Permitting

Our Permitting Practice provides comprehensive legal support to local and international clients in obtaining and maintaining all required authorizations to operate legally in Costa Rica. We assist companies across a wide range of industries in navigating the permitting process from initial planning through full operational readiness, ensuring that all regulatory requirements are met efficiently and in accordance with applicable laws. 

We understand that permitting in Costa Rica involves multiple authorities and a sequential process that must be carefully coordinated. Our team provides practical, business-oriented guidance on key operational permits, including zoning certificates (uso de suelo), health or sanitary permits (permiso sanitario de funcionamiento), and municipal operation permits (patente municipal), as well as employer registrations before the Costa Rican Social Security Agency (CCSS) and the procurement of workers’ compensation insurance. We work closely with our clients to align these requirements with their operational timelines, minimizing delays and facilitating a smooth launch of their activities. 

Our approach is proactive and detail-oriented. We assist in identifying and coordinating any additional technical or regulatory requirements that may arise during the permitting process, including those that may depend on the nature of the business or the criteria of the relevant authorities. We also provide ongoing support to ensure that permits and registrations remain in force, including monitoring expiration dates of permits subject to renewal, and alerting our clients in a timely manner so that renewals can be processed without interruption to operations.

We act as strategic partners to our clients, coordinating with authorities, consultants, and other stakeholders to streamline the permitting process and reduce regulatory risk. Our goal is to provide clarity, efficiency, and legal certainty, allowing our clients to focus on their core business while we ensure that all permitting requirements are properly managed.

Our services include, among others:

  • Advisory on permitting requirements and regulatory strategy. 
  • Processing of zoning certificates (uso de suelo). 
  • Application and follow-up of health/sanitary permits. 
  • Application and renewal of municipal operation permits. 
  • Employer registration before the Costa Rican Social Security Agency (CCSS). 
  • Procurement of workers’ compensation insurance (póliza de riesgos profesionales). 
  • Coordination of additional technical requirements (emergency plans, occupational health, waste management, among others) with third party experts. 
  • Monitoring of permit validity and renewal deadlines, including client alerts and follow-up. 
  • Ongoing permitting and regulatory compliance support.
  • Special expertise and planning particular to free trade zone operations.

 

Legal Updates

NEW REGULATIONS ON OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH IN COSTA RICA

Latest change to the Costa Rican labor law: licenses to attend summons at the Ministry of Labor

Obligation to register an email address for notification purposes in Costa Rican companies

Protect your brand and trade name! The importance of registering a trade name before the Costa Rican Intellectual Property Registry.

New regulation on breastfeeding spaces in workplaces in Costa Rica

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Every client is a priority. Every matter, regardless of size or complexity, receives thoughtful strategy, timely execution, and direct partner attention.