When is an accessibility report required in Brazil? What to check

Does every property need the same report?

There is no single answer based only on a property's description. An accessibility report may be required under licensing procedures, sector-specific rules, enforcement requirements or contracts. Identify the basis of the request, the building's use and the applicable procedure.

This does not mean accessibility matters only after a notice arrives. Duties to provide accessible conditions may exist independently of submitting a document with this title. A report records an assessment; it does not carry out adaptations.

To define an assessment suited to your objective, explore our accessibility report service and explain the context of your request.

What does the Brazilian Inclusion Law require of buildings?

Article 56 of Law No. 13,146/2015 addresses accessibility when constructing, refurbishing, extending or changing the use of buildings open to the public, public-use buildings and private buildings for collective use. Article 57 covers existing public and private collective-use buildings.

The law also provides for attesting compliance with accessibility rules in the procedures identified in Article 56, paragraph 2. The required documentation must be checked with the competent authority. It is not appropriate to conclude that every establishment in every city submits exactly the same form or report.

In practice, an entrance ramp or a toilet labelled accessible does not alone demonstrate compliance throughout a building. Assessment connects spaces and their conditions of use.

Licensing and sector rules: where should you check?

Check municipal procedures and those of the authority responsible for the activity. Identify whether the request concerns operations, construction, a change of use, sector authorisation or another purpose. Requirements must be read in the context of the process.

As a sector-specific example, Rio de Janeiro's school inspectorate procedure for supplementary entrances mentions building safety and accessibility reports and professional responsibility. This does not create a nationwide rule for every school or business.

For a licensing request, see our accessibility report for licensing. For educational institutions, see also the school accessibility report guide.

Are there specific requirements for federal public buildings?

Yes. Decree No. 11,792/2023 concerns buildings administered or used by Brazil's direct federal administration, federal agencies and public foundations. This is a defined context, not every public building in the country.

Within that framework, Joint Ordinance MGI/MDHC No. 45/2024 regulates assessment procedures and provides for an individual report for each building administered or used. The applicable framework and other duties must be checked against the rule and the authority's circumstances.

Have you received a notice or contractual requirement?

Keep the complete request and identify who issued it, the property, purpose and stated deadlines. Do not reduce a requirement for physical adaptations to a paperwork exercise. Assessment, design, construction and evidence may need to be combined, depending on the case.

For contracts, check the clauses and reference documents. A contractual requirement does not automatically become an identical legal duty for other properties. If the request concerns conformity after construction, see the purpose of an accessibility conformity report.

How should you define the service before hiring?

Provide the city, building use, property characteristics and request received. The proposal should clarify assessment coverage, survey work, deliverables, professional responsibility and limits. Check who can issue the report and how to verify ART and RRT.

Do not expect a favourable conclusion before assessment. Barriers need to be recorded and addressed. A report can guide the next steps but does not guarantee a licence or replace necessary corrective work.