Building and Miscellaneous Permits
Permits help to protect public health, safety and general welfare by providing a system to ensure that construction within Alamo Heights meets code standards that specify the minimum acceptable level of safety for structures and the built environment. Permits also aid home/business owners in ensuring that the services for construction provided by their contractors has been reviewed for compliance with adopted ordinances as well as the minimum safety standards within the building and fire codes.
The following permits are now available online:
Minor Repair
Mechanical
Plumbing
Electrical
Sewer
Gas
When making improvements, protect the safety of your family and the value of your home by getting the necessary permits as well as using licensed contractors and tradesmen.
| Projects Requiring Permits | |
|---|---|
| Inside | Outside |
| Plumbing Work Heating and A/C installations or replacements Water heater installations or replacements Boiler installation or replacements Electrical Work Electrical panels, lines or fixtures Installation or replacement of windows and/or doors Structural modifications All interior remodeling |
Plumbing Work Lawn sprinkler systems Swimming pools, hot tubs, spas Fences, arbors, trellis, walls, retaining walls, and wooden decks Foundation repair work Driveways and other concrete work All structures and additions All New Construction Additions and Alterations All Garages/carports Patio enclosures Swimming Pools Storage Sheds Roofing (reshingling and redecking) Porch/patio covers, awnings & carports Replacing windows or doors Replacing siding Tree removal |
| Projects Which Do Not Require Permit | |
|---|---|
| Inside | Outside |
| Routine Maintenance, for example: Refinishing wood floors, interior painting, wall papering, tiling, carpeting, or installing cabinets, counter tops and similar finish work; Replacement of missing, fallen, rotten, or broken shingles, siding, fascia trim, decking, exterior doors with the same material and finished color; Installing swings and other playground equipment accessory to a one or two-family dwelling; Minor landscaping, including the replacement of or the planting of small bushes, trees, shrubs in quantities less than twelve (12) pieces, and which do not require excavation to a depth greater than twenty-four (24) inches; Replacement of lamps or the connection of approved portable electrical equipment to approved permanently installed receptacles; Replacement of fuses and bulbs, light globes, fluorescent or neon tubes, damaged motors, defective receptacles, switches, cords or minor parts of existing equipment already installed under a previous permit; Replacing filters, portable household appliances, or plumbing fixtures such as toilets, faucets and hose bibs; Repair of leaks in drains or pipes; provided, however, that if any concealed trap or pipe becomes defective and it becomes necessary to remove and replace the same with new material, such work shall be considered as new work and a permit shall be obtained and inspection made as provided in this code; Repair of leaks or removal of stoppages in pipes, valves or fixtures, and the removal and reinstallation of water closets, provided such repairs do not involve or require the replacement or rearrangement of valves, pipes or fixtures. |
General Landscaping (Multi-family or commercial properties require permit) Lawn Replacement |
| This is not a complete list of all type of projects | |
The information provided above is only a summary of the requirements for permits. For further details please contact the Planning and Development Services Department to help answer any questions, or reference Chapter 5 Building and Building Regulations within the city’s adopted Code of Ordinances.