What's Required in San Antonio
- Replacing or installing a condenser, coil, air handler, heat pump, furnace or mini split needs a mechanical permit.
- Portable cooling units and self-contained systems with 10 pounds or less of refrigerant are exempt.
- Motor, valve or control replacements are exempt when done by a licensed mechanical contractor.
- Only a State of Texas licensed mechanical contractor registered with the city may pull the permit.
- The application lists the license class, endorsement, each equipment item and the SEER2 rating.
- New circuits or gas lines for the equipment need separate electrical or gas permits.
- The permit closes with a mechanical inspection scheduled on BuildSA.
Do you need a permit to replace an AC or furnace in San Antonio?
Yes. City Code Section 10-6(a) requires a permit to install, alter, repair or replace any mechanical system the chapter regulates, and the Development Services Department (DSD) Home Remodeling FAQ says installing HVAC equipment needs a permit. The mechanical exemptions in Section 10-6(e)(4) are for portable heaters, portable cooling units and evaporative coolers, self-contained refrigeration systems with 10 pounds or less of refrigerant, and minor parts that do not alter the equipment's approval. A licensed mechanical contractor can also replace a system motor, solenoid valves or the controls associated with the motor without a permit under Section 10-6(e)(2)b. Swapping a condenser, coil, air handler, heat pump or furnace is permit work, like for like or not.
How much is an HVAC permit in San Antonio?
DSD's FY 2027 Development Fee Schedule (revised September 2026) charges a $57.50 mechanical permit base fee on existing homes plus a per-item charge: $7.19 for each condensing unit, heat pump, cooling coil, air handler, electric furnace or mini split, and $11.04 for a gas furnace. A house getting central HVAC for the first time pays a flat $88.55 per system including inspection, and $63.25 for each additional system.
- Heat pump and air handler change-out: $57.50 + $7.19 + $7.19 = $71.88, or $77.63 with the two 4% surcharges.
- Split system with gas furnace (condenser, coil, furnace): $57.50 + $7.19 + $7.19 + $11.04 = $82.92, or $89.55 with surcharges.
- First central systems in a two-zone house: $88.55 + $63.25 = $151.80, or $163.94 with surcharges.
Duct outlets are $2.30 each if the job adds them. Paper applications processed by staff add $11.50; card payments add 3%. A new circuit or disconnect for the equipment is a separate electrical permit, and a new gas line is a separate gas permit.
| What you are doing | City filing | Rule |
|---|---|---|
| Replacing a capacitor, motor or controls | None if done by a licensed mechanical contractor | 10-6(e)(2)b |
| Window unit or portable AC | None | Portable cooling units (10-6(e)(4)) |
| Heat pump and air handler swap | Mechanical permit, $71.88 | $57.50 + two items at $7.19 |
| Condenser, coil and gas furnace | Mechanical permit, $82.92 | Gas furnace item $11.04 |
| Ductless mini split | Mechanical permit, $57.50 + $7.19 per unit | Mini split system item |
| First central system in a home with none | Mechanical permit, $88.55 | Includes inspection fee |
| Each additional new system | Mechanical permit, $63.25 | Existing residential |
Who can pull an HVAC permit in San Antonio?
A licensed contractor, not the homeowner. DSD's residential permits page says homeowners must use licensed trade contractors for new electrical, plumbing and HVAC work. Mechanical work in the city requires a State of Texas mechanical license, which DSD registers at no fee; the Mechanical Permit Application asks for the state contractor license number, the license class (A or B) and the endorsement, and the contractor initials that they will install only equipment allowed under the license class and endorsements registered with TDLR. The application also asks for the new equipment's SEER2 rating.
What gets inspected?
The mechanical permit closes with an inspection that your contractor schedules on BuildSA, free online (the schedule lists a $3.45 scheduling fee otherwise); a failed inspection costs $57.50 to re-inspect. Starting the change-out before the permit is issued doubles the permit fee.
How to Get a HVAC Permit in San Antonio
Get bids from licensed contractors
Confirm each contractor holds a Texas mechanical license and is registered with the City of San Antonio, and that the bid includes the permit.
Contractor files the mechanical permit
The contractor submits the Mechanical Permit Application on BuildSA listing each unit, the SEER2 rating and the license class.
Add electrical or gas permits if needed
A new circuit, disconnect or gas line is permitted separately by the licensed trade.
Install the equipment
Work starts after the permit issues; starting first doubles the fee.
Pass the final inspection
The contractor schedules the mechanical inspection online, where scheduling is free, and the permit closes when it passes.