Driveway permit in San Antonio, TX
It depends — some driveway work in San Antonio needs a permit, some doesn't.
A driveway sitting no more than 30 inches above the surrounding grade, with nothing below it and not forming part of an accessible route, needs no building permit. A curb cut is a separate matter and is restricted in some areas.
| Permit needed? | Depends on size |
|---|---|
| Where the line falls | Over 30 in above grade |
| Fee | Not in the ordinance — the department quotes it |
| Review time | Not in the ordinance |
| Code section | Sec. 10-6(e)(1)f, curb cuts in Sec. 29-13 |
| Based on | IRC 2024 as amended by the city |
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 30 in above grade |
| Austin | 74 mi | Depends | A driveway, sidewalk, or concrete flatwork on your own lo… |
| Killeen | 121 mi | Yes | You need a permit to pour, widen, or replace a driveway. … |
| Houston | 190 mi | Yes | You need a permit before you build, rebuild, repair, or r… |
| Mesquite | 255 mi | Yes | No size threshold in the code |
| Richardson | 265 mi | Yes | No size threshold in the code |
Other work in San Antonio
Questions people ask
My driveway 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.