A San Antonio building permit is issued by the Development Services Department at the Cliff Morton Development and Business Services Center (One Stop), 1901 S. Alamo St., San Antonio, TX 78204 (210-207-1111, Monday to Friday 7:45am to 4:30pm), which manages land and building development in the city and issues Certificates of Occupancy. Applications and documents are submitted through the BuildSA online portal. We file and track it for you.
San Antonio does not require a permit for one-story detached accessory structures used as tool and storage sheds, playhouses and similar uses up to 300 square feet of floor area. Converted shipping containers used as storage always need a permit.
Where a permit is required for a shed over 300 square feet, the building permit is $172.50 up to 500 square feet, or a flat $150 if the structure stays unfinished (exposed studs, no insulation or sheetrock), and the city requires a letter of inspection from a licensed foundation engineer, a framing inspection, and a final inspection — plus an insulation inspection if the space is insulated.
Applies inside San Antonio city limits in Bexar County. Schertz, Converse, Leon Valley, Alamo Heights, and Live Oak permit independently. Confirm the parcel before filing.
Exempt from a permit is not exempt from setbacks. The Unified Development Code sets the general standards, but specific setback distances depend on your property’s zoning district. Accessory structures must maintain a setback from side and rear property lines and cannot be placed in the front yard — regardless of whether the structure needs a permit.
What requires a permit in San Antonio?
San Antonio requires a permit for construction, alteration, and repair work affecting structure, systems, or occupancy, reviewed against the 2024 International Building, Residential, Existing Building, Fire, Mechanical, Plumbing, Fuel Gas, and Swimming Pool and Spa Codes, the 2021 International Energy Conservation Code and the 2023 National Electrical Code, each as amended in chapter 10 of the City Code.
Because Texas has no statewide building code, the adopted editions and local amendments are San Antonio’s own: the 2024 International Building, Residential, Existing Building, Fire, Mechanical, Plumbing, Fuel Gas, and Swimming Pool and Spa Codes, the 2021 International Energy Conservation Code and the 2023 National Electrical Code, each as amended in chapter 10 of the City Code.
Permit required
- New residential and commercial construction, additions
- Structural and load-bearing alterations
- Interior remodels and commercial finish-out
- Accessory structures over 300 square feet
- Any accessory structure with utilities connected
- Reroofing and exterior envelope work
- Electrical, plumbing, and mechanical work
- Change of occupancy or use; demolition
Typically exempt
- Accessory structures of 300 square feet or less, without utilities
- Painting, wallpapering, tiling, and floor coverings
- Cabinet and countertop replacement
- Note: setback and placement rules under the UDC apply regardless of permit exemption
San Antonio building department: who handles permitting
Development Services manages land and building development in the City of San Antonio, issuing building permits and licences for construction and Certificates of Occupancy, with BuildSA as the online submission portal.
The Unified Development Code governs zoning, setbacks, and land use alongside the building codes. On any project touching an accessory structure, a setback, or a change of use, the UDC is the document that decides the answer.
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Get a free quote →| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Authority | City of San Antonio Development Services Department |
| Online portal | BuildSA — submit permit applications and documents online |
| Certificates of Occupancy | Issued by Development Services |
| Zoning | Unified Development Code — setbacks determined by zoning district |
| Shed exemption | One-story storage sheds and playhouses up to 300 square feet |
| Shed permit fee | $172.50 building permit up to 500 sq ft, or a flat $150 if left unfinished |
| Accessory inspections | Engineer foundation inspection, framing, final, plus insulation if insulated |
| County | Bexar County — ch. 233 commercial authority via the Fire Marshal only |
Confirm zoning district before assuming a setback. The Unified Development Code sets general standards, but the specific distances depend on the district — so two identical sheds on different lots can face different placement rules.
In 2025, building permits issued in San Antonio authorized 5,320 new privately owned housing units, 3,888 of them single-family homes, according to the U.S. Census Bureau Building Permits Survey.
San Antonio permits: record types and what each covers
A building permit is one record among many. Development Services issues work under separate record types through BuildSA, and filing under the wrong one is a rejection rather than a correction. In San Antonio the Unified Development Code sits alongside the building code, governing zoning and setbacks independently — so permit exemption and placement compliance are two separate questions.
Residential permit types
| Permit type | What triggers it | Review path | Fee basis |
|---|---|---|---|
| New construction | New dwellings, additions, and accessory structures over the exempt threshold | Full plan review (structural, energy, zoning) | Valuation-based |
| Renovation / alteration | Structural or load-bearing changes, layout changes, substantial repair | Plan review scaled to scope | Valuation-based |
| Reroof | Roof covering replacement and most major roof repair | Local reroof inspections; TDI windstorm inspection in the coastal catastrophe area | Valuation or squares |
| Solar photovoltaic | Rooftop or ground-mount PV installation or replacement | Structural plus electrical review | Flat or system-size based |
| Solar thermal | Passive water heating or pool heating systems | Plumbing and structural review | Flat or per-permit minimum |
| Electrical | Service changes, panel upgrades, new circuits, most wiring alterations | Trade review; filed against the building permit | Per-permit minimum or per-device |
| Plumbing | New piping, repipes, water heaters, fixtures, gas piping | Trade review; filed against the building permit | Per-permit minimum or per-fixture |
| Mechanical / HVAC | Changeouts that are not like-for-like, ductwork, refrigeration | Trade review; filed against the building permit | Per-permit minimum or per-unit |
| Windows and doors | Replacement units and opening protection | Windstorm review for wind-borne debris on the coast | Valuation or per-opening |
| Pool and spa | In-ground and above-ground pools, spas, barrier and enclosure work | Plan review plus barrier and electrical bonding | Valuation-based |
| Fence and accessory | Fences, sheds, decks, and carports over the exempt threshold | Zoning plus structural where applicable | Flat or valuation-based |
| Demolition | Full or partial demolition of a structure | Utility disconnect verification required | Flat |
Not sure this scope needs a permit?
Get a free quote →Commercial permit types
| Permit type | What triggers it | Review path | Fee basis |
|---|---|---|---|
| New construction | Ground-up commercial, industrial, and multifamily | Full multi-discipline plan review | Valuation-based |
| Tenant improvement | Interior build-outs and suite fit-ups | Plan review across affected disciplines | Valuation-based |
| Renovation / alteration | Structural, envelope, or system changes to an existing building | Plan review scaled to scope | Valuation-based |
| Change of use | Converting a building from one occupancy classification to another | Zoning, life-safety, and accessibility review | Valuation or flat |
| Reroof | Commercial roof covering replacement | Plan review plus fire review where applicable; TDI windstorm inspection on the coast | Valuation or squares |
| Solar photovoltaic | Commercial rooftop, carport, and ground-mount PV | Structural, electrical, and often fire review | Valuation or system-size based |
| Electrical | Service, distribution, and branch circuit work | Trade review | Valuation or per-device |
| Plumbing | Supply, waste, vent, and gas systems | Trade review | Valuation or per-fixture |
| Mechanical / HVAC | Rooftop units, ductwork, exhaust, and refrigeration | Trade review | Valuation or per-unit |
| Fire protection | Sprinkler, standpipe, alarm, and suppression systems | Fire prevention plan review | Valuation or per-device |
| Sign | Wall, monument, and illuminated signage | Zoning plus electrical where illuminated | Flat or per-sign |
| Demolition | Full or partial commercial demolition | Utility disconnect and environmental clearance | Flat or valuation-based |
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Call 1-855-478-4290 →Residential
- Single-discipline review in most cases
- Master permit with trades filed against it
- Owners may do some work on their own home; many cities ask for a homestead affidavit
- Windstorm rules drive roofing and opening protection on the coast
Commercial — multi-discipline
- Concurrent review across building, fire, and zoning
- Signed and sealed plans for larger projects; many cities require them for all commercial work
- Accessibility and life-safety review attach to change of use
- Impact fees can apply on top of permit fees
Roofing permits in San Antonio
San Antonio sits in Bexar County at roughly 105 to 115 mph ultimate design wind speed under the adopted code, well inland of the TDI designated catastrophe area and outside any windstorm certification requirement. Hail governs, and South Central Texas storm cells drive concentrated reroof demand.
Texas has no single statewide building code and no general contractor licence: state law sets base codes and each city adopts its own edition and amendments, while most counties issue no building permits for homes outside city limits. The statewide solar, HOA and roofing rules are on the Texas page. Texas rules
San Antonio permit cost and fees
Under the FY 2027 Development Fee Schedule, new homes are priced by floor area with the trade permit fees included, commercial work by valuation, and residential remodels, additions and accessory structures under 1,000 sq ft by floor-area band ($172.50 up to 500 sq ft, $488.80 to 1,000 sq ft), with separate records and fees for specialty work.
Confirm current figures with the department before budgeting from a prior project. Residential construction in the city needs a City of San Antonio licence: $195.50 for a residential builder and $172.50 for a home-improvement contractor.
Rather not deal with the building department?
Get a free quote →| Fee component | How it works |
|---|---|
| Building permit | New homes by floor area; commercial by valuation |
| Shed over 300 sq ft | $172.50 up to 500 sq ft; flat $150 if unfinished |
| Engineer foundation inspection | Required on permitted accessory structures — a professional cost |
| Trade permits (E / P / M) | Separate fee per trade, filed by the licensed contractor |
| Certificate of Occupancy | Issued by Development Services |
| Re-inspection | Charged when a checkpoint fails and is re-requested |
Want a precise number for a specific San Antonio project? Send us the scope and valuation and we’ll confirm current fees with the city and return an estimate alongside a filing timeline.
San Antonio trade permits
Electrical, plumbing, and mechanical work each need their own permit pulled by the state-licensed contractor for that trade. Texas licenses the trades through TDLR and the TSBPE and does not issue a statewide general contractor licence.
Electrical
Service and panel work, new circuits, solar PV, EV charging, and backup power — performed by a TDLR-licensed electrician.
Plumbing
New plumbing, repipes, water heaters, fixtures, and gas piping — performed by a TSBPE-licensed plumber.
Mechanical / HVAC
Installations, non-like-for-like changeouts, ductwork, and venting, reviewed against the mechanical and energy codes as adopted.
Specialty
Signs, pools, fences, accessory structures, and demolition each run their own record and review path.
San Antonio permit application: how to apply step by step
Check against Schertz, Converse, Leon Valley, Alamo Heights, and unincorporated Bexar County, which permits commercial only via the Fire Marshal.
Setback distances depend on the district, and accessory structures cannot be placed in the front yard.
Accessory structures at or under 300 sq ft without utilities are exempt; above that a permit and engineer foundation inspection apply.
Submit permit applications and documents through the portal.
Respond to review comments, pay fees, and take the permit. Post it on site before work begins.
Schedule inspections, clear the final, and obtain the CO from Development Services where the scope requires one.
Inspections in San Antonio
Development Services performs construction inspections against the adopted codes, running the standard sequence with checkpoints set by the permit record.
On permitted accessory structures the sequence is specific: a foundation inspection by a licensed engineer, a framing inspection, and a final inspection — with an insulation inspection added where the space is insulated.
Keep the permit posted and approved plans on site, and clear correction notices before requesting a re-inspection.
Want this handled start to finish?
Get a free quote →San Antonio permit search and official resources
- San Antonio Development Services
- BuildSA online services
- San Antonio residential permits
- Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation
- Texas State Board of Plumbing Examiners
Frequently asked questions
Who issues building permits in San Antonio?
City of San Antonio Development Services Department issues building permits for everything inside San Antonio city limits, handling plan review, permit issuance, and construction inspections. Work outside the city limits falls to Bexar County, and Texas counties have sharply limited building authority in unincorporated areas.
How do I get a permit in San Antonio?
Confirm the scope triggers a permit and that zoning allows it, prepare the plan set and site plan, file through BuildSA with the contractor holding the city residential builder or home-improvement licence and the trade contractors their state licences, respond to plan review comments, pay fees and take issuance, then run the inspection sequence through final. Contractor licensing is the step most often missed and it blocks everything downstream.
What codes apply in San Antonio?
Texas has no mandatory statewide building code. Municipalities adopt and amend model codes themselves, and San Antonio enforces the 2024 International Building, Residential, Existing Building, Fire, Mechanical, Plumbing, Fuel Gas, and Swimming Pool and Spa Codes, the 2021 International Energy Conservation Code and the 2023 National Electrical Code, each as amended in chapter 10 of the City Code, with the Unified Development Code governing zoning and setbacks. Neighbouring cities may be on different editions.
Do I need a permit for a shed in San Antonio?
Not for a one-story tool or storage shed or playhouse of 300 square feet or less. Above that, a permit is required: $172.50 up to 500 square feet, or a flat $150 if the structure stays unfinished, and the city requires a letter of inspection from a licensed foundation engineer, a framing inspection, and a final inspection, plus an insulation inspection if the space is insulated. Converted shipping containers always need a permit, and setback rules under the Unified Development Code apply either way.
What does the Unified Development Code govern?
Zoning, setbacks, and land use. The UDC sets the general standards, but specific setback distances depend on your property’s zoning district. As a general guideline, accessory structures must maintain a setback from side and rear property lines and cannot be placed in the front yard. That applies whether or not the structure itself needs a building permit — permit exemption and zoning compliance are separate questions.
What happens outside San Antonio city limits?
The framework changes sharply. Unincorporated Bexar County exercises ch. 233 authority only — commercial, public-accessible, and multi-family construction through the Fire Marshal’s Office, with a Permit Verification Form gating the building permit behind stormwater, floodplain, drainage, and platting clearances. The county has no authority to regulate residential construction, inspect it, or issue a residential certificate of occupancy. Confirm the parcel before assuming either set of rules governs.
Inspections are where schedules slip.
Get a free quote →Do I need a permit to install solar panels in San Antonio?
Yes. Photovoltaic installations in San Antonio are permitted under a dedicated solar record type reviewed on both a structural and an electrical track. Solar thermal — passive water and pool heating — is a separate record. Under Tex. Prop. Code §202.010, a homeowners' association cannot ban a solar energy device outright, but it may still require prior architectural approval and impose reasonable placement conditions, so run the HOA submittal alongside the permit. Since September 1, 2025, Tex. Local Gov't Code §247.0025 (SB 1202) also permits third-party plan review and inspection of home backup power installations — generators and energy storage for one- and two-family dwellings at 600 volts or less — in place of jurisdiction review. Utility interconnection and Permission to Operate still run in parallel.
Does a roof replacement require a permit in San Antonio?
Yes, in most cases. A roof covering replacement requires a permit in most Texas municipalities including San Antonio, though minor repairs can fall below the local threshold. Texas has no statewide product approval system and no central product listing, so compliance runs against the locally adopted code edition and its local amendments. Hail rather than wind is the governing risk inland, and Tex. Prop. Code §202.011 bars an HOA from prohibiting wind or hail resistant shingles.
What is the difference between a residential and a commercial permit in San Antonio?
Residential work is generally a single-discipline review filed as a master permit with trades filed against it. Commercial work in San Antonio runs concurrent review across building, fire, and zoning, requires signed and sealed plans for every affected discipline, and can carry impact fees on top of permit fees. Change of use adds accessibility and life-safety review.
Do trade permits need to be pulled separately in San Antonio?
Yes in most cases. Electrical, plumbing, and mechanical work is permitted separately by the licensed contractor for each trade and filed against the master building permit. Each trade permit carries its own fee and its own inspection sequence.
What happens if I file under the wrong permit type in San Antonio?
The application may be returned for correction or have to be refiled under the right permit type, which costs time. Confirming the permit type before filing is the cheapest step in the whole process; Development Services (210-207-1111) can confirm it.
Can I apply for all San Antonio permit types online?
Yes. BuildSA lets you submit permit applications and documents online, and Development Services publishes separate residential and commercial permit guidance alongside it. The contractor needs a City of San Antonio residential builder or home-improvement licence before residential work is permitted.
Simplify San Antonio permitting with Alliance Permitting
A 300 square foot shed exemption, an engineer’s foundation letter once you cross it, and a Unified Development Code that governs placement independently of the permit — San Antonio rewards checking the UDC first. Alliance Permitting is a permit expediter for San Antonio: we prepare, file, and track your permit through issuance.
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Contractors and builders choose Alliance for San Antonio because we deliver:
- Local expertise — we know the Development Services workflow and what San Antonio actually requires at submittal.
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Alliance Permitting is a permit documentation and submission company: we prepare your paperwork, file it correctly, and coordinate with the authority having jurisdiction through issuance. We are not a contractor and do not perform licensed plan review or inspections; that work stays with your team and the jurisdiction.
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Let Alliance prepare, file, and track your San Antonio permits while you stay focused on building. Get a free, no-obligation quote today.
More Texas permitting guides
This guide is provided by Alliance Permitting for general informational purposes and reflects publicly available information believed accurate as of July 2026. Permit requirements, fees, and processes change; always confirm current details with City of San Antonio Development Services Department before filing. This is not legal advice.