Within Development Services, the Land Development Division reviews and approves all master development plans, land plats, tree preservation, infrastructure, traffic impact analysis, and zoning. When you’re ready to start developing property in the City, our Land Development staff will meet with you to guide you through the process.

Land Development is led by Assistant Director Melissa Ramirez. This division has the following sub-teams: Land Entitlements, Engineering and Tree Preservation, Zoning, Policy Administration and Transportation Review.

The Zoning Section provides guidance on the zoning and plan amendment process. When you start your project, this section can help you identify the uses allowed on the property based on the specific zoning district and help you verify zoning development requirements.

The Zoning team is also responsible for cases submitted for Board of Adjustment consideration. The Board of Adjustment reviews requests for variances, special exceptions and appeals for development project plans.

The Street Construction staff reviews all Master Development Plans (MDP) and plats, and handles permits and inspections for driveways and sidewalks. The City Arborist and his team ensures new development in our city meets all code requirements of the tree preservation ordinance by reviewing tree preservation plans, issuing permits, and conducting inspections. We want to make sure your projects are successful. Our staff is available to address questions you may have regarding processes or city code requirements. 

The Street and Traffic Review Section team works on evaluating and mitigating impacts of new residential and commercial developments on existing transportation infrastructure by conducting Traffic Impact Analysis (TIA) studies. TIA mitigation reviews can include traffic signal warrants, on-street parking, loading areas, median openings, right or left turn lane designs, Master Development Plans (MDP), and reviewing traffic flow patterns in existing and new schools. Dealing with zoning, platting, permits for building and street improvements may also be part of our review. 

Effective Oct. 16, 2020, Policy and Land Entitlements are aligned as its own section.

The Policy Administration Team assists and manages the Unified Development Code, Technical Advisory Committee, SEP-HCP, Military Liaisons, Rights Determinations, Tree Permit Rights Verification, Council Consideration Requests, Rule Interpretation Decisions, Annexation Liaisons, State and Federal Legislature items, Interlocal Agreements, Memos of Understanding, Information Bulletins, and all other Policy or Code related items within the department.

The Land Entitlements Section includes both Subdivision and Addressing teams. The Subdivision Team can help with Master Development Plans, Planned Unit Developments, Plats, assist with the processing of Rights Determination, and scheduling items for Planning Commission consideration. In addition, the Addressing Team handles street renaming and addressing residential and non-residential properties.

Within Development Services, the Plan Review Division wants to make your permitting process as efficient and easy to navigate as possible. Whether you are a resident improving your home, a small business owner starting a new venture, or a commercial entity ready to expand, we are ready to walk you step-by-step through the plan review and permitting process.

Plan Review is led by Assistant Director Crystal Gonzales, PE, CBO. This division has two sub-department teams: Plan Review and Customer Advocate. 

The Plan Review team works with you to make sure your building plans comply with the City’s requirements, particularly building codes and the Unified Development Code. Development Services reviews building plans for zoning, fire, building, electrical, mechanical, plumbing, traffic, tree, landscape and irrigation. Since City Development involves reviews by other City departments and outside agencies, the Plan Review Section coordinates those reviews.

The Customer Advocate team wants you to have the best customer experience possible when working with Development Services. The Call Center answers the department’s main telephone lines, directing you to the proper staff person to help you and answering any questions you have about your development project.

The Permits/Licenses/Certificates of Occupancy Section helps homeowners and licensed contractors receive the right permits for their proposed projects. Permits are required for projects from room additions to foundation repairs and building a new home. After you receive approval of all of the required inspections for your building project, this team will issue your certificate of occupancy and will send a notice of utility release to CPS Energy, allowing you to establish service with CPS Energy. 

Within Development Services, the Field Services Division wants to make your inspection process as efficient and easy to navigate as possible. Whether you are a resident improving your home, a small business owner starting a new venture, or a commercial entity ready to expand, we will work with you to ensure that buildings, structures, and building service equipment are constructed or installed according to the minimum standards set forth in the building-related codes adopted by San Antonio.

Field Services is led by Deputy Director Amin Tohmaz, PE. This division has two sub-teams: Building Inspections and Code Enforcement.

Within the Field Services team, the Building Inspections Section handles all inspections required for your building permits on private or public property:

• Residential and Commercial Building
• Electrical
• Mechanical
• Plumbing
• Signs and Billboards
• Public School Districts

Within the Field Services Division, the Code Enforcement team helps make sure that property is maintained in the City of San Antonio. We have more than 100 code enforcement officers assigned throughout the City. For more information on the coverage area for each of the field units, visit the Code Enforcement Teams & Units section of our website.

Code Enforcement team also has a Special Units Section that ensures City of San Antonio residents are safe, properties are maintained and is also dedicated to preserving the beauty of our City. The Section consists of the following teams: Neighborhood Enhancement, Graffiti Abatement, Zoning and Permitting, Boarding Homes, Building Standards Board Support Unit, and operational staff that support Code Enforcement.