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With Almost 100 Amendments, Rio Councilors Postpone Vote on New “Puxadinhos Law,” Which Proposes Extension Until 2029 and Faces Criticism Regarding Urban Planning Impact
The vote on the bill that alters the urban regulations of Rio de Janeiro was postponed by the City Council. The decision was made on Tuesday (13th), and the proposal is expected to return to the agenda in the next session, scheduled for Wednesday (14th). The reason for the postponement was the large number of amendments presented to the text: almost 100.
Changes to the ‘Puxadinhos Law’
The project addresses the modification and expansion of the so-called “Puxadinhos Law,” which allows for the regularization of irregular constructions upon payment of fees.
The vote was set to occur in a second discussion, a crucial stage for its approval. However, the councilors decided to postpone to better analyze the suggested changes.
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The proposal presented by the City of Rio aims to extend the validity of the law until 2029. The current legislation, approved in 2023, came into effect in July 2024 and was set to expire in December of the same year.
One of the main points of the law allows for the construction of penthouses, provided they are limited to half of the area of the top floor of the building.
Changes to Article 15 and Extension of Deadlines
The new project brings changes, such as the modification of Article 15. The new wording expands the possibility of matching the height of a building with that of its neighbors.
Previously, this was only allowed in the neighborhoods of Catete and Glória. Additionally, the deadline for requesting the regularization of constructions has been extended until 2029, both for works already executed and those yet to be carried out.
Councilor Márcio Ribeiro (PSD) defended the project. “You will give the person the freedom to make their projects and present them. They will go through the scrutiny of the city, which will conduct an evaluation to determine if this project, if the owner’s desire to make this increase, is within the legislation,” he said.
Government Holds Majority in the Chamber
The discussion marks yet another confrontation between the government and the opposition in the Chamber. Despite the criticism, Mayor Eduardo Paes (PSD) is expected to successfully approve the text. The government’s base is majority and has already approved the project in the first vote.
Criticism from the Opposition and the IAB
Even with the mayor’s political strength, the proposal faces resistance. The Institute of Architects of Brazil (IAB) issued a statement criticizing the transformation of a temporary rule into a permanent norm.
The entity stated that the new project compromises urban planning and undermines the city’s Master Plan.
Councilor Pedro Duarte (Novo) also criticized the proposal. For him, the project’s main focus is revenue generation and not urban planning. “The city itself says it wants to raise R$ 500 million through this project. How? The construction companies, the people, pay to build outside the legislation,” he stated.
Duarte also posed a direct question. “There is one law that applies to those who do not have money and there is another that applies to those who can pay bills, which are quite expensive,” he declared.
City Hall’s Response
The City of Rio informed, via a statement, that the new validity period of the law is still under discussion. According to the municipal administration, the project promotes targeted adjustments and is aligned with the new Master Plan.
With information from G1.
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