Building Permits in San Antonio, TX
Check permit requirements for home improvement projects in San Antonio. Select a project type below to see local requirements, estimated fees, and how to apply.
Recent permit activity in San Antonio
We track 94,047 permit records from San Antonio's official open-data feed, updated within the last month. Filed by 15,468 different contractors.
Thinking about a project? Check what permits have already been pulled on a property — data is current to within the last month. Useful for buyers vetting a listing, or homeowners curious about their neighbors' renovations.
Key Exemptions in San Antonio
These projects typically don't require a building permit in San Antonio:
Cosmetic bathroom renovations (paint, tile, vanity replacement) without moving plumbing or electrical do not require a permit.
Small at-grade patio slabs under 120 square feet are typically exempt from building permits per IRC R105.2 (extended via local amendment). The slab must be at-grade (not more than 30 inches above adjacent grade) and not part of an accessible route.
Freestanding decks 30 inches or less above grade are exempt from building permits.
Replacing an existing driveway in the same footprint with no changes to the curb cut is generally exempt from permit requirements.
Replacing an existing light fixture, switch, or outlet on the same circuit (like-for-like) does not require an electrical permit.
See all rules by selecting a project type below, or use our free lookup tool for a personalized answer.
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San Antonio Building Department
Nearby Cities in Texas
Permit Guides
Read our in-depth guides for common home improvement projects: