San Antonio building permits
Building permits in San Antonio are issued by the Development Services Department (DSD)1. You can apply and request inspections online through aca-prod.accela.com2.
On this page
- Building department contacts
- Do you need a permit in San Antonio? Common projects
- Building codes in force in San Antonio
- San Antonio building permit fees
- How to get a building permit in San Antonio
- Permit expiration and extensions
- Inspections in San Antonio
- Building without a permit in San Antonio
- Doing the work yourself (owner-builder)
- Texas rules that also apply in San Antonio
- Sources
Building department contacts
Development Services Department (DSD)1
Building permits
- Apply online
- aca-prod.accela.com2
- Phone
- (210) 207-11113
- Address
- Cliff Morton Development and Business Services Center (One Stop), 1901 S. Alamo St., San Antonio, TX 782043
- Hours
- Monday - Friday: 7:45 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.3
- Inspections
- Online through BuildSA anytime, or by phone 210-207-1111 during business hours3
Development Services Department, Code Enforcement Division4
Code enforcement
- Phone
- (210) 207-5466 (questions about violations and permits); 3-1-1 or (210) 207-6000 to report concerns3
To look up permits already issued for an address (useful before you buy, or to check a contractor's work), use the city's official permit search: aca-prod.accela.com2.
Do you need a permit in San Antonio? Common projects
Each project below has its own page with San Antonio's exact rule, the official wording, fees and inspections.
| Project | Permit needed? | Key limit in the city rule |
|---|---|---|
| Fence | Depends on size or scope | Exempt up to this height (repairs only): 6 feet5 |
| Deck | Depends on size or scope | Exempt up to this area: 300 square feet5 |
| Shed | Depends on size or scope | Exempt up to this area: 300 square feet5 |
| Roof | Yes | – |
| Pool | Yes | Pools exempt below this depth: 24 inches5 |
| Water heater | Yes | – |
Building codes in force in San Antonio
These are the model codes San Antonio enforces, with the edition and the date it took effect. Plans are reviewed and work is inspected against them. For the state framework, see Texas building codes.
| Code | Title as adopted | Model edition | Effective |
|---|---|---|---|
| International Residential Code (IRC) | 2024 International Residential Code for One-and-Two-family Dwellings, as amended by City Code Sec. 10-375 | 20245 | 5 |
| International Building Code (IBC) | 2024 International Building Code, as amended by City Code Sec. 10-305 | 20245 | 5 |
| International Existing Building Code (IEBC) | 2024 International Existing Building Code, as amended by City Code Sec. 10-475 | 20245 | 5 |
| International Mechanical Code (IMC) | 2024 International Mechanical Code, as amended by City Code Sec. 10-625 | 20245 | 5 |
| International Fuel Gas Code (IFGC) | 2024 International Fuel Gas Code, as amended by City Code Sec. 10-725 | 20245 | 5 |
| International Plumbing Code (IPC) | 2024 International Plumbing Code, as amended by City Code Sec. 10-825 | 20245 | 5 |
| Swimming Pool and Spa Code (ISPSC) | 2024 International Swimming Pool and Spa Code, as amended by City Code Sec. 10-975 | 20245 | 5 |
| Energy code, residential | 2021 International Energy Conservation Code, as amended by City Code Sec. 10-925 | 20215 | 5 |
| Energy code, commercial | 2021 International Energy Conservation Code, as amended by City Code Sec. 10-925 | 20215 | 5 |
| International Fire Code (IFC) | 2024 International Fire Code, as amended in City Code Chapter 115 | 20244 | 6 |
Adopted by: City Council, Ord. No 2025-01-30-00755.
San Antonio building permit fees
Fees come from the FY 2027 Development Fee Schedule7, effective 7.
How valuation is set. Existing residential: square footage; commercial and existing residential building plan review: valuation7.
Each line is worded as in San Antonio’s schedule; formulas are not added up into a total (how permit fees work).
| Fee | Type | As the schedule states it |
|---|---|---|
| Residential Building Existing Home Fee 0000-0500 | Flat fee | Residential Building Existing Home Fee 0000-0500 $ 172.507 |
| Residential Building Existing Home Fee 0501-1000 | Flat fee | Residential Building Existing Home Fee 0501-1000 $ 488.807 |
| Residential Swimming Pool Fee | Flat fee | Residential Swimming Pool Fee $414.007 |
| Carport Covers and Decks Fee | Flat fee | Carport Covers and Decks Fee $184.007 |
| Repair Existing Foundation Fee | Flat fee | Repair Existing Foundation Fee $184.007 |
| Residential Repair Existing General Fee | Flat fee | Residential Repair Existing General Fee $172.507 |
| Residential Repair Existing Full Remodel Fee | Flat fee | Residential Repair Existing Full Remodel Fee $241.507 |
| Residential Fence Fee | Flat fee | Residential Fence Fee $28.757 |
| Residential Repair Existing Re-Roof Fee | Flat fee | Residential Repair Existing Re-Roof Fee $28.757 |
| Residential - Demolition Permit | Flat fee | Residential - Demolition Permit $86.307 |
| Plumbing - Permit Base Fee | Flat fee | Plumbing - Permit Base Fee $57.507 |
| Water Heater, Vent (gas/electric) | Per fixture or item | Water Heater, Vent (gas/electric) $9.207 |
| Inspection Schedule Fee | Flat fee | Inspection Schedule Fee (Free if scheduled online) (applies to all types of inspections) **Not subject to surcharges. $3.457 |
| Re-inspection Fee (all Trades) | Re-inspection | Re-inspection Fee (all Trades) $57.507 |
| Convenience Fee | Flat fee | Applications not submitted through our online portal and requested to be processed by our staff are subject to a $11.50 Convenience Fee (not subject to surcharges).7 |
| Technological Improvement and Development Services surcharges | Technology surcharge | Disclaimer: Unless noted, all fees are subject to a 4% Technological Improvement and a 4% Development Services surcharge.7 |
| Permit Extension Fee | Percent of the permit fee | Permit Extension Fee 50% of permit fees7 |
| Working Without A Permit Penalty Fee | Work started without a permit | Working Without A Permit Penalty Fee Double Permitting Fees7 |
San Antonio’s schedule adds, unless a line says otherwise, a 4% Technological Improvement surcharge and a 4% Development Services surcharge to every fee, and a $11.50 Convenience Fee for applications not submitted online.
How to get a building permit in San Antonio
- Verify zoning and platting, then apply for a building permit1
- Identify every permit needed (building, electrical, mechanical, plumbing)1
- Apply online through BuildSA (preferred) or at the One Stop3
- Plan review for new homes, additions over 1,000 sq ft and any 2-story addition1
- Pay fees; permit not valid until fees are paid5
- Request inspections when work is ready5
- Request final inspection within 30 days of completing the work5
- Apply online
- Yes3
- Over-the-counter permits
- General repair and small remodel permits1
- Posting the permit
- Permit or copy kept on site until completion5
Permit expiration and extensions
- How long a permit lasts
- Invalid if work not commenced within 180 days of issuance or suspended/abandoned 180 days5
- Extensions
- Building Official may grant written extensions of up to 180 days each; fee 50% of permit fees5
Inspections in San Antonio
San Antonio’s inspection stages, in order. Do not cover work until the stage has passed (how inspections work).
- How to schedule
- Online anytime through BuildSA, or by phone 210-207-1111 during business hours3
- Re-inspection fee
- Re-inspection Fee (all Trades) $57.507
- After the final inspection
- Certificate of occupancy5
Building without a permit in San Antonio
| Consequence | Applies to | As the city states it | Way to fix it |
|---|---|---|---|
| Higher permit fee City Code § 10-10(d) | Work commenced before obtaining permits5 | Double permitting fees7 | Pay the double fee and still comply fully with the code5 |
| Criminal penalty City Code § 10-15(e) | Any violation of Chapter 10 or ordinances enforced by the Building Official5 | Fine not to exceed $500 per violation; each day a separate offense5 | – |
| Stop-work order City Code § 10-16 | Work contrary to Chapter 10 or unsafe5 | Cited work must immediately cease5 | – |
| Permit revoked City Code § 10-6(q) | Permit issued in error or on incorrect information, or in violation5 | Suspension or revocation5 | – |
| Civil penalty | Moving into a new residence without a certificate of occupancy7 | Residential Construction moving in without a Certificate of Occupancy $345.007 | – |
For how unpermitted work is usually legalized, see how to legalize unpermitted work.
Doing the work yourself (owner-builder)
- Homeowner may pull a building permit
- Yes, if the owner will own the detached single-family dwelling for 12 months after completion and final inspection5
- Homeowner plumbing work
- Yes, on a homestead where the homeowner resides, without assistance5
- Owner and occupancy requirement
- Own and occupy or rent for 12 months after completion8
- Affidavit or declaration
- Plumbing homeowner affidavit required with plumbing application9
Texas's statewide owner-builder and licensing rules are on the Texas permit guide.
Texas rules that also apply in San Antonio
- Deadlines for permit decisions and inspections in Texas
- Contractor licensing in Texas
- Selling a home with unpermitted work in Texas
- Private plan review and inspections in Texas
Sources
- Residential Permits - City of San AntonioCity of San Antonio, Development Services DepartmentChecked November 7, 2026
- Information Bulletin 110: Accessing Information, Plan Review Comments, Inspections OnlineCity of San Antonio, Development Services DepartmentRevised April 2025Checked November 7, 2026
- Contact & Connect - City of San AntonioCity of San Antonio, Development Services DepartmentChecked November 7, 2026
- Codes & Ordinances - City of San AntonioCity of San Antonio, Development Services DepartmentChecked November 6, 2026
- Chapter 10 Building-Related Codes (2024 International Building-Related Codes), City Code of San AntonioCity of San Antonio, Development Services DepartmentEffective May 1, 2025Checked November 7, 2026
- San Antonio Fire Code Amendments, 2024 IFC (City Code Chapter 11, print PDF)City of San Antonio, Development Services DepartmentEffective May 1, 2025Checked November 6, 2026
- FY 2027 Development Fee ScheduleCity of San Antonio, Development Services DepartmentRevised October 2026Checked November 7, 2026
- Residential Improvements Permit ApplicationCity of San Antonio, Development Services DepartmentRevised September 2026Checked November 7, 2026
- Plumbing Affidavit for Homeowner’s PermitCity of San Antonio, Development Services DepartmentRevised October 2026Checked November 7, 2026