Prior check

    Zoning and whether the activity is allowed at the address.

  2. 2

    Property review

    Building and safety documents.

  3. 3

    Pending issues

    Guidance on what needs to be regularized.

  4. 4

    Application

    Filing the license application with City Hall.

  5. Issuance

    Follow-up until the license is released.

Important
  • Do the check before signing the contract for the location.
  • Some activities require additional licenses, such as environmental or health licenses.
  • The property may need regularization before the application.

Questions about Operating Permit and Operating License

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

See all questions

If the activity is low risk, the application is made online, through Empreenda Fácil, and issuance may be automatic. In other cases, the application is made at the Subprefeitura or through Descomplica SP, with the documents listed in Decree 49.969/2008.

Source: SP156: obtaining the Operating License Document (Auto de Licença de Funcionamento, ALF) (opens in a new tab)

In the capital, the standard document is the Operating License Document (ALF). The Operating Permit (Alvará de Funcionamento) is for venues that hold 250 people or more, such as cinemas, temples, banquet halls and nightclubs. Temporary events need an Authorization Permit (Alvará de Autorização).

Source: Decree No. 49.969/2008 (operating license) (opens in a new tab)

The ALF does not have to be renewed on a set date. It becomes invalid if the property, the use or the company details change, such as the legal name and the CNPJ (company tax ID). The Operating Permit (Alvará de Funcionamento), on the other hand, must be revalidated every year.

Source: SP156: obtaining the Operating License Document (Auto de Licença de Funcionamento, ALF) (opens in a new tab)

Every non-residential use, before it starts operating. Simply filing the application does not authorize operation. There are exemptions, such as professional activity at home with up to 1 assistant, outside a strictly residential zone.

Source: Decree No. 49.969/2008 (operating license) (opens in a new tab)

It depends on the activity. Law 15.031/2009 exempts the activities listed in a decree; the others need the license within 60 days after municipal registration. The exemption does not apply in a strictly residential zone.

Source: Law No. 15.031/2009 (MEI) (opens in a new tab)

It is an activity with a CNAE (business activity code) listed in the low-risk decrees, in a property of up to 1,500 m² or occupying up to 500 m², that does not qualify as a traffic-generating hub (polo gerador de tráfego). The electronic application requires an ART or RRT (technical responsibility record).

Source: SP156: obtaining the Operating License Document (Auto de Licença de Funcionamento, ALF) (opens in a new tab)

Under the state rule, low risk is exempt, medium risk needs the CLCB (Fire Department License Certificate) and high risk needs the AVCB (Fire Department Inspection Certificate). In the capital, for buildings over 150 m², the ALF declarations must also be signed by a qualified professional.

Source: Decree No. 49.969/2008 (operating license) (opens in a new tab)

Only if the activity is listed in Annex I of Ordinance SMS.G 266/2025. An MEI only needs one if the activity is high risk and has a physical establishment.

Source: São Paulo City Hall (Health): health licensing (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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