Licenses · CETESB and SVMA
Environmental licensing
Environmental cases before CETESB, SVMA and other competent agencies, from the classification analysis to the operating license.
Quick answer
Environmental licensing in São Paulo at a glance
In the State of São Paulo, CETESB (the state environmental agency) licenses the pollution sources listed in Decree 8.468/1976, and the capital (SVMA, the city's Green and Environment Department) licenses local-impact activities. Since February 4, 2026, the terms of the General Licensing Law (Law 15.190/2025) apply: Operation License from 5 to 10 years, and renewal requested at least 120 days in advance, which keeps the license valid until a decision is made.
Updated on by the MTC technical team, based on the rules cited on this page.
- Operation License
- 5 to 10 years for licenses issued since February 4, 2026 Source: CETESB Resolution No. 017/2026/P(opens in a new tab)
- Renewal
- Apply at least 120 days in advance Source: General Environmental Licensing Law, Law No. 15.190/2025(opens in a new tab)
- In the capital
- SVMA licenses local-impact activities Source: São Paulo City Hall (SVMA): municipal environmental licensing(opens in a new tab)
- Land use certificate
- No longer required by CETESB Source: CETESB Resolution No. 017/2026/P(opens in a new tab)
What environmental licensing is
Environmental licensing is the authorization from environmental agencies to install and operate activities that may cause impact, such as industries, storage depots, workshops and larger construction projects.
The impact may come from effluents, noise, emissions, waste or the use of hazardous products. That is why the agency evaluates the activity before it begins and monitors the operation through conditions and renewals.
In the State of São Paulo, the process is usually handled at CETESBSão Paulo State Environmental Company (Companhia Ambiental do Estado de São Paulo). It handles environmental licensing in the state. or, in some cases, at the city's Green and Environment Department. MTC determines the classification and follows each phase.
What MTC does
Classification
We check whether the activity requires a license and from which agency.
Studies and documents
Justification reports, spreadsheets and studies required by the agency.
License applications
Preliminary, installation and operation licenses.
Renewals
Tracking of deadlines and conditions.
Understand it in one image
The three licenses and when to renew
- LP
Preliminary License
Feasibility of the site and the activity
Valid for 3 to 6 years
- LI
Installation License
Authorizes construction and installation
Valid for 3 to 6 years
- LO
Operation License
Authorizes operation
Valid for 5 to 10 years
Renewing the Operation License
If requested at least 120 days in advance, the license remains valid until the agency makes its decision (Law 15.190/2025).
Environmental license terms in 2026
Law 15.190/2025 standardized the validity of licenses across the country, and CETESB applied the terms through Resolution 017/2026/P. Licenses issued before February 4, 2026 keep their original term.
| License | Validity |
|---|---|
| Preliminary License (LP) | 3 to 6 years |
| Installation License (LI) or LP and LI together | 3 to 6 years |
| Operation License (LO) or LI and LO together | 5 to 10 years |
| Adhesion and Commitment License (LAC) | 5 to 10 years, only after regulation |
| Renewal | Application at least 120 days in advance |
At CETESB, projects with a complexity factor W of 4.5 and 5 get a 5-year Operation License.
Source: CETESB Resolution No. 017/2026/P(opens in a new tab)Why get environmental licensing
From operating without a license to regular operation
Each card shows a common problem. Tap a problem to see how it is solved.
What happens without the environmental license
Environmental enforcement may start from a complaint, a routine inspection or a request from another agency. The consequences grow with the time of irregular operation. The sooner the activity enters licensing, the lighter the correction.
- 1
Operating without a license
The activity operates without a license or with an expired one.
What can be doneDetermine the classification and start the regularization application.
- 2
Inspection and requirements
The agency inspects and asks for documents or adjustments.
What can be doneRespond to the technical requirements within the deadline.
- 3
Violation notice
The company is fined for lacking a license or for causing impact.
What can be doneFile a defense where applicable and regularize the operation.
- 4
Embargo
The activity is suspended until it is regularized.
What can be doneMeet the requirements, obtain the license and request release.
Outside the environmental agencies, the problem shows up here
In business
- Lost contractsCustomers require licensed suppliers.
- Municipal license blockedCity Hall may ask for the environmental license.
In finances
- Credit deniedBanks check environmental compliance.
- Repair costsThe company may have to repair damage it caused.
On responsibility
- Criminal liabilityThe company and those responsible may be held liable.
- ReputationEnvironmental violation notices affect reputation.
License about to expire or received a requirement? Send a photo of the document.
Chat on WhatsAppWhat licensing brings to the business
Regular operation
The activity operates with authorization from the competent agency.
Access to credit
Makes financing and investment easier.
New contracts
Meets customer and tender requirements.
Planning
Conditions and deadlines stay organized.
Lower risk
Avoids fines, embargoes and liability.
Reputation
A company recognized as environmentally responsible.
When it is needed
- Industries, workshops and storage depots
- Installation of a new unit
- Expansion of the activity
- Renewal of an expired license
- Requirement from City Hall or from a customer
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 production process
- Property record (matrícula) or property contract
- Floor plan of the site
- Previous licenses, if any
How we handle your case
- 1
Classification
Activity, size and competent agency.
- 2
Studies
Required technical documents.
- 3
Preliminary license
Environmental feasibility of the project.
- 4
Installation license
Authorization to set up the project.
Operation license
Authorization to operate and tracking of renewals.
- Phases and documents vary according to the activity and size.
- Licenses have a validity period and conditions to be met.
- The timeline depends on the environmental agency's analysis.
Questions about Environmental licensing
The questions that come to the team and show up in searches most often, with the answer and the source.
See all questionsThe pollution sources listed in art. 57 of the state regulation, such as mineral extraction, the industries and services in Annex 5, abrasive blasting, and sanitation and waste systems. What falls outside the lists is not subject to licensing.
Source: State Decree No. 8.468/1976, as worded by Decree No. 47.397/2002 (opens in a new tab)Preliminary License (feasibility), Installation License and Operation License. At CETESB, the Preliminary License is usually issued together with the Installation License, except in cases with an environmental impact assessment.
Source: State Decree No. 8.468/1976, as worded by Decree No. 47.397/2002 (opens in a new tab)For licenses issued since February 4, 2026, 5 to 10 years; projects with a complexity factor W of 4.5 and 5 get 5 years. Licenses issued earlier keep their original term.
Source: CETESB Resolution No. 017/2026/P (opens in a new tab)By requesting renewal at least 120 days before expiration; this way, the license is extended until a decision is made. Renewal carries a new analysis fee.
Source: General Environmental Licensing Law, Law No. 15.190/2025 (opens in a new tab)The capital has been authorized to license local-impact activities, of low, medium and high impact, through SVMA. The other pollution sources listed in the state regulation remain with CETESB.
Source: São Paulo City Hall (SVMA): municipal environmental licensing (opens in a new tab)CETESB has the License Exemption Certificate (Certificado de Dispensa de Licença) and the Declaration of Activity Exempt from Licensing (Declaração de Atividade Isenta de Licenciamento), requested through the e-CETESB system.
Source: CETESB: Service Charter (Carta de Serviços) (opens in a new tab)Law 15.190/2025 took effect on February 4, 2026. CETESB no longer requires the municipal land use certificate, but the environmental license does not replace City Hall licenses. The Adhesion and Commitment License depends on regulation.
Source: CETESB Resolution No. 017/2026/P (opens in a new tab)Yes. Running a potentially polluting activity without a license from the environmental agency is a crime under art. 60 of Law 9.605/1998.
Source: Law No. 9.605/1998, art. 60 (opens in a new tab)Legal basis and sources
- State Decree No. 8.468/1976, as worded by Decree No. 47.397/2002(opens in a new tab)
- General Environmental Licensing Law, Law No. 15.190/2025(opens in a new tab)
- CETESB Resolution No. 017/2026/P(opens in a new tab)
- São Paulo City Hall (SVMA): municipal environmental licensing(opens in a new tab)
- Law No. 9.605/1998, art. 60(opens in a new tab)
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.
Related services
- Operating LicenseObtaining or regularizing the license for the business to operate at the property, with a review of the site and the activity before the application.See service
- Technical reports and attestationsTechnical reports, written reports, inspections and attestations for properties, businesses and administrative cases, prepared by a qualified professional.See service
- Technical responsibility: ARTART issued by qualified professionals registered with CREA, according to the technical service performed.See service