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Licenses · Subprefeitura

Sidewalk tables and chairs (TPU)

Sidewalk sketch, a layout within the rules and the Use Permit (Termo de Permissão de Uso) application at the Subprefeitura, so your bar or restaurant can serve on the sidewalk without losing tables to enforcement.

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Tables and chairs of a neighborhood bar lined up along the facade in the late afternoon, leaving the strip of Portuguese-style mosaic sidewalk clear for pedestrians

Quick answer

Sidewalk tables and chairs (TPU) in São Paulo at a glance

In São Paulo, bars, restaurants, cafés and bakeries can only place tables, chairs and awnings on the sidewalk with the Use Permit (Termo de Permissão de Uso, TPU), granted by the Subprefeitura. The sidewalk must keep at least 1.20 m clear for pedestrians, and the awning has height and width rules. Without a TPU, the tables are seized on the spot. MTC measures the sidewalk, draws the layout sketch and follows the application through to the TPU.

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

Document
Use Permit (Termo de Permissão de Uso, TPU)
Source: Decree No. 58.832/2019 (Use Permit for tables, chairs and awnings)(opens in a new tab)
Who authorizes it
The Subprefeito (district head) for the address
Source: Decree No. 58.832/2019 (Use Permit for tables, chairs and awnings)(opens in a new tab)
Clear path
At least 1.20 m for pedestrians
Source: Decree No. 58.832/2019 (Use Permit for tables, chairs and awnings)(opens in a new tab)
Without a TPU
Tables seized on the spot
Source: Decree No. 58.832/2019 (Use Permit for tables, chairs and awnings)(opens in a new tab)

What the TPU for tables and chairs is

To place tables, chairs and an awning on the sidewalk in front of the establishment, bars, restaurants, snack bars, cafés and bakeries need the Use Permit (Termo de Permissão de Uso, TPU). In São Paulo, it is granted by the Subprefeitura (district office) for the address, under the rules of Law 12.002/1996 and Decree 58.832/2019.

The TPU states how many tables and chairs can be on the sidewalk and requires a clear path of at least 1.20 m for pedestrians. Without it, or with extra tables, inspectors remove and seize the furniture on the spot, in addition to the fine. Anyone who has a TPU and breaks the rules is also fined, and repeating the violation within 12 months costs the permit.

MTC measures the sidewalk and its surroundings, draws the sketch with the layout that fits the rules, checks the operating license and the company's registration, and follows the application at the Subprefeitura until the TPU is issued.

What MTC does

  • Sidewalk measurement

    Width, poles, trees, curb cuts and corner.

  • Layout sketch

    Tables, chairs, awning and clear path within the rules.

  • Company check

    Operating License, CCM and address that match the application.

  • Application and follow-up

    Filing at the Subprefeitura, requirements and TPU issued.

Understand it in one image

Where tables can go on the sidewalk

BARgarageretractable awninggarage entrancekept clearclear path1.20 m or moretrees and polesSTREETSidewalk wider than 2.40 m:clear path of at least half the width
  1. 1The tables stay along the facade, in front of the establishment itself.
  2. 2A 0.10 m yellow strip marks the edge of the table area.
  3. 3Between the tables and the curb, at least 1.20 m clear for pedestrians.
  4. 4In front of the garage, the sidewalk stays clear. The awning is retractable and sits 3 m high or more.
Illustrative diagram, not to scale, based on Decree 58.832/2019 (art. 2) and Decree 59.671/2020 (sidewalk standards). Corners, bus stops and crosswalks have their own restrictions.

What the Subprefeitura checks on the sidewalk

If one item fails, the tables cannot stay.
  1. 01 · Clear path1.20 m clear for pedestrians
  2. 02 · CornerUnobstructed view for drivers
  3. 03 · GaragesVehicle access kept clear
  4. 04 · AwningRetractable, 3 m high or more
Who usually applies:Bar and pubRestaurantCafé and pastry shopBakerySnack barPizzeria and burger restaurant

What the sidewalk needs to have to take tables

This is what the Subprefeitura's inspectors check on site. MTC puts all of this into the sketch before the application.

ItemRule
Clear path1.20 m clear for pedestrians: 1.10 m plus 0.10 m painted yellow
Sidewalk wider than 2.40 mClear path of at least half the width
CornerWithout blocking drivers' view; awnings are prohibited at the corner
GarageWithout blocking vehicle access
CrosswalkOccupying the sidewalk nearby is prohibited
AwningRetractable, 3 m high or more, without side enclosures, covering up to 50% of the sidewalk width
Number of tablesOnly what is in the TPU; anything beyond that is seized
Neighbor's sidewalkOnly with the neighbor's express authorization and at the Subprefeitura's discretion
ProhibitedSound systems, TVs, big screens, kiosks, fixed railings and unauthorized signs

Poles, trees, storm drains and curb cuts change the calculation for each sidewalk. That is why the sketch is measured on site.

Source: Decree No. 58.832/2019 (Use Permit for tables, chairs and awnings)(opens in a new tab)

Why have the TPU

From seized tables to a sidewalk that brings in revenue

Tap a problem to see how it is solved.

What happens to tables outside the rules

Enforcement is carried out by the Subprefeitura on site, often during busy hours. Without a TPU, the tables are removed from the sidewalk on the spot; with a TPU, each breach becomes a fine, and repeating the violation costs the permit.

  1. 1

    Fine

    With a TPU: R$ 4,885 for blocking the clear path or the corner and R$ 3,257 for awning, sound or cleaning violations, 2019 amounts adjusted for inflation.

    What can be done

    A defense within the deadline and the layout brought in line with the sketch.

  2. 2

    Revocation

    The same violation within 12 months revokes the TPU. A new one only after 1 year.

    What can be done

    Keep the layout the same as the one authorized.

  3. 3

    Seizure

    Without a TPU, or with extra tables, the furniture is removed on the spot, with a fine.

    What can be done

    Request the return and regularize with the TPU.

  4. 4

    Auction

    Seized tables that are not claimed within 30 days go to auction.

    What can be done

    Request the return within the deadline.

Beyond the Subprefeitura: what an irregular sidewalk costs

In customer flow

  • Fewer seatsTables taken away on the busiest day.
  • Seizure in full viewCarried out in front of customers.

In the neighborhood

  • ComplaintsA blocked sidewalk leads to an inspection.
  • Upset neighborUsing the neighbor's sidewalk without authorization results in a fine.

In finances

  • Fine and storage feesTo get the tables back.
  • Furniture lostIf not claimed within 30 days, it goes to auction.

Opening a business, want more tables or had your furniture seized? Contact MTC.

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What the TPU brings to your business

  • More seats

    The sidewalk becomes a service area.

  • Tables secured

    The authorized number is written in the TPU.

  • Smooth inspections

    Sketch and documents ready on site.

  • Awning within the rules

    Shade for customers, without fines.

  • Good neighbors

    Clear passage for people walking by.

  • A basis for the parking space

    The TPU opens the way to using the parking space in front.

When it is needed

  • Opening a bar, restaurant, café or bakery
  • Tables on the sidewalk without a TPU
  • Tables seized or a fine from the Subprefeitura
  • A new awning or more tables than allowed
  • Using the neighbor's sidewalk
  • Interest in also using the parking space in front

Documents that help you get started

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

  • Address and photos of the sidewalk
  • CNPJ, articles of incorporation and CCM
  • Operating License for the address
  • Intended number of tables and chairs
  • Neighbor's authorization, if using their sidewalk
  • Fine or seizure notice, if any

How we handle your case

  1. 1

    Site review

    Sidewalk, corner, garages and crosswalk.

  2. 2

    Sketch

    Measurements, tables, chairs, awning and clear path.

  3. 3

    Check

    License, CCM and company documents.

  4. 4

    Application

    Filing at the Subprefeitura and answers to requirements.

  5. TPU issued

    Tables and chairs authorized on the sidewalk.

Important
  • The TPU depends on the operating license for the same address.
  • There is an annual public fee, calculated by the area occupied, according to the rule in force that year.
  • Sound systems, TVs and big screens on the sidewalk are prohibited, even with a TPU.
  • A parklet and the use of the parking space (Espaço Legal) are separate applications.

Questions about sidewalk tables and chairs (TPU)

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

See all questions

Yes. Bars, restaurants, snack bars and similar businesses can only use the sidewalk in front with the Use Permit (Termo de Permissão de Uso, TPU), granted by the Subprefeitura. Without it, tables, chairs and awnings are removed and seized on the spot, and the establishment is fined.

Source: Decree No. 58.832/2019 (Use Permit for tables, chairs and awnings) (opens in a new tab)

At least 1.20 m clear for pedestrians: 1.10 m plus a 0.10 m yellow strip painted on the ground. If the sidewalk is wider than 2.40 m, the clear path must be at least half the width.

Source: Decree No. 59.671/2020 (sidewalk standards) (opens in a new tab)

Yes. The decree requires the establishment's operating license, at the same address, as well as the CCM and the CNPJ. With a conditional license, if the license expires, the TPU must be revoked.

Source: Decree No. 58.832/2019 (Use Permit for tables, chairs and awnings) (opens in a new tab)

Yes, if it is retractable and removable, installed on the facade at a height of 3 m or more, with no side enclosure, away from the corner and covering up to 50% of the sidewalk width. Umbrellas and covers outside these rules are prohibited.

Source: Decree No. 58.832/2019 (Use Permit for tables, chairs and awnings) (opens in a new tab)

Without a TPU, the tables are seized on the spot and the fine under the urban cleaning law applies: R$ 3,000, adjusted by the IPCA (national inflation index). Those who have a TPU and break the rules pay R$ 4,885 or R$ 3,257 (2019 values, adjusted by the IPCA), and a repeat offense within 12 months leads to revocation.

Source: Law No. 13.478/2002 (urban cleaning; fine for objects on the sidewalk) (opens in a new tab)

The request for their return goes to the Subprefeitura's enforcement team, with payment of the seizure, transport and storage costs and of the fine. If the items are not claimed within 30 days, they are considered abandoned and go to auction.

Source: Decree No. 58.832/2019 (Use Permit for tables, chairs and awnings) (opens in a new tab)

Through Espaço Legal, with its own TPU, only in parking spaces parallel to the sidewalk that the Subprefeitura has cleared, on streets with a speed limit of up to 40 km/h. It requires a technical manager with an ART or RRT, and the establishment can only use the sidewalk if it also has the TPU for tables. A parklet is something else: it is public and cannot be used only by the bar.

Source: Decree No. 63.560/2024 (Espaço Legal, use of the parking space) (opens in a new tab)

Until the establishment's closing time. Businesses that sell alcoholic beverages and operate with open doors, a terrace or a similar space cannot operate between 1 a.m. and 5 a.m. without acoustic adaptation.

Source: Zoning Law, Law No. 16.402/2016 (opens in a new tab)

Legal basis and sources

Informational content, reviewed on November 11, 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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