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Mechanical (Heating & Air Conditioning) Permit in San Antonio, Texas

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

When you need this permit

  • Must be linked to the parent building permit for new residential construction
  • Licensed, City-registered mechanical (HVAC) contractor for new work

Required documents

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Fee schedule

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

Review timeline

Plan review
Not published — contact the department

How long did your Mechanical (Heating & Air Conditioning) Permit permit actually take in San Antonio?

Anonymous — one question, no email. Answers are combined and only shown once at least 5 people have reported.

Inspection process

  1. 1

    Mechanical rough-in inspection

  2. 2

    Final mechanical inspection

See the full San Antonio inspection guide — scheduling & re-inspection fees →

Tips

  • A water-heater or A/C replacement can be done immediately under the Limited Service Repair (LSR) process, with the formal permit filed within 3 business days after the work is completed.

Frequently asked questions

San Antonio requires a mechanical (heating & air conditioning) permit for: Must be linked to the parent building permit for new residential construction; Licensed, City-registered mechanical (HVAC) contractor for new work. If your project isn't listed, confirm with Development Services Department (DSD), City of San Antonio at 210-207-1111 before starting work.

In San Antonio, the published New residential construction, 0-1,599 sq ft is: $80. Additional published fees: 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. These are the jurisdiction's own published figures — see the fee schedule table and source citations on this page.

San Antonio does not publish a plan-review timeline for this permit. Contact Development Services Department (DSD), City of San Antonio at 210-207-1111 for current turnaround.

You'll need: Mechanical Permit Application. See the required-documents checklist on this page for details on each.

San Antonio requires 2 inspection(s) for a mechanical (heating & air conditioning) permit, in order: Mechanical rough-in inspection, Final mechanical inspection. Schedule each through Development Services Department (DSD), City of San Antonio (210-207-1111).

Apply through Development Services Department (DSD), City of San Antonio at Cliff Morton Development and Business Services Center (One Stop), 1901 S. Alamo St., San Antonio, TX 78204. Phone: 210-207-1111. Office hours: Monday - Friday: 7:45 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.. Official information: https://www.sa.gov/Directory/Departments/DSD.

San Antonio, Texas has adopted: 2024 International Building Code (IBC) - International Code Council (ICC); adopted by San Antonio City Council effective January 30, 2025; 2024 International Residential Code (IRC) - ICC; 2024 International Existing Building Code (IEBC) - ICC; 2024 International Fire Code (IFC) - ICC; 2024 International Fuel Gas Code (IFGC) - ICC; 2024 International Mechanical Code (IMC) - ICC; 2024 International Plumbing Code (IPC) - ICC; 2024 International Swimming Pool and Spa Code (ISPSC) - ICC; 2024 National Electrical Code (NEC) - NFPA 70, adopted alongside the 2024 ICC code cycle; 2021 International Energy Conservation Code (IECC) - ICC; excluded from the 2024 adoption cycle and still in effect (per DSD Codes & Ordinances page as of the 2024 update); 2024 San Antonio Property Maintenance Code (SAPMC) - City of San Antonio local code. Local amendments apply — see the San Antonio overview page for the full list.

Sources & verification

Key facts verified against official sources. Last reviewed 2026-09-06.

Fee schedules

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.

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Mechanical (Heating & Air Conditioning) Permit in other cities

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