Bexar County, TX Accessory Structures: Garage Conversions (2026)

A garage conversion inside San Antonio is a change of occupancy that triggers full building permit review under the International Residential Code as adopted by the city, including minimum ceiling height of 7 feet, bedroom egress windows, smoke and carbon-monoxide alarms, separate heating and cooling consistent with the primary dwelling, and insulation meeting current energy code. The Unified Development Code typically requires replacement off-street parking if the zoning district's minimum is not met with the driveway alone, and exterior changes must respect front-yard setbacks and neighborhood character. In unincorporated Bexar County there is no building permit for habitable space alteration, but septic capacity must meet TCEQ OSSF sizing for the new bedroom count, floodplain rules still apply, and many HOAs ban visible garage-door infill. Suburban cities like Schertz, Universal City, and Leon Valley follow IRC permitting. Unpermitted conversions can block insurance claims and sales, and are frequently flagged during real estate inspections.