Do you need a permit for a shed in San Antonio?
It depends on the project. San Antonio exempts some sheds from a building permit and requires one for the rest1; the exemption's limit is 300 square feet, with the conditions in the city's wording below.
On this page
Depends on size or scope
San Antonio's rule“One-story detached accessory structures used as tool and storage sheds, playhouses, and similar uses, provided the floor area does not exceed three hundred (300) square feet (27.9 m2).”1
City of San Antonio, Development Services Department, Sec. 10-6(e)(1)a
Which permits you need
| Permit | Required when | The city’s wording |
|---|---|---|
| Building permit | Shed more than 300 sq ft | Shed N/A 5 ft 5 ft More than 300 sq. ft.2 |
| Building permit | All altered shipping containers used as sheds/storage units | All Altered Shipping Containers used as sheds/storage units require a permit.2 |
Limits and conditions in San Antonio's rule
Each limit sits next to the sentence it comes from; the conditions in that sentence are part of the rule.
| Rule | Value | The city’s wording |
|---|---|---|
| Exempt up to this area | 300 square feet | One-story detached accessory structures used as tool and storage sheds, playhouses, and similar uses, provided the floor area does not exceed three hundred (300) square feet (27.9 m2).1 |
Zoning rules: separate from the building permit
A project can be exempt from one and still need the other (zoning vs building permits).
| Zoning rule | Value | The city’s wording |
|---|---|---|
| Side and rear setback | Side 5 ft, rear 5 ft | Shed N/A 5 ft 5 ft More than 300 sq. ft.2 |
What to submit
- Site plan2
Who can apply
- Homeowner may apply if they will own (occupy or rent) the home 12 months after completion2
- Home Improvement Contractor may obtain accessory structure permits under 400 sq ft3
Shed permit fees in San Antonio
Fee lines as San Antonio's schedule states them. A minimum or base fee is not the whole price when the line says the fee grows with project value.
| Fee | Type | As the schedule states it |
|---|---|---|
| Residential Building Existing Home Fee 0000-0500 | Flat fee | Residential Building Existing Home Fee 0000-0500 $ 172.504 |
| Residential Building Existing Home Fee 0501-1000 | Flat fee | Residential Building Existing Home Fee 0501-1000 $ 488.804 |
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.
All of San Antonio's fee lines are on the San Antonio permit page.
Inspections
- Foundation engineer letter, framing, insulation (if insulated), final2 Online anytime through BuildSA, or by phone 210-207-1111 during business hours5
- Framing inspection2
- Final inspection2
Special areas and extra reviews
- Historic, Neighborhood Conservation or Corridor District: design/material restrictions may apply even when no permit is needed6
Who to ask
Development Services Department (DSD)3
Building permits
- Apply online
- aca-prod.accela.com7
- Phone
- (210) 207-11115
- Address
- Cliff Morton Development and Business Services Center (One Stop), 1901 S. Alamo St., San Antonio, TX 782045
- Hours
- Monday - Friday: 7:45 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.5
- Inspections
- Online through BuildSA anytime, or by phone 210-207-1111 during business hours5
Shed permit rules in other cities
Rules differ from city to city. Compare San Antonio with 18 other cities on the national shed permit guide, or go straight to one:
- New York City, NY
- Los Angeles, CA
- Chicago, IL
- Phoenix, AZ
- San Diego, CA
- Dallas, TX
- Jacksonville, FL
- Fort Worth, TX
- San Jose, CA
- Charlotte, NC
- Columbus, OH
- Indianapolis, IN
- San Francisco, CA
- Seattle, WA
- Denver, CO
- Oklahoma City, OK
- Philadelphia, PA
- Austin, TX
Sources
- 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
- Residential Improvements Permit ApplicationCity of San Antonio, Development Services DepartmentRevised September 2026Checked November 7, 2026
- Residential Permits - City of San AntonioCity of San Antonio, Development Services DepartmentChecked November 7, 2026
- FY 2027 Development Fee ScheduleCity of San Antonio, Development Services DepartmentRevised October 2026Checked November 7, 2026
- Contact & Connect - City of San AntonioCity of San Antonio, Development Services DepartmentChecked November 7, 2026
- No Permit Required List - City of San AntonioCity of San Antonio, Development Services DepartmentChecked November 6, 2026
- Information Bulletin 110: Accessing Information, Plan Review Comments, Inspections OnlineCity of San Antonio, Development Services DepartmentRevised April 2025Checked November 7, 2026