New rates for the operating license in San Salvador Centro, El Salvador
The Municipality of San Salvador Centro has published in the Official Gazette the new Regulatory Ordinance for the Issuance of Operating Licenses for commercial, industrial, and service activities, applicable to businesses located in this area of the city.
Prequalification and temporary opening license
For those starting new business activities, it will be necessary to process a prequalification, which costs US $18.00. This process includes an administrative, technical, and field evaluation to determine if the business can receive the corresponding license.
Subsequently, to obtain a temporary opening license, the cost will be US $600.00. This license is valid for one year and can be issued at any time during the year. It is important to note that temporary licenses are non-renewable.
Additionally, applicants must meet certain requirements, including being in good standing with the municipality and providing documentation such as the Unique Identity Document (DUI) and payment of the corresponding fees.
The application must be submitted at the Business Attention Point (PAE). If any document is incomplete or incorrect, a 10-day period will be given to correct the issue. If the required documents are not submitted within this time, the application will be archived.
Operating license fees
The fees for obtaining an operating license vary depending on the type of activity:
- US $18.00: Prequalification.
- US $600.00: Temporary opening license.
- US $365.00: Sale of motor vehicles, sale of parts for machinery and equipment, sale and repair of tires, warehouses, carpentry workshops, household repair workshops, car wash centers, scrap buying and selling, wood buying and selling, recycling material buying and selling, nurseries, veterinary clinics and/or pet grooming, pet stores, industries, variety markets, saunas and therapeutic massage centers, private educational institutions.
- US $730.00: Temporary accommodation services, propane gas sales points, restaurants and cafeterias, funeral homes, sports facility rentals, automotive parts sales, mechanical workshops.
- US $2,190.00: Children’s and teen entertainment centers, show bars, adult entertainment rooms, nightclubs, club bars, discotheques, private social clubs, gas stations, movie theaters, supermarkets.
- US $12,775.00: Adult gaming rooms or bingo halls (35 minimum wages in the commercial sector).
Revocation and cancellation of licenses
The ordinance also establishes that the license can be revoked by the municipality if it is found that the business is not carrying out the authorized activities, is committing violations or crimes, or due to a court order. Additionally, if a temporary license is to be canceled, a fee of US $600.00 must be paid.
Mauricio Orellana
mauricio.orellana@garciabodan.com
Partner
García & Bodán
El Salvador