You are viewing the permanent link for the record currently in effect, published 2026-09-06.
San Antonio building permits
San Antonio, Texas — as published 2026-09-06.
Reviewed 2026-09-06 · Source
Codes adopted
Permit types & fees
Building Permit (New Construction / Additions)
Development Services issues residential and commercial building permits for construction within San Antonio city limits. New homes, room additions over 1,000 square feet, and any 2-story addition (regardless of size) require a full review by DSD Plans Examiners before a permit is issued; the plan review fee, building permit fee, and (for new residential construction) the electrical, mechanical, plumbing and sewer trade-permit fees are bundled and assessed together on the parent building permit.
Reviewed 2026-09-06 · Source
Requirements
- Verify zoning district allows the proposed use and that the property is platted
- Site plan
- Building plans (full plan review required for new construction, additions over 1,000 sq ft, and any 2-story addition)
- Proof of ownership
Required documents
- RequiredApplication for Residential Construction and Additions Over 1000 Square Feet & 2 Stories (IB 101)
- RequiredSample Residential Building Permit Application (2025)
- RequiredCommercial Project Application and Guide
Fee schedule
| Fee type | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Residential new construction/addition/remodel, 0-500 sq ft, Total Basic Permit Fee (building + electrical + mechanical + plumbing + sewer + plan review) | $654 | — |
| Residential new construction/addition/remodel, 1,751-2,000 sq ft, Total Basic Permit Fee | $1,448 | — |
| Residential new construction/addition/remodel, 3,501-4,000 sq ft, Total Basic Permit Fee | $1,814 | — |
| Residential new construction/addition/remodel, 7,501-7,750 sq ft, Total Basic Permit Fee | $3,382 | — |
| Unfinished interior building plan review and permit fees | 50% discount (e.g., a 1,500 sq ft unfinished-interior project is fee'd as 750 sq ft) | — |
| Remodels/additions plan review fee | Not assessed for projects under 1,000 sq ft | — |
| Commercial valuation-based permit fee, $0-$1,000 | $100.00 | — |
| Commercial valuation-based permit fee, $1,001-$200,000 | $100.00 + $1.60 per $1,000 (or fraction) over $1,000 | — |
| Commercial valuation-based permit fee, $200,001-$1,000,000 | $418.40 + $1.50 per $1,000 (or fraction) over $200,000 | — |
| Commercial valuation-based permit fee, $1,000,001-$5,000,000 | $1,618.40 + $0.75 per $1,000 (or fraction) over $1,000,000 | — |
| Commercial valuation-based permit fee, over $5,000,000 | $4,618.40 + $0.50 per $1,000 (or fraction) over $5,000,000 | — |
General Repairs & Remodel Permit
Covers residential room additions, accessory structures, decks, carports, patio covers, porch covers, foundation repairs, and minor repairs (windows, doors, walls, siding, floors) that do not rise to the level of new construction. Most of these are issued over-the-counter at DSD's One Stop office.
Reviewed 2026-09-06 · Source
Requirements
- Site plan (for room additions, accessory structures, decks, carports, patio/porch covers, foundation repairs)
- Proof of ownership
- No plan review required for minor repairs; permit issued over the counter
Required documents
- RequiredGeneral Repairs (Minor Commercial) Application
- RequiredIB 151 - Residential Deck Permits
- RequiredIB 172 - Foundation Repair Permit Application
- RequiredHome Remodeling FAQs
Fee schedule
| Fee type | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Carports and Decks | $160.00 | — |
| Foundations | $160.00 | — |
| General Repairs - Windows, Doors, Siding | $150.00 | — |
| General Repairs - Full Remodel | $210.00 | — |
| Residential Plan Retrieval Fee | $100.00 | — |
Demolition Permit
Required to demolish a structure within City limits. DSD's IB 106 outlines the demolition process, checklist, and application. Trade/demolition contractors must hold a City demolition license to pull the permit on a property owner's behalf.
Reviewed 2026-09-06 · Source
Requirements
- Site plan
- Proof of ownership
- Demolition Contractor must hold a current City Demolition Contractor license (for contractor-pulled permits)
Required documents
- RequiredIB 106 - Demolition Process & Checklist, Application
Fee schedule
| Fee type | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Residential Demolition Permit | $75.00 | — |
| Commercial Demolition Permit - Single-story | $100.00 | — |
| Commercial Demolition Permit - 2-3 stories | $200.00 | — |
| Commercial Demolition Permit - more than 3 stories | $650.00 | — |
| Demolition Contractor - Initial City License | $85.00 | — |
| Demolition Contractor - Renewal City License | $35.00 | — |
| Refund fee (if refund criteria are met) | $50.00 | — |
Electrical Permit
Required for new electrical work, service changes, and related installations. Homeowners may not self-perform new electrical work on new construction; a State-licensed, City-registered electrical (trade) contractor must pull the permit. For new residential construction, the electrical permit must be linked to the parent building permit.
Reviewed 2026-09-06 · Source
Requirements
- Must be pulled by a State-licensed, City-registered electrical contractor (new work)
- For new residential construction, must be linked to the parent building permit
- Utility Release process applies for service connections
Required documents
- RequiredElectrical Permit Application
Fee schedule
| Fee type | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| New residential construction, 0-2,500 sq ft | $100 | — |
| New residential construction, 2,501-3,500 sq ft | $110 | — |
| New residential construction, 6,001-7,000 sq ft | $150 | — |
| New residential construction, 7,001-9,000 sq ft | $200 | — |
| Optional TML (Temporary Meter Loop) Permit | $57.00 | — |
| Optional TOPS (Temporary on Permanent Set) Permit | $54.00 | — |
| Optional Gas Permit (flat) | $10.00 (new residential) / $64 (linked to new-residential building permit per main fee table) | — |
| Commercial/other occupancy trade permit (Groups A,B,E,F,H,I,M,S,U), up to 1,000 sq ft | $100.00, plus $5.00 per additional 1,000 sq ft | — |
| Commercial trade permit (Groups R-1, R-2 residential hotels/apartments), up to 1,000 sq ft | $140.00, plus $7.00 per additional 1,000 sq ft | — |
| Electrical Inspection Permit Fee (Basic Fee) | $50.00 | — |
| Permit Administrative Processing Fee (online) | $10.00 | — |
| Service rating surcharge, 0-200 amps | $3.25 | — |
| Service rating surcharge, over 2,500 amps | $12.50 | — |
Plumbing, Gas & Sewer Permit
Required for plumbing, gas, and sewer work. A homeowner may only pull a plumbing permit for an existing homestead where they will personally perform the work (per the Plumbing Homeowner Affidavit); all other plumbing work requires a licensed, City-registered plumbing trade contractor.
Reviewed 2026-09-06 · Source
Requirements
- Proof of ownership
- Homeowner self-permitting limited to an existing homestead where the owner personally performs the work (Plumbing Homeowner Affidavit required)
- For new residential construction, must be linked to the parent building permit
Required documents
- RequiredPlumbing, Gas and Sewer Permit Application
- RequiredPlumbing Homeowner Affidavit
Fee schedule
| Fee type | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| New residential construction, 501-1,000 sq ft | $119 | — |
| New residential construction, 2,501-3,000 sq ft | $164 | — |
| New residential construction, 6,501-7,000 sq ft | $342 | — |
| New residential construction, Sewer (flat) | $64 | — |
| New residential construction, Gas (flat) | $64 | — |
| Commercial/other occupancy (Groups A,B,E,F,H,I,M,S,U), up to 1,000 sq ft | $100.00, plus $5.00 per additional 1,000 sq ft | — |
| Commercial (Groups R-1, R-2), up to 1,000 sq ft | $140.00, plus $7.00 per additional 1,000 sq ft | — |
| Commercial Gas, up to 5,000 sq ft | $80.00 | — |
| Commercial Sewer, up to 5,000 sq ft | $100.00 | — |
| After-hour Inspection Fee (per hour, 1-hour minimum) | $100.00 | — |
| Water Treatment Contractor Annual State License Registration | $85.00 | — |
Mechanical (Heating & Air Conditioning) Permit
Required for HVAC installation, replacement, and related mechanical work. For new residential construction, the mechanical permit fee is based on square footage and assessed on the parent building permit; the trade permit itself must still be pulled and linked to the parent.
Reviewed 2026-09-06 · Source
Requirements
- Must be linked to the parent building permit for new residential construction
- Licensed, City-registered mechanical (HVAC) contractor for new work
Required documents
- RequiredMechanical Permit Application
Fee schedule
| Fee type | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| New residential construction, 0-1,599 sq ft | $80 | — |
| New residential construction, 1,601-3,000 sq ft | $85 | — |
| New residential construction, 3,501-4,000 sq ft | $110 | — |
| Commercial (Groups A,B,E,F,H,I,M,S,U), up to 1,000 sq ft | $100.00, plus $5.00 per additional 1,000 sq ft | — |
| Commercial (Groups R-1, R-2), up to 1,000 sq ft | $140.00, plus $7.00 per additional 1,000 sq ft | — |
| Basic Heating and Air Conditioning Permit (Basic Fee) | $50.00 | — |
| Existing Residential - new system, no pre-existing central HVAC (includes inspection) | $77.00 | — |
Re-Roof Permit
Required to re-roof a structure. A re-roof with no change in roof pitch is issued over the counter with proof of ownership; a re-roof that changes the pitch requires full plan review.
Reviewed 2026-09-06 · Source
Requirements
- Proof of ownership
- No plan review needed if pitch is unchanged (over-the-counter issuance)
- Full plan review required if the roof pitch is being changed
Required documents
- RequiredRe-Roof Permit Application
Fee schedule
| Fee type | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Residential Re-roof Permit (no pitch change) | $25.00 | — |
Fence Permit
Required to install a new fence. Issued over the counter with a site plan; ornamental-iron fences may qualify for a special exception procedure (IB 504).
Reviewed 2026-09-06 · Source
Requirements
- Site plan
- Permit issued over the counter (no plan review)
Required documents
- RequiredResidential Fence Permit Application
- RequiredIB 504 - Ornamental-Iron Fence Special Exception Application Procedure
- RequiredResidential Fence Permit FAQs
- RequiredCommercial and Residential Fence Permit Application Instructions (IB 223)
Fee schedule
| Fee type | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Residential Fence Permit | $25.00 | — |
Swimming Pool Permit
Required to install a residential swimming pool. Issued over the counter with a site plan and proof of ownership.
Reviewed 2026-09-06 · Source
Requirements
- Site plan
- Proof of ownership
- Permit issued over the counter (no plan review)
Required documents
- RequiredSwimming Pool Application
Fee schedule
| Fee type | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Residential Swimming Pool Permit Fee | $360.00 | — |
Solar Photovoltaic (PV) Permit
Per Information Bulletin 153 (jointly issued by DSD and CPS Energy), a solar PV installation requires a separate electrical permit application (the PV application is a subtype of the Electrical Permit in the BuildSA Customer Portal) in addition to CPS Energy's Distributed Energy Resource (DER)/interconnection process. The master electrician must be the applicant. Projects on a designated historic resource or in a historic district must first meet with the Historic Design and Review Commission.
Reviewed 2026-09-06 · Source
Requirements
- Must be applied for by a State-licensed master electrician registered with the City of San Antonio (the PV application is a subtype of the Electrical Permit)
- Separate CPS Energy registration/preconstruction submittal (One-Line Diagram, Site Layout/Plan and photos, equipment specifications, DER application) required in parallel
- Site plan showing existing/proposed structures and setbacks
- Roof plan showing array layout, roof covering/overlays, rafter/beam sizes and spacing, roof slope, and firefighter-access clearances per IFC Section 1205.2/1205.3 (solar arrays may not exceed 150 feet on any one side)
- Electrical diagrams: rapid-shutdown equipment, conduits/combiner boxes, inverters/disconnects, batteries (if any), modules/panels, mounting system
- Engineered plans required for commercial projects; for residential, an engineer is required only if the array involves a patio cover, carport, or a roof pitch under 4:12 (at the Plan Reviewer's request)
- Meeting with the Historic Design and Review Commission before submittal, if the property is a designated historic resource or in a historic district
Required documents
- RequiredIB 153 - Requirements for Solar Photovoltaic Systems (PV) (Commercial/Residential)
- RequiredCPS Energy online registration form and DER application
Fee schedule
| Fee type | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| PV permit fee | Billed as an Electrical Permit subtype; no PV-specific fee line was found in the Development Fee Schedule -- see Electrical Permit fees | — |
Sources & verification
Key facts verified against official sources. Last reviewed 2026-09-06.
Fee schedules
Checklists & handouts
Codes & ordinances
Department & other records
Fees, timelines, and adopted codes are researched from each jurisdiction's published records — see how we verify. Requirements change and vary by project, so always confirm the current details with the San Antonio building department before you submit. PermitBase is an independent reference and is not affiliated with any government agency.