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San Antonio permit search: look up, apply and check a permit

San Antonio building permits are searched, filed and tracked in BuildSA, the City's online portal, and a record search by address needs no account. The City of San Antonio says: “Typically a building permit is required if you decide to build, remodel, repair or demolish a structure on your property. We have a few exceptions for some general repairs.” Search permits on BuildSA

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Sources read: 2026-10-29Updated 2026-10-29

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San Antonio permit timing and activity at a glance

Estimated initial review of residential plans3 business daysFrequently Asked Questions (FAQs), City of San Antonio (authority grain), read 2026-10-29
Deck or covered deck roof area above which a deck permit is required300 square feetInformation Bulletin 151: Residential Deck Permits and Handicapped Accessible Ramp Permits, City of San Antonio (authority grain), read 2026-10-29
Largest shed floor area on the No Permit Required List300 square feetNo Permit Required List - City of San Antonio, City of San Antonio (authority grain), read 2026-10-29
New housing units authorized in 1-unit buildings, Bexar County, 20254,589Census Bureau Building Permits Survey, annual county file 2025, Bexar County, Texas (county grain), read 2026-10-29
New housing units authorized, all building sizes, Bexar County, 20256,333Census Bureau Building Permits Survey, annual county file 2025, Bexar County, Texas (county grain), read 2026-10-29

Download this table: CSV · JSON

Do I need a permit for a fence in San Antonio?

Yes. The City's Home Remodeling FAQ says a permit is needed to install a brand new fence or to replace more than 25% of your fencing. A homeowner files a fence under the General Repairs permit with a site plan and proof of ownership, and that permit is issued over the counter. The City's homeowner permit table lists it this way:

Source: Residential Permits - City of San Antonio, read 2026-10-29

Start my request for a fence in San Antonio

Do I need a permit to repair or replace a roof in San Antonio?

Re-roofing your home needs a permit.

Source: Home Remodeling FAQ, read 2026-10-29

A homeowner can file a re-roof with no change in pitch and get the permit over the counter with proof of ownership; a re-roof that changes the pitch needs a full plan review. When the slope changes or the new roofing is tile, the re-roof application asks for an engineer's assessment inspection report to clear the framing inspection, and the City's Inspection Division does a final building inspection.

A maximum of 2 layers of roofing materials is allowed per the IRC.

Source: Re-Roof Permit Application, read 2026-10-29

Start my request for a roof repair or replacement in San Antonio

San Antonio permit requirements

One project can need several permits. The City gives the example of a deck with a ceiling fan and a sink, which takes building, electrical and plumbing permits:

Please note, your project may require multiple permits such as building, electrical, mechanical, and plumbing based upon the scope of your project. For example, if you are building a deck with a ceiling fan and sink, you will need the following permits: building, electrical, and plumbing.

Source: Residential Permits - City of San Antonio, read 2026-10-29

A deck needs a building permit when the deck or its covered roof is larger than 300 square feet, or when the deck is more than 30 inches above grade at any point, under Information Bulletin 151:

Uncovered or Covered Residential Decks are required to be permitted when: • The deck or the covered roof exceeds 300 square feet in area or, • The deck is more than 30 inches above grade at any point

Source: Information Bulletin 151: Residential Deck Permits and Handicapped Accessible Ramp Permits, read 2026-10-29

Trade work has its own triggers in the City's Home Remodeling FAQ: new receptacles, ceiling fans, light fixtures or sub-panels; HVAC equipment, exhaust fans, kitchen hoods or dryer ducts; and faucets, sinks, toilets, a water heater or softener, or sewer lines. For an urgent water heater or softener repair, a Limited Service Repair permit lets you file for the permit within 3 days.

Source: Home Remodeling FAQ, read 2026-10-29

Can a homeowner pull their own permit in San Antonio?

Yes, for many jobs. A homeowner can apply for permits for work on a home they own and can do many types of non-structural work themselves, but new electrical, plumbing or HVAC components go to a trade contractor. A plumbing permit goes to a homeowner for an existing homestead where they will do the work themselves.

A homeowner can only apply for a plumbing permit for an existing residence provided that it is their homestead and they will personally be doing the work.

Source: Residential Permits - City of San Antonio, read 2026-10-29

On a re-roof, the homeowner signs that they own and will own the home for 12 months after the project is complete, under City Code 10-115 (a)(1), and Information Bulletin 151 lets a homeowner apply for a small or a large deck. Contractors registered with the City can apply on the homeowner's behalf: home improvement contractors for certain non-structural permits, and residential building contractors for residential building permits.

Residential Building Contractors (Structural) registered with the City can obtain all residential building permits on behalf of the homeowner.

Source: Residential Permits - City of San Antonio, read 2026-10-29

What work does not need a permit in San Antonio?

The City's No Permit Required List names work that typically needs no permit: cabinets and counter tops, carpet and wood or laminate floors, painting, plastering, sheet rock repair, wallpapering and tiling, sidewalks and driveways inside your property line, swings and playground equipment, replacing broken window glass, replacing existing doors, and new siding over existing siding. Two items carry limits:

Source: No Permit Required List - City of San Antonio, read 2026-10-29

So a storage shed needs no permit up to 300 square feet of floor area when it meets the setbacks in Sec. 35-370(b) of the Unified Development Code. Properties in historic, neighborhood conservation or corridor districts can still face design and material limits:

While the above list may not require our department’s services, if your property is located in a Historic, Neighborhood Conservation or Corridor District, there may be restrictions on the design and materials used.

Source: No Permit Required List - City of San Antonio, read 2026-10-29

How much is a permit and how long does it take in San Antonio?

City permit fees: FY 2027 Development Fee Schedule, revised October 2026

Four residential lines from the City's fee schedule. Unless the schedule notes otherwise, its fees carry a 4% Technological Improvement surcharge and a 4% Development Services surcharge. These are government permit charges, not the price of the work.

Residential Fence Fee $28.75

Source: FY 2027 Development Fee Schedule, read 2026-10-29

Residential Repair Existing Re-Roof Fee $28.75

Source: FY 2027 Development Fee Schedule, read 2026-10-29

Carport Covers and Decks Fee $184.00

Source: FY 2027 Development Fee Schedule, read 2026-10-29

Plumbing - Permit Base Fee $57.50

Source: FY 2027 Development Fee Schedule, read 2026-10-29

Disclaimer: Unless noted, all fees are subject to a 4% Technological Improvement and a 4% Development Services surcharge. 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). Credit card payments are subject to an additional 3% administrative fee.

Source: FY 2027 Development Fee Schedule, read 2026-10-29

Timing depends on the job. General repair and small remodel permits are issued over the counter at the One Stop office, while new homes, room additions over 1000 square feet and 2-story additions go to the Plans Examiners, whose review typically takes three business days. The City's plan review list gives the same estimate for residential plans:

The estimated plan review turnaround times for initial plans review are as follows: Complex Commercial Plans – 18 calendar days Minor Plans Review – 10 business days Minor Structure Plan Review – 3 business days Residential Plans – 3 business days

Source: Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs), read 2026-10-29

Inspections are scheduled in BuildSA for a whole day rather than a time slot, and on a deck the City conducts a final inspection.

Before you apply in San Antonio: checklist

Confirm what the zoning district allows and that the lot is platted before you apply. For homeowner permits, have proof of ownership ready; add a site plan for a fence, deck or other general repair, and a site plan plus building plans for the IB 101 residential packet, which goes to full plan review. Minor repairs to windows, doors, walls, siding and floors need proof of ownership and are issued over the counter. On a plan review job, the documents go into the Plan Room after you submit:

After submittal, applicants must upload electronic documents to the Plan Room.

Source: Information Bulletin 110: Accessing Information, Plan Review Comments, Inspections Online, read 2026-10-29

San Antonio permit application

Applications go in through the City's BuildSA online portal, which takes them 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Create a portal account first; once you are logged in, the applications are under the Building tab. The same login lets an applicant amend records, pay fees, answer plan review comments and work with inspections.

All customers are encouraged to use the BuildSA online portal for plan submissions and permit applications.

Source: Contact & Connect - City of San Antonio, read 2026-10-29

San Antonio permit status

Search for the record in BuildSA and open it. Its Processing Status shows the workflow from submittal to record completion, and BuildSA lets you track application activity and view real time status; inspection status and scheduling are in the same portal. The City's guide is Access Permit Information and Plan Review Comments Online (PDF).

Processing Status will provide an overview of the application or permit workflow from submittal to record completion to keep track of where your project is in the system.

Source: Information Bulletin 110: Accessing Information, Plan Review Comments, Inspections Online, read 2026-10-29

San Antonio building permit records

Building permit records are open to search. In BuildSA a DSD application or permit can be searched and reviewed without logging in, and the Legacy Building Permit Search covers building permits issued from April 2003 through the end of November 2020.

Any DSD application or permit may be searched for and reviewed even without logging in with a BuildSA Portal Account.

Source: Information Bulletin 110: Accessing Information, Plan Review Comments, Inspections Online, read 2026-10-29

How do I contact the San Antonio building department?

Development Services issues residential building permits for property within the City limits. Its One Stop office keeps weekday hours, and visitors place themselves in line before entering the building. The department's contact options are on its Contact & Connect page.

Monday - Friday: 7:45 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.

Source: Residential Permits - City of San Antonio, read 2026-10-29

Sources

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