Resumo. Land regularization of social interest aims to improve the living conditions of urban populations, combining with the improvement of environmental conditions in these areas. However, problems were found for the implementation of instruments provided by law. Therefore, this study aimed to discuss the relationship between urban land regularization areas of social concern and difficulties for the implementation of environmental instruments, correlating to the study of land regularization process that was executed in Serra - ES state. It was possible to see that, for proposed improvement to occur, all stages of regularization should be developed together. Key factors were also identified for the improvement of environmental conditions: effective inspection, preventing the conversion of new areas, and respect for the minimum permanent preservation areas described in law.