Deck permit in San Antonio, TX
It depends — some deck work in San Antonio needs a permit, some doesn't.
An uncovered deck accessory to a one- or two-family home is exempt only if it meets every condition at once: no more than 300 square feet, no more than 30 inches above grade at any point, not attached to the dwelling, and not serving a required exit door. Miss any one of those and you need a permit. An attached deck always needs a permit.
| Permit needed? | Depends on size |
|---|---|
| Where the line falls | Over 300 sq ft |
| Fee | Not in the ordinance — the department quotes it |
| Review time | Not in the ordinance |
| Code section | Sec. 10-6(e)(1)o |
| Based on | IRC 2024 as amended by the city |
Most building codes exempt a deck up to 200 sq ft. San Antonio is more lenient, allowing a deck up to 300 sq ft before a permit.
How to pull the permit
- Put together a site plan showing where the work goes, with dimensions.
- Apply through the San Antonio building department.
- Pay the permit fee when the permit is issued. Work done before that isn't covered.
- Book each inspection listed on the permit as the job reaches that stage.
Either of you can pull it. When a contractor does the work, it is normally their job.
If you skip it
San Antonio's code doesn't set a specific fine for this work. In practice the department can issue a stop-work order, and unpermitted work tends to surface during a sale, when the buyer's inspector or the title company asks for it.
Nearby cities, same job
Rules stop at the city line. If your lot is near a boundary, or you work across several towns, this is where they differ.
| City | Distance | Permit? | Where the line falls |
|---|---|---|---|
| San Antonio | — | Depends | Over 300 sq ft |
| New Braunfels | 30 mi | Depends | Over 200 sq ft |
| Round Rock | 90 mi | Depends | Over 200 sq ft |
| Killeen | 121 mi | Yes | Plan on a building permit to build or replace a deck, att… |
| Corpus Christi | 144 mi | Depends | Over 200 sq ft |
| College Station | 154 mi | Depends | Over 200 sq ft |
Other work in San Antonio
Questions people ask
My deck is right at the limit. Does that count?
The exemption has to fit exactly — if the code says a size or height, being at or under it keeps you exempt, and going a single inch over doesn't. When you're close to the line, measure before you buy materials, and call the department if the number is borderline.
I already built it without a permit. What now?
San Antonio can issue a stop-work order and require you to apply after the fact, sometimes with an extra fee. Work that was covered up may have to be opened for inspection. Full walkthrough here.
Does unpermitted work cause problems when selling the house?
Often, yes. A buyer's inspector or the title company may flag it, and lenders can balk at financing a home with open or missing permits. What to do about it.