Getting started on a construction or trades project in Bexar County, Texas? Securing the right permits is a must. This guide covers key Bexar County building permit requirements, application steps, fees, and trade-specific permits for work in unincorporated Bexar County.
If you're building within San Antonio city limits, separate permit processes apply through the city’s Development Services.
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What requires a building permit in Bexar County?
Bexar County permitting applies primarily to unincorporated areas. The Bexar County Building Department requires a permit for most work that involves structure, utilities, grading, or new construction.
Typical projects that require a building permit:
- Commercial and residential buildings and additions
- Site-clearing, land development or major site work (e.g., clearing land, construction on previously undeveloped land, major grading/fill, new driveways or access roads)
- Floodplain / Watershed / Drainage / Stormwater-impacting work
- Septic / On-Site Sewage Facilities (OSSF)
- Installation or modification of fire-protection, alarm, sprinkler, suppression, fuel tank, industrial-type systems
- Change of occupancy, business establishment, or substantial renovation of commercial / public-use buildings
To get more information, refer to the “What do I have to do to get a building permit?” page.
Bexar County building permit cost
Permit fees in Bexar County depend on the type, size, and value of your project. Here’s a general breakdown.
Residential fees
Commercial fees
Commercial valuation fee schedule
For more information on other fees available, refer to the fee schedule page.
How long do building permits last in Bexar County?
Bexar County permits are typically valid for 180 days from the date of issue. Construction must begin within that time or the permit may expire. If you need more time, you can request a permit extension, granted in 6-month increments, provided inspections have been scheduled or work has started.
Bexar County trade permits
Plumbing permits
Separate plumbing permits are required for any new system installs, water/sewer connections, or gas piping work.
Electrical permits
Electrical permits are mandatory for new wiring, upgrades, or service installations.
HVAC permits
Mechanical permits apply to the installation or replacement of any HVAC systems, ducts, or ventilation systems.
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How to get a building permit in Bexar County
Step 1: Confirm jurisdiction
Before doing anything else, you must check whether your property is in unincorporated Bexar County or within a city / municipal boundary (or ETJ).
- If the property lies inside a city or its ETJ, the city issues building permits, not the county
- If the property is unincorporated (outside any city), then Bexar County, specifically the county’s Public Works & Fire Marshal offices, handles permitting
- Mistaking jurisdiction can cause your permit request to be denied or considered invalid
Once you verify you are in unincorporated Bexar County, proceed.
Step 2: Prepare your documents
Before applying, gather all required documents, the more complete your package, the smoother the process. At minimum, expect to need:
- A completed Bexar County “Building & System(s) Permit Application” (or Work Authorization form)
- A signed “Permit Verification Form (PV / BPA)” from the county’s Public Works Department. It confirms that all required permits or reviews (septic/OSSF, drainage/floodplain, ROW, environmental, etc.) have been considered
- A site plan showing property boundaries, building footprint, and distances to property lines, driveways/access roads, existing structures, drainage flow, and any easements or rights-of-way
- Full architectural/structural plans, including as applicable:
- Floor plan (rooms, uses, doors, room sizes)
- Building elevations (all sides)
- Electrical layout
- HVAC / mechanical layout
- Any fire-protection / suppression / alarm system plans (if required)
- If land is being disturbed (grading, clearing, cut/fill, etc.), a drainage / stormwater / floodplain report or permit may be required
- If the property is not connected to municipal sewer: an OSSF (onsite sewage) / septic permit may be required
- Contractor licensing, insurance info, and, if required, proof that utilities or fire-safety contractors are appropriately licensed
- A project narrative/description explaining the scope of work, occupancy type, number of dwelling units, proposed uses, and any special systems (fire, mechanical, utilities, etc.)
Step 3: Pre-authorization via Public Works
Before submitting a building permit application to the Fire Marshal, you must obtain a “Building Permit Authorization” (BPA) signed by Bexar County Public Works.
- This way you make sure all prerequisite reviews and permits (stormwater, drainage, septic/OSSF, ROW, floodplain, environmental, etc.) are addressed
- The Public Works office handling this is located at:
- Address: 1948 Probandt St., San Antonio, TX 78214
- Phone: 210-335-6700
Step 4: Submit Bexar County building permit application to Fire Marshal
Once the BPA is in hand, submit your application package to the Bexar County Fire Marshal's Office (BCFMO). Expect to deliver:
- The completed permit form (or work-authorization form) depending on project type: commercial, system work (electrical, HVAC, plumbing, sprinklers), or voluntary residential (if needed)
- Two sets of architectural/structural drawings + site plan + BPA + any additional permit-approval documents (septic, drainage, ROW, environmental, etc)
- Payment for the permit fee (non-refundable) as determined by the county’s fee schedule
Step 5: Plan review, revisions & additional permits
Once submitted, your project goes through plan review by the Fire Marshal. Depending on what you are building, other departments may also review (floodplain, environmental, septic, etc.). During this stage:
- The county verifies your project meets current adopted codes: effective January 1, 2024 → the 2021 International Building and Fire Codes, along with Bexar County's local modifications
- Projects with fire-protection equipment (alarm systems, sprinklers, suppression systems) must have plans that satisfy fire-code requirements
- Plan revisions and resubmissions may be necessary if reviewers identify concerns (structural specifications, fire-safety measures, site plan details, septic design, drainage, etc.)
- Additional permits (stormwater, environmental, ROW, septic/OSSF, floodplain) must be secured before your building permit gets approved or at the same time
Typical review timeline: Per state law, the county must approve or deny a properly submitted permit within 30 days.
Step 6: Pay fees & receive permit
After review approval, you’ll get a fee summary. Once payment is complete, your permit is issued and must be posted on site before work begins.
Step 7: Construction & inspections
After permit issuance, you may begin construction, but you must schedule and pass required inspections at various stages. Common inspection checkpoints include:
- Structural/foundation inspections (when required fire-separation or structural load standards apply)
- Rough-in inspections for electrical, plumbing, HVAC if these systems were part of the permit
- Fire-protection system inspections (sprinklers, alarms, suppression), if applicable
- Final inspection (code compliance, safety, occupancy, drainage, utilities)
Inspections are carried out by Bexar County Fire Marshal inspectors. After final approval, the county issues a Certificate of Occupancy (Compliance), which is required before using or occupying the building. If work is altered or paused for too long, the permit may expire (standard validity is 180 days).
Bexar County permitting resources
- Bexar County Building Department
- Address: 1948 Probandt St., San Antonio, TX 78214
- Phone: 210-335-6700
- Bexar County Permit Portal
- Office hours: Monday – Friday, 7:30 AM – 4:00 PM
- Permit verification guidelines
- Fee Schedule
- Knox authorization order form instructions
- Building and system permit application
- Change of Occupancy application
- General permit process
- Who has to get a building permit?
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