County building permit guide
Bexar County, Texas building permits — complete guide (2026)
Bexar County encompasses San Antonio, the second-largest city in Texas by population and one of the fastest-growing in the country. San Antonio sits entirely over the Edwards Aquifer recharge zone, creating unique development constraints around water quality and impervious cover. The city operates an efficient online permitting system and has lower fees than Austin for comparable projects. Military installations — including Joint Base San Antonio — create additional airspace considerations for certain projects.
Avg cost: $125–$400Processing: 2–4 weeksEdwards Aquifer zoneMilitary airspace
$125–$400Avg permit cost
2–4 weeksProcessing time
~30,000Permits/year
YesADU-friendly
Ready to apply for your Bexar County, Texas permit?
Apply through the City of San Antonio's Development Services online portal (AMANDA system) for San Antonio properties. Bexar County covers unincorporated areas separately.
Bexar County, Texas Building Department Online permitting available
DepartmentCity of San Antonio Development Services Dept
Websitewww.sanantonio.gov/DSD ↗
Phone(210) 207-1111
Address1901 S Alamo St, San Antonio, TX 78204
HoursMon–Fri 7:45am–4:30pm CT
Permit systemAMANDA online permit portal
The City of San Antonio Development Services covers incorporated San Antonio — a very large geographic footprint. Bexar County covers unincorporated areas including communities along US 281, US 90, and I-35 corridors. Surrounding cities including Converse, Schertz, and Universal City each have their own departments.
San Antonio sits over the Edwards Aquifer recharge zone — one of the most important drinking water sources in Texas. Development in the recharge and contributing zones requires compliance with the Edwards Aquifer Protection Plan. Impervious cover limits and water quality controls apply to most new construction and significant additions.
Permit fees — Bexar County, Texas 2026
| Permit type | Fee range | Processing | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| New Construction | $700–$2,200 | 3–7 weeks | Edwards Aquifer compliance may add review time for recharge zone properties |
| Room Addition | $350–$800 | 2–4 weeks | Impervious cover limits apply; verify before designing large additions or patios |
| Pool | $200–$500 | 2–4 weeks | High pool permit demand; aquifer zone properties have additional review |
| Roofing | $125–$320 | 1–3 days | Hail season (spring) drives surge volume; efficient online process |
| Electrical | $75–$200 | 1–3 days | CPS Energy rebates for EV chargers and efficient equipment drive permit volume |
| HVAC / Mechanical | $75–$200 | 1–3 days | CPS Energy rebate program; permit required for all system replacements |
| ADU | $280–$650 | 2–4 weeks | San Antonio updated ADU rules — now allows detached ADUs in SF districts |
| Solar | $75–$180 | 1–2 weeks | CPS Energy solar rebate program is one of Texas's most generous; high adoption rate |
| Fence | $50–$120 | 1–3 days | Simple process; setback compliance required; HOA rules apply in many neighborhoods |
| Deck / Patio | $100–$270 | 1–3 weeks | Covered patios very popular in SA climate; straightforward permit process |
How to get a permit in Bexar County, Texas
1
Check Edwards Aquifer zone status
Determine if your property is in the Edwards Aquifer recharge, transition, or contributing zone using the Edwards Aquifer Authority's online mapping tool. Recharge zone properties have the strictest development standards.
2
Confirm San Antonio vs Bexar County jurisdiction
San Antonio covers a large geographic area. Use the Bexar County Appraisal District site to confirm your jurisdiction. Unincorporated Bexar County uses a separate permit system.
3
Apply through AMANDA online
San Antonio's AMANDA portal handles residential permits online. Most trade permits can be applied for and approved without visiting the permit office.
4
Await plan review
San Antonio processes standard residential permits in 2–3 weeks. Aquifer zone projects with water quality review may take 3–5 weeks. New construction runs 4–7 weeks.
5
CPS Energy coordination for solar and EV
San Antonio's CPS Energy utility has strong rebate programs for solar, EV chargers, and efficient HVAC. Coordinate CPS Energy interconnection alongside your permit application to maximize timeline efficiency.
6
Inspections and certificate
San Antonio offers online inspection scheduling. New construction requires a Certificate of Occupancy. Residential additions receive a Certificate of Completion.
Jurisdictions within Bexar County, Texas
Special zone requirements
Edwards Aquifer Recharge
West/NW San Antonio
The recharge zone feeds the Edwards Aquifer — San Antonio's primary drinking water source. Impervious cover is limited and water quality controls required for all construction.
Military Airspace
Near JBSA
Joint Base San Antonio (Lackland, Randolph, Fort Sam) creates height restrictions and airspace coordination requirements for construction within approach corridors.
River Walk District
Downtown SA
San Antonio's River Walk creates special development standards downtown. Waterfront construction requires coordination with the San Antonio River Authority.
Flood Zone AE
San Antonio River
The San Antonio River and Leon Creek create FEMA flood zones through the urban core. Flood elevation compliance required for new construction and substantial improvements.
Frequently asked questions — Bexar County, Texas
How does the Edwards Aquifer affect permitting in San Antonio?
San Antonio sits entirely over the Edwards Aquifer, the primary drinking water source for 2 million people. Properties in the recharge zone — mostly the western and northwestern parts of the city — face impervious cover limits and mandatory water quality controls for development. The Edwards Aquifer Authority monitors and regulates activity in these zones. Projects may require EAA review in addition to standard city building permits.
What is CPS Energy and how does it relate to permits?
CPS Energy is San Antonio's municipal electric and gas utility — the largest municipally-owned energy utility in the US. CPS offers generous rebates for solar, EV chargers, and efficient HVAC equipment. Permits for these systems are required from the city, but CPS Energy interconnection and rebate applications are handled separately through CPS. Coordinating both simultaneously speeds up the process.
Does San Antonio have an owner-builder program?
Yes. Texas law allows homeowners to pull permits for their primary residence under the owner-builder exemption. San Antonio honors this — you can act as your own general contractor for most residential work. Licensed subcontractors are still required for electrical, plumbing, and HVAC work.
What is the airspace restriction near JBSA?
Joint Base San Antonio includes Lackland AFB, Randolph AFB, and Fort Sam Houston. The FAA designates approach and departure corridors around military airfields that restrict building heights. Construction exceeding certain heights within these corridors requires FAA notification and sometimes coordination with the base. This primarily affects commercial construction but can impact tall residential projects and communication towers.
Sources: City of San Antonio Development Services fee schedule 2026 · Edwards Aquifer Authority · CPS Energy · IBC/IRC 2021 · FEMA NFHL · US Census Bureau BPS 2024 · Shovels.ai permit aggregator