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Municipal Decree Expands Oversight on Ipojuca’s Beaches After Violence Incident, Reinforces Ban on Minimum Consumption and Tied Sales, Provides Administrative Penalties for Illegal Stalls, and Reaffirms Rights Under Consumer Protection Code.
The Municipality of Ipojuca, located in the southern coast of Pernambuco, issued a decree banning the charging of minimum consumption and the practice of tied sales in stalls and establishments set up on the municipality’s beaches, including Porto de Galinhas, Cupê, Muro Alto, and Maracaípe.
The regulation establishes administrative sanctions that may vary from warnings and temporary suspensions to revocation of the operation permit, depending on the severity and recurrence of the confirmed infractions.
The decree was published following the fallout from an aggression incident involving tourists and workers at a stall along the beach in Porto de Galinhas during a dispute over charges for chairs and sun umbrellas.
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Ipojuca City Hall Decree Reinforces Rules for Stall Operations
The document identified by the municipal administration as Decree No. 149/2025 reinforces, at the local level, prohibitions already established in federal consumer protection legislation, such as requiring a minimum purchase amount for a customer to remain on the premises.
Additionally, the decree forbids the charging of fees, fines, or “occupation” fees when no products or services have been consumed.
Any form of conditioning, such as requiring the purchase of food or drinks in order to use chairs and sun umbrellas, is also prohibited, characterized as tied sales.
According to the city hall, stalls are still permitted to charge for rental items, such as chairs and sun umbrellas.
In these cases, the charge must be made with prior notice, clearly stated prices, and amounts compatible with the services offered.
The municipality also clarifies that consumers can remain on the sand, use their own equipment, and choose to rent only if they agree in advance to the stated price.
Consumer Protection Agency Points Out Illegality of Minimum Consumption
The municipal decree aligns with understandings already consolidated by consumer protection agencies.
According to Procon of Pernambuco, the charging of minimum consumption is deemed illegal under the Consumer Protection Code, as is the tied sale of products or services.
In guidelines already published by the agency, consumers should only pay for what they actually consume, with no spending quotas imposed for remaining on-site.
At the state level, the Legislative Assembly of Pernambuco also published informative content in 2025 reinforcing that there is no legal backing for charging minimum consumption in commercial establishments in the state.
Incident of Aggression in Porto de Galinhas Preceded the Publication of the Decree
The adoption of the new rules followed a case reported in Porto de Galinhas on December 27, 2025.
On that occasion, a couple of tourists from Mato Grosso reported having been assaulted after a disagreement with stall workers over the fee charged for using chairs and sun umbrellas.
According to information released in reports, the initial price mentioned was R$ 50, but it was raised to R$ 80 at the time of billing.
The discrepancy around the amount is said to have sparked the discussion that preceded the aggression.
Videos captured by witnesses show the altercation and circulated on social media.
The case gained traction during the peak season, when tourist flow in the region is at its highest.
Inspections and Administrative Measures Taken by the City Hall
Following the incident, the Municipality of Ipojuca announced that it intensified actions for organization, oversight, and consumer protection on the city’s beaches.
According to a report released by the administration, teams operated between December 29 and January 4.
During this period, 88 stalls were summoned to update mandatory information, such as menus and price lists.
Another 26 received notifications to correct irregularities related to consumption standards.
Additionally, one stall had its activities suspended for seven days.
Moreover, 14 waiters and assistants were dismissed due to irregularities identified during inspections.
The municipal administration stated that the oversight actions will be ongoing, with increased focus during busier tourist periods.
In an official statement, the Municipality of Ipojuca said it has been conducting operations to curb practices deemed abusive and ensure compliance with legislation.
In the same communication, the municipal tourism secretary, Deomaci Ramos, declared: “We are working day and night to ensure everything operates and meets the needs and expectations of visitors and residents, and that Porto de Galinhas continues to be the paradise that enchants the world.”
Impact of the New Rules on Consumers and Merchants
With the publication of the decree, not only the charges for minimum consumption are deemed irregular, but also other requirements that condition access to services to the purchase of products.
This includes situations where the customer is informed of charges only after using chairs or sun umbrellas.
Cases where staying in a particular area of the stall depends on mandatory consumption are also included.
According to the city hall and Procon, the main guidance is to ensure transparency in information to the consumer before using any service.
If there is a rental charge, the price must be disclosed in advance. When there is no consumption, no additional fee may be applied.
If there are indications of tied sales, the consumer can register a complaint with the oversight authorities.
In announcing the decree, the municipal government emphasized that the revocation of the permit is the most severe penalty provided.
The application of this measure will depend on the investigation of each case and the recurrence of infractions.
With the expansion of inspections and the enforcement of the new rules, how will the stalls adapt and how will oversight authorities act on the busiest beaches in Ipojuca?
Taí, conseguiram abrir a caixa de Pandora e atraírem toda atenção para eles! Onde está a Maura, a horrenda proprietária daquela barraca mas parece uma gangster.
E a tal advogada do sindicato que disse que agora os consumidores estão querendo cantar de galo em Porto de Galinhas e não querem pagar nada.
Nunca pisei e nunca pisarei meus pés nesse lugar.
O Brasil tem uma faixa litorânea enorme para as pessoas sequer contemplarem visitar esse lugar.
É óbvio que a culpa pelo fato ocorrido é exclusiva da prefeitura de Ipojuca! É ela que concede a concessão para o funcionamento da barraca! O que deveria ocorrer na realidade era retirar da faixa de areia da praia esses barraqueiros que só trazem prejuízos a sociedade! Prova disso são as inúmeras reclamações de abuso na cobrança e na utilização dessas mesas e cadeiras que só apagam o visual do local. Isso deveria ser feito pela prefeitura, onde deveria dar a concessão de funcionamento fora da faixa de areia, por isso imputo a culpa pelo ocorrido a prefeitura de Ipojuca!
Vou a praia desde de 2015, Espírito Santo (praia do morro),Bahia Porto Seguro, Arraial d’ajuda e cidades próximas,Maceio Pajussara,Ponta Verde,e Natal Ponta Negra todas elas tem essas cobranças indevida e quando vai pagar só por cadeira e guarda sol eles querem cobrar a mais quando não se consumi na barraca ja tive problemas em Maceió na praia de pajuçara (2025) e os órgão competente deveria fiscalizar semanalmente ,mensalmente todas as barracas e multa pois isso afasta o público que viajar e frequenta as praias estava querem ir para porto de galinhas e uma pessoa me falou que lá eles ja aborda num beco os visitane exigindo que comprem as mesas e cadeiras com guarda sol,demorou acontecer isso rapazes corajosos de fazer isso e mostrar o que acontece nas praia e as pessoas aceitam para evitar de brigas desse tipo porque muitas vezes estão com crianças e sai de casa do suas cidades para divertir e curtir uma praia, isso é um abuso esperam acontecer um fato para poder tomar alguma providência e esses que foram vítimas deveriam ser indenizado pela prefeitura da cidade para aprender a fiscalizar semanalmente as praias fiscais recebem para fiscalizar e somos nós que pagamos por isso.