What San Antonio Regulates: A Complete Ordinance Overview

As one of the larger cities in Texas, San Antonio has a substantial set of local ordinances that govern everything from noise levels to what you can build in your backyard. With 1.4 million, the city maintains 213 distinct rules across 54 categories. This guide gives you the big picture.

Fire Regulations

Outdoor Burning: San Antonio Code of Ordinances Sec. 14-46 makes it unlawful to burn solid waste on any premises in the city unless both the TCEQ and the fire department have approved it first.

Also covered: Fire Pits & Backyard Fires (moderate), Smoke Detectors (moderate), Fireworks (limited). See the full fire regulations guide for San Antonio for details.

Sign Regulations

Digital Billboards: New off-premises digital signs, digital billboards, are prohibited across San Antonio and its ETJ. Only the roughly 13 LED billboards from a 2007 pilot program, plus narrowly council-authorized additions, may operate, and each must meet strict dwell-time, spacing, and brightness limits..

Also covered: Garage Sale Signs (limited), Freeway-Facing Signs (restrictive), Window Signs (moderate). See the full sign regulations guide for San Antonio for details.

Firearms

Concealed Carry: Since 2021, Texas House Bill 1927 lets most adults 21 and older carry a handgun concealed without a permit. The optional License to Carry under Texas Government Code chapter 411 still gives reciprocity, school-zone benefits, and federal background-check shortcuts in San Antonio..

Also covered: Firearms in Vehicles (permissive), Open Carry (permissive). See the full firearms guide for San Antonio for details.

Single-Use Items

Plastic Straw Rules: San Antonio does not regulate plastic straws or stirrers. Texas state law preempts city container regulations, and restaurants may distribute single-use plastic straws freely without on-request or upon-request limits anywhere in the city..

Also covered: Polystyrene Foam Rules (permissive). See the full single-use items guide for San Antonio for details.

Immigration Policy

Sanctuary Policy Preemption: Texas SB 4 (2017), codified in Government Code Chapter 752, prohibits any Texas city from adopting sanctuary policies. San Antonio is not a sanctuary city; SAPD must honor ICE detainers and may inquire about immigration status during lawful stops..

Animal Ordinances

Bird Protection: San Antonio bans feeding or sheltering wild animals and birds anywhere on airport property at San Antonio International and Stinson Municipal airports, with a narrow carve-out for animals only being transported through. Anyone on airport grounds must also properly dispose of unused or abandoned food and containers so they do not attract wildlife, under Code of Ordinances Sec.

Also covered: Pet Store Rules (moderate), Pet Groomer Rules (moderate), Microchipping (moderate). See the full animal ordinances guide for San Antonio for details.

Building Safety

Carbon Monoxide Detectors: San Antonio's Fire Code, Sec. 11-40 amending Section 915.4, requires carbon monoxide detection in new buildings and points existing buildings to Section 1103.9.

Also covered: Fire Sprinkler Requirements (moderate), Green Building Code (permissive), Door Locking Hardware (moderate). See the full building safety guide for San Antonio for details.

Water Use Rules

Leak Reporting Duty: San Antonio's drought and water conservation ordinance classifies failing to repair a controllable leak as unlawful "waste" of water. SAWS enforces the rule citywide and in its ETJ, with Class C misdemeanor fines that escalate for repeat violations and possible water service discontinuation for chronic offenders..

Also covered: Turf Replacement Rebates (permissive), Recycled Water Rules (moderate). See the full water use rules guide for San Antonio for details.

Public Conduct

Loitering Rules: San Antonio bans loitering in public for the purpose of soliciting prostitution under City Code Sec. 21-25(c), a Class C misdemeanor.

Also covered: Public Urination (moderate), Aggressive Panhandling (moderate), Public Marijuana Use (moderate). See the full public conduct guide for San Antonio for details.

Hotels & Lodging

Transient Occupancy Tax: San Antonio hotels collect a 9% city Hotel Occupancy Tax under SAMC Chapter 31 (7% general plus 2% expansion) on top of the 6% Texas state HOT, producing a 15% combined burden. Operators register with the San Antonio Finance Department and file monthly returns electronically..

Noise from Specific Sources

Bar & Nightclub Noise: San Antonio caps noise from entertainment-zoned property, the bars, nightclubs and live-music venues where amplified sound concentrates, at 85 decibels using the Leq averaging method, measured from an adjoining property under separate ownership. Sec.

Also covered: Car Alarm Limits (moderate), HVAC & Mechanical Noise (moderate). See the full noise from specific sources guide for San Antonio for details.

Drone Rules

Airport Proximity Rules: Drone pilots cannot fly inside the Class C or D airspace covering San Antonio International and Stinson Municipal Airports without FAA Air Traffic Control Tower authorization. Anyone flying within three miles of either airport must first call the airport duty manager and the FAA tower before takeoff..

Also covered: Recreational Drones (permissive). See the full drone rules guide for San Antonio for details.

Rental Inspections

Inspection Programs: San Antonio enrolls apartment complexes of five or more units in a mandatory Apartment Inspection Program once an owner racks up three program points in six months. Enrolled owners must register, pay a fee, and submit to monthly inspections of common areas and a sample of units..

Also covered: Tenant Complaint Process (moderate). See the full rental inspections guide for San Antonio for details.

Mobility & Curb Rules

TNC Pickup Zones: Uber, Lyft and other transportation network companies operating at San Antonio's airports must use the TNC's own app for every trip and confine pick-ups and drop-offs to zones the aviation department designates, which the director can change, alter or expand at any time..

Also covered: E-Bike Classes (moderate), Shared E-Scooter Rules (restrictive), Bike Lane Rules (limited). See the full mobility & curb rules guide for San Antonio for details.

Parking Rules

Curb Color Rules: Painting house or street numbers on San Antonio curbs or driveway approaches for pay is a licensed trade. Sec.

Also covered: Driveway Rules (moderate), Preferential Parking Districts (moderate), Loading Zones (moderate). See the full parking rules guide for San Antonio for details.

Local Taxes & Fees

Business Tax Classification: San Antonio levies a local occupation tax on every business, profession or occupation equal to half the state's occupation tax and fee for that classification. Operators must buy a license from the tax assessor-collector before opening, renewed annually by June 1..

Gambling & Gaming

Game Room Regulations: San Antonio taxes and decals every skill, pleasure, or music coin-operated machine, the category covering eight-liner and game-room devices, at up to a quarter of the state occupation tax per machine. Machines without a valid decal are unlawful to possess or exhibit and can be sealed shut..

Rental Property Rules

Repairs & Habitability: San Antonio adopts the San Antonio Property Maintenance Code as its minimum housing standard under Sec. 6-51, and multifamily complexes with five or more units that rack up repeated code violations are enrolled in the Apartment Inspection Program under Sec.

Also covered: Just Cause Eviction (permissive), Security Deposit Rules (limited), No-Fault Evictions (permissive). See the full rental property rules guide for San Antonio for details.

Trash & Recycling

Dumpster Rules: San Antonio's Code of Ordinances Sec. 14-41 sets tight placement and collection windows for commercial dumpsters and roll-out containers, especially downtown.

Also covered: Mandatory Organics Recycling (limited), Collection Schedule (moderate), Recycling Rules (moderate). See the full trash & recycling guide for San Antonio for details.

Public Health Rules

Restaurant Grade Cards: San Antonio requires every food establishment to post its current health permit and the latest city inspection report where customers can see it. The Metropolitan Health District also issues an optional grade placard tied to that inspection score, and a restaurant may never display any placard except its own..

Also covered: Syringe Disposal (moderate), Food Handler Certification (limited), Rodent Control (moderate). See the full public health rules guide for San Antonio for details.

Special Events & Permits

Sidewalk Dining & Cafés: Restaurants in San Antonio's downtown business district need an annual sidewalk cafe permit from the Downtown Operations Department before placing tables and chairs on the public right-of-way. Fees run $250 to $750 by footprint, and the permit excludes Market Square and the Riverwalk..

Also covered: Parade Permits (moderate), Outdoor Heater Rules (moderate), Street Fair Rules (moderate). See the full special events & permits guide for San Antonio for details.

Homelessness & Encampment Rules

Encampment Sanitation: San Antonio makes it unlawful to camp in any public place outside city-designated areas under City Code Sec. 21-28, a Class C misdemeanor punishable by up to $500.

Also covered: Sit-Lie Rules (moderate). See the full homelessness & encampment rules guide for San Antonio for details.

Landscaping Rules

Tree Removal & Heritage Trees: San Antonio requires a tree permit before removing a significant or heritage tree, clearing land, grading, or expanding a building or parking lot past 2,500 square feet. Sec.

Also covered: Tree Trimming (moderate), Weed Ordinances (moderate), Rainwater Harvesting (permissive). See the full landscaping rules guide for San Antonio for details.

Noise Ordinances

Construction Hours: San Antonio amended its construction noise ordinance in February 2022 (the 'Goodnight Construction Site' ordinance). Exterior construction is limited to 6 AM–10 PM Sun–Thu and 6 AM–11 PM Fri–Sat, with an 80 dBA construction noise limit.

Also covered: Vehicle Noise (moderate), Leaf Blower Rules (permissive), Amplified Music & Outdoor Sound (moderate). See the full noise ordinances guide for San Antonio for details.

Sidewalk & Pedestrian Rules

Obstruction Rules: San Antonio makes it unlawful to place or maintain 'appurtenances' (planters, trash receptacles, fences, vending machines, public artwork, bike racks and similar street furniture) on sidewalks or right-of-way abutting streets rebuilt under the Tri-Party Downtown Transportation Improvements Project. Sec.

Also covered: Encroachment Permits (moderate), Sidewalk Repair (moderate). See the full sidewalk & pedestrian rules guide for San Antonio for details.

Curfew Laws

Park Curfew: Most San Antonio city parks close at 11:00 p.m. and reopen at 5:00 a.m., with Woodlawn Lake Park closing at midnight and natural-area creekway parks closing at sunset.

Also covered: Juvenile Curfew (permissive). See the full curfew laws guide for San Antonio for details.

Filming & Production

Location Permits: Shooting commercial film or movie production in a San Antonio city park, on the River Walk, or at Alamo Plaza requires a permit from the San Antonio Film Commission. Sec.

Short-Term Rentals

Occupancy Limits: San Antonio's STR ordinance (UDC § 35-374.01, updated by Ordinance 2024-06-13-0433) requires STR permit applications to specify maximum guest capacity, with sleeping areas and emergency evacuation routes detailed in submitted plans. The permit specifies the allowed number of guests based on habitable space, fire egress, and parking availability..

Also covered: Host Platform Liability (moderate), Primary-Residence-Only Rule (moderate), Repeat Violator Strikes (restrictive). See the full short-term rentals guide for San Antonio for details.

Home Business

Signage Rules: San Antonio exempts a home-based business from the sign permit process for exactly one on-premise sign, but the exemption is narrow: the sign cannot exceed one square foot of facing and it cannot be illuminated. Anything larger, lit, or a second sign requires a full sign permit under Chapter 28, filed with Development Services and issued only through a city-licensed sign contractor..

Also covered: Zoning & Home Occupation Permits (moderate), Customer Traffic Restrictions (moderate), Home Daycare (limited). See the full home business guide for San Antonio for details.

Invasive Plant Rules

Tree-of-Heaven Removal: San Antonio's Unified Development Code excludes Tree of Heaven (Ailanthus altissima) from tree preservation protection. Owners and developers may remove it without a tree permit, mitigation payment, or arborist variance, and it never counts toward the city's minimum final tree canopy requirements, unlike native significant and heritage species that trigger permitting and civil penalties up to $2,000..

Also covered: Prohibited Species (permissive). See the full invasive plant rules guide for San Antonio for details.

Environmental Rules

Stormwater Management: San Antonio bans dumping acids, oils, paint, automotive fluids, pesticides and other pollutants into the city's Municipal Separate Storm Sewer System (MS4) under Code of Ordinances Sec. 34-702.

Also covered: Flood Elevation Requirements (moderate), Cool Roof Requirements (moderate), Vehicle Idling Restrictions (limited). See the full environmental rules guide for San Antonio for details.

Historic Preservation

Historic-Cultural Monuments: San Antonio can designate a building, site, structure or district a historic and cultural landmark under UDC Sec. 35-607 once it meets at least three of ten listed criteria, from cultural heritage value to unique architectural design.

Also covered: HPOZ Rules (restrictive). See the full historic preservation guide for San Antonio for details.

Business Licensing & Operations

Auto Repair on Residential Property: San Antonio outlaws vehicle painting, service, or repair as a home occupation anywhere in the city's residential zoning districts, under UDC Sec. 35-378(b)(1).

Also covered: Tattoo & Body Modification (restrictive), Towing Companies (moderate), Adult Entertainment (moderate). See the full business licensing & operations guide for San Antonio for details.

Zoning Overlays & Bonuses

Downtown Design Guide: Any infill or redevelopment project on property zoned 'D' Downtown must follow the Downtown Design Guide in UDC Appendix G, per Sec. 35-310.11(b) and Sec.

Also covered: Density Bonus Law (moderate), Specific Plans Overview (moderate). See the full zoning overlays & bonuses guide for San Antonio for details.

Right to Farm

Agricultural Zoning Protection: San Antonio's Unified Development Code sets aside an FR Farm and Ranch zoning district to preserve rural, agricultural land with a 25-acre minimum lot size and by prohibiting incompatible land uses. The district allows farming, ranching, and limited accessory dwellings while barring multi-family development outright..

Also covered: Farm Nuisance Protection (permissive). See the full right to farm guide for San Antonio for details.

Tree Protection

Heritage & Protected Trees: San Antonio classifies a tree as a heritage tree once it reaches 24 inches in trunk diameter, or just 12 inches for six ornamental natives like Texas persimmon and Texas mountain laurel. Table 523-1A then requires developers to preserve 100 percent of heritage trees on a platted lot or project site, the strictest standard in the tree preservation ordinance..

Also covered: Parkway Planting (moderate), Protected Tree Species (moderate). See the full tree protection guide for San Antonio for details.

Outdoor Lighting

Light Trespass & Shielding: San Antonio's Unified Development Code requires outdoor lighting for signs, parking, and other uses to be arranged so the light source is concealed from adjacent residential properties. Fixtures on residential property that produce any measurable foot-candles at the property line must be full cutoff, blocking light output above 90 degrees.

Also covered: Billboard Lighting (moderate), Dark Sky Rules (moderate). See the full outdoor lighting guide for San Antonio for details.

HOA Rules

Board Governance: San Antonio's Unified Development Code requires any homeowners' association formed to maintain a subdivision's common facilities, like parks or open space, to adopt articles of incorporation and bylaws that substantially match the city's model text in UDC Section 35-B130, covering board elections, annual meetings, assessments, and member inspection rights before development services will certify the plat..

Also covered: HOA Fines & Enforcement (limited), Board Procedures (limited), Architectural Review (limited). See the full hoa rules guide for San Antonio for details.

Accessory Structures

ADU Rental Restrictions: San Antonio bars pure rental income from accessory dwelling units: the property owner must live in either the main house or the ADU as a permanent residence and can never collect rent on the unit they occupy. A notarized affidavit and a covenant recorded with the county lock this rule to the deed, and any ADU rented short-term must separately clear UDC Section 35-374.01..

Also covered: ADU Rules (moderate), ADU Owner Occupancy (restrictive). See the full accessory structures guide for San Antonio for details.

Employment Preemption

Minimum Wage Preemption: Texas Labor Code Chapter 62 reserves minimum-wage authority to the state and ties Texas to the federal $7.25 floor. San Antonio cannot enact a higher private-employer minimum, so federal FLSA rules govern most private workers in the city..

Tobacco & Vaping

Tobacco Age Restrictions: Selling, giving, or furnishing tobacco, e-cigarettes, or any nicotine product to anyone under 21 is illegal in San Antonio under Texas Health & Safety Code section 161.082, which aligns with the federal Tobacco 21 law enacted in December 2019..

Also covered: Flavored Tobacco Bans (permissive). See the full tobacco & vaping guide for San Antonio for details.

Outdoor Cooking

BBQ & Propane Rules: San Antonio's Fire Code bars barbecue pits, grills, and fuel-fired heaters in apartment and condo buildings whenever they create a fire hazard, and it specifically prohibits use within 10 feet of any combustible surface, including a deck, porch, or balcony, or underneath a balcony, roof overhang, or veranda..

Also covered: Smoker Rules (moderate). See the full outdoor cooking guide for San Antonio for details.

Food Trucks & Mobile Vendors

Vending Zones: San Antonio bars mobile food vending within 300 feet of a school around school hours, bans it in the downtown business district without a special permit, and caps residential-area operating hours. Sec.

Also covered: Sidewalk & Mobile Vending (moderate). See the full food trucks & mobile vendors guide for San Antonio for details.

Swimming Pools & Spas

Pool Permits: Building a residential swimming pool or spa in San Antonio requires a permit from Development Services. Apply through the BuildSA Customer Portal with a scaled site plan, and keep the pool waterline at least 5 feet from any property line..

Also covered: Fencing & Safety Requirements (moderate). See the full swimming pools & spas guide for San Antonio for details.

Hurricane Preparedness

Storm Debris: After severe weather, San Antonio has no guaranteed storm-debris pickup. City Code section 14-25(e) gives the Solid Waste Management director authority to decide the response; absent extraordinary action, storm debris moves through the normal brush and bulky cycles or at the resident's expense..

Data Centers & Crypto Mining

Data Center Zoning & Siting: San Antonio's UDC has no dedicated data-center use. Data centers fall under "Office Data Processing & Management" in the Nonresidential Use Matrix, permitted by right in office, C-2/C-3 commercial, downtown, and light and general industrial districts, but not in residential or neighborhood-commercial zones..

Also covered: Crypto Mining Rules (permissive). See the full data centers & crypto mining guide for San Antonio for details.

Building Setbacks & Zoning

Setback Rules: San Antonio sets minimum front, side and rear yard setbacks per zoning district in the Unified Development Code's dimensional matrix, Table 310-1. A single-family lot zoned R-20 needs a 10-foot front setback, 5-foot side setback and 30-foot rear setback; R-6 drops the rear setback to 20 feet, and R-1 to just 5 feet..

Also covered: Structure Height Limits (moderate), Lot Coverage Limits (moderate). See the full building setbacks & zoning guide for San Antonio for details.

Fence Regulations

Retaining Walls: San Antonio requires a new or repaired retaining wall to be designed by a registered professional engineer, with plans approved by the director of public works before a building permit issues. Walls must resist the maximum lateral pressure of retained material, and unsafe walls can be declared a public nuisance..

Also covered: Height Limits (moderate), Fence Permit Requirements (moderate), Material Restrictions (limited). See the full fence regulations guide for San Antonio for details.

Cannabis Regulations

Dispensary Zoning: Texas has no recreational cannabis program, so San Antonio's Unified Development Code provides no commercial cannabis zoning. Only state-licensed Compassionate Use dispensing organizations and licensed hemp and CBD retailers operate, subject to standard retail zoning and state oversight..

Also covered: Personal Cultivation Limits (permissive), Home Cultivation (permissive). See the full cannabis regulations guide for San Antonio for details.

Soliciting & Door-to-Door

Solicitor Permits: San Antonio Code Chapter 22 requires solicitors, peddlers, and itinerant vendors to obtain a permit from the city through SAPD. Applicants undergo fingerprinting and a background check.

Also covered: No-Knock Registry (permissive). See the full soliciting & door-to-door guide for San Antonio for details.

Property Maintenance

Vacant Lot Maintenance: Texas Health and Safety Code Sec. 342.004 lets San Antonio require every property owner to keep real property free of weeds, brush and nuisance conditions, and Sec.

Also covered: Property Blight (moderate). See the full property maintenance guide for San Antonio for details.

Solar Energy

Panel Permits: Solar panel installation in San Antonio requires a building permit from the Development Services Department and pre-approval from CPS Energy for grid-tied systems. UDC § 35-398 governs renewable energy systems, setting zoning rules for ground-mounted solar farms and height limits of 12 feet for panel arrays.

Also covered: HOA Restrictions (permissive). See the full solar energy guide for San Antonio for details.

Garage & Yard Sales

Frequency, Duration & Permits: San Antonio limits residential properties to 4 garage sales per year, one per quarter, under Chapter 16, Article XII. Each sale may last no more than 2 consecutive days.

Privacy & Surveillance

Recording & Consent Laws: Texas is a one-party consent state. You may legally record a conversation if you are a party to it or have consent from one participant.

What to Do With This Information

This overview covers the big picture, but the details matter. Each ordinance page for San Antonio includes the full text, violation penalties, and frequently asked questions. Use those pages when you need specifics.