San Antonio, TX Building Safety: Electrical Permits (2026)

Sec. 10-51 of the San Antonio Code of Ordinances adopts the 2023 edition of the National Electrical Code (NEC), published by the National Fire Protection Association, "as if fully set forth," with local amendments layered on top in Sec. 10-52. Those amendments are shown against the NEC text as underlined additions and bracketed deletions, and they reach into core definitions: Article 100's definition of "Dwelling Unit" is rewritten to add "free-standing habitable structures at dwellings" to the standard living-facilities definition, and Article 200.6's rules for identifying grounded conductors are rewritten size-by-size, specifying continuous white finish for systems under 150 volts and continuous gray for 150 volts or higher, on both 10 AWG-or-smaller and 8 AWG-or-larger conductors.

Electrical installations, alterations, repairs, and replacements fall under the chapter 10 permit system administered by the Development Services Department building official; the electrical code chapter notes that permits are required for work regulated by the chapter unless a listed exemption applies, such as minor repairs performed by a licensed electrical contractor or low-voltage communications wiring under 50 volts.

Under Sec. 10-113, the city no longer licenses electricians directly since the state assumed licensing through House Bill 1487; state-licensed electrical contractors and electrical sign contractors must still register with the city under Sec. 10-113(b) before performing electrical work, and license numbers must be displayed on vehicles with letters "EM" or "TECL" for local or state licenses, in lettering at least two inches tall.