Residential Permits

Once you have verified what the zoning district allows for and your property is platted, you can proceed with a building permit application. Development Services is responsible for issuing residential building permits for property located within the City limits. We have designed our website so that you may easily find the forms and applications you will need depending upon whether you are a homeowner or contractor.

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. Our No Permit Required List identifies the types of projects that would not require a permit.

We conveniently issue general repair and small remodel permits over-the-counter at our One Stop:

Cliff Morton Development and Business Services Center
1901 S. Alamo St.
San Antonio, TX 78204
Directions

New homes, room additions over 1000 square feet, and any 2-story addition (regardless of the size) require a review by our Plans Examiners. This review typically takes three business days. 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.

To discover what permit types you may need, select what is most applicable to your situation:

Homeowners

If you own your residence, you can apply for specific permits to perform work in your home or you can also obtain other property use permits. While as a homeowner you can perform many types of non-structural work, for your safety you must use licensed trade contractors for new electrical, plumbing and/or HVAC project components. 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. (Refer to Plumbing Homeowner Affidavit (PDF)). For a list of projects you can obtain permits for yourself, review the homeowner section below.

Before Starting the Application

Before you start working on your permit application for your proposed home project, please read the questions below and answer Yes or No, and we will guide you to the appropriate permit application.

Refer to the Home Remodeling FAQs (PDF) for more information on permits required.

If you answered yes to any of the above questions, you, as the homeowner, can apply for the permits listed below.

Type of Application Required Documents
IB 101 - Residential Packet (PDF) (Homestead Only)
  • Site plan
  • Building Plans
  • Proof of Ownership
  • Full Plan Review Required
General Repairs (PDF) (Room Addition, Accessory Structures, Decks, Carports, Patio Covers, Porch Covers, Fence (PDF))
  • Site Plan
  • Proof of Ownership
  • Permit Issued over the counter
Swimming Pools (PDF)
  • Site Plan
  • Proof of Ownership
  • Permit Issued over the counter
Minor Repairs (PDF) (Windows, Doors, Walls, Siding and Floors)
  • Proof of Ownership
  • Permit Issued over the counter
Re-Roof with no change on pitch (PDF)
  • Proof of Ownership
  • Permit Issued over the counter
Re-Roof Change of Pitch (PDF)
  • Proof of Ownership
  • Full Plan Review Required
Foundation Repairs (PDF)
  • Proof of Ownership
  • Permit Issued over the counter
Demolition (PDF)
  • Site Plan
  • Proof of Ownership
  • Permit Issued over the counter
Plumbing (PDF) (only for existing homestead)
  • Proof of Ownership
Manufactured Home Installation - Mobile Home Park (PDF)
  • Permit Issued over the counter
Manufactured Home Installation – Private Lot (PDF)
  • Site plan
  • Building Plans
  • Proof of Ownership
  • Full Plan Review Required

Forms & Applications

Resources

Home Improvement Contractor

Home Improvement Contractor

Home Improvement Contractors (Non-Structural) who are registered with the City may obtain certain permits on behalf of the homeowner. The following chart summarizes the permits that a Home Improvement Contractor can obtain and the required submittal documents.

Type of Application Required Documents
Accessory Structure under 400 square feet
  • Site Plan
  • Permit Issued Over the Counter
Swimming Pools
  • Site Plan
  • Permit Issued Over the Counter
General Repairs
  • Permit Issued Over the Counter
Re-roof (no change in pitch)
  • Site Plan
  • Permit Issued Over the Counter
Fence
  • Site Plan
  • Permit Issued Over the Counter

Some general repairs do not require a permit. Our No Permit Required List identifies the types of projects.

Refer to the Home Remodeling FAQs (PDF) for more information on required permits.

Forms & Applications

Residential Building Contractor

Residential Building Contractors (Structural) registered with the City can obtain all residential building permits on behalf of the homeowner. Please refer to IB 101 (PDF) and the Review & Permitting section for requirements. Refer to the Home Remodeling FAQs (PDF) for more information on permits required.

Type of Application Required Documents
New Residential
  • Site Plan
  • Building Plans
  • Full Plan Review Required
Foundation Repairs
  • Permit Issued Over the Counter
Accessory Structure greater than 400 square feet
  • Site Plan
  • Permit Issued Over the Counter
Any Second Story Addition
  • Site Plan
  • Building Plans
  • Permit Issued Over the Counter
Swimming Pools
  • Site Plan
  • Permit Issued Over the Counter
General Repairs
  • Permit Issued Over the Counter
Re-roof (with change in pitch)
  • Full Plan Review Required
Fence
  • Site Plan
  • Permit Issued Over the Counter

Forms & Applications

Trade Contractor

Trade contractors that are licensed by the City or State and registered with the City may obtain trade permits on behalf of the homeowner. Permits that can be requested include:

Forms & Applications

Resources

In This Section

Get in Line

Check-in to Development Services using our website, by text message, or by downloading the Qless mobile application.

Contact

Address

Cliff Morton Development and Business Services Center (One Stop)
1901 S. Alamo St.
San Antonio, TX 78204
Directions

Information about visiting our office.

Hours

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

Related Links

Back to top