What's Required in San Antonio
- A permit is required unless the deck is uncovered, 300 square feet or less, 30 inches or lower, detached and not serving an exit door.
- Decks up to 1,000 square feet and one story use the Residential Improvements Permit Application on BuildSA.
- Decks over 1,000 square feet or two stories use the Residential Building Permit Application with plan review.
- Submit a detailed site plan plus footing, beam, connection, guard and stair details.
- Design must be engineered or follow IRC R507 and the DCA 6 guide.
- Decks 48 inches or more above grade need an engineer or architect letter for framing and foundation.
- Every permitted deck receives a city final inspection.
- Lighting, outlets, sinks or gas lines on a deck need separate trade permits from licensed contractors.
Does a deck need a permit in San Antonio?
Most do. City Code Section 10-6(e)(1)o exempts only an uncovered deck at a one- or two-family home that meets all four tests: it is not over 300 square feet, it is not more than 30 inches above grade at any point, it is not attached to the house, and it does not serve a required exit door. Fail any one of them, or add a roof, and you need a permit from the Development Services Department (DSD). A low freestanding platform in the back yard is usually exempt; a deck bolted to the house is not, however low it sits.
How much is a deck permit in San Antonio?
Decks up to 1,000 square feet and one story are filed on the Residential Improvements Permit Application and pay the flat Carport Covers and Decks Fee of $184.00 in DSD's FY 2027 Development Fee Schedule (revised September 2026). Two 4% surcharges make that $198.72 online; staff processing of a paper application adds $11.50 and card payments add 3%. Decks over 1,000 square feet, or two-story decks, use the Residential Building Permit Application instead, with a plan review fee invoiced before review and building permit fees assessed after it. Lights, outlets, a sink or a gas line on the deck each need their own trade permit, for example an electrical permit at $57.50 base plus per-item charges.
| What you are doing | City filing | Rule |
|---|---|---|
| Freestanding uncovered deck, 300 sq ft or less, under 30 in high | None | All four tests in 10-6(e)(1)o met |
| Any deck attached to the house | Building permit, $184.00 | Attached decks are not exempt |
| Freestanding deck over 300 sq ft | Building permit, $184.00 | Residential Improvements application |
| Deck more than 30 in above grade at any point | Building permit, $184.00 | Guard and footing review |
| Covered deck or patio cover over 300 sq ft or attached | Building permit | IB 151; Residential Improvements form |
| Deck over 1,000 sq ft or two stories | Residential Building Permit + plan review | IB 151 |
| Deck 48 in or more above grade | Engineer or architect letter for framing and foundation | IB 151 inspections |
What do deck plans and inspections need?
A deck of any size may be designed by a Texas-licensed engineer or architect, or built to the prescriptive rules of IRC Section R507 and the American Wood Council's DCA 6 guide. For a small deck you upload a detailed site plan and construction details: easements, lot size, footing dimensions, decking material, beam sizes, connections, guard details and stair design. DSD says approval normally comes within one to two days. The city performs the foundation and framing inspections on decks less than 48 inches above finished grade, or accepts an engineer or architect letter instead; decks 48 inches and higher need that letter to clear framing and foundation. Every deck gets a city final inspection, and a Letter of Completion is emailed when the permit closes.
Where can a deck go, and who can apply?
DSD's Residential Improvements form lists general setbacks for decks of 10 ft front, 5 ft side and 20 ft rear when attached or 5 ft rear when detached, as determined by the property's zoning, so check your district on the One Stop map. A homeowner may apply for any deck, covered or not, by certifying they will live in the home for more than 12 months; if you are selling soon, a licensed contractor has to apply.
How to Get a Deck Permit in San Antonio
Run the four exemption tests
Check area, height above grade, whether the deck attaches to the house and whether it serves an exit door. Failing any one means a permit.
Prepare the design
Have the deck engineered or detail it to IRC R507 and DCA 6, including footings, joists, beams, guards and stairs.
Apply on BuildSA
Use the Residential Improvements Permit Application for decks up to 1,000 square feet and one story, choosing Deck or Covered Patio, and upload the plans.
Pay and build
Pay the flat fee when the permit issues, usually within one to two days for small decks, and keep the approved plans on site.
Clear inspections
Schedule foundation, framing and final inspections on the permit record, or upload the engineer letter, then receive the Letter of Completion.