Bexar County, TX Ordinances (2026)
Local rules and regulations for Bexar County, Texas. Population: 2,009,324.
Verified from official government sources
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🏡 Home & Property
🌿 Yard & Garden
🏠 Renting & Housing
🔊 Noise & Neighbors
🐾 Animals & Farming
🔥 Fire & Safety
🚗 Parking & Streets
💼 Business & Licensing
📋 Permits, Signs & Events
🌎 Environment & Utilities
🏠 Short-Term Rentals
Host Platform Liability
Few RestrictionsBexar County does not impose liability on Airbnb, Vrbo, or other booking platforms for unincorporated host violations. Texas HB 1620 (2025) restricts local rules that hold platforms…
Taxes & Fees
Some RestrictionsBexar County collects 1.75% HOT on STR stays under 30 days. Combined with 6% state and 9% San Antonio HOT, San Antonio STRs face 16.75% total lodging tax.
Occupancy Limits
Few RestrictionsSan Antonio caps STR occupancy at 2 adults per bedroom plus 2 additional guests, max 12 total. Unincorporated Bexar County has no cap but septic and deed restrictions may limit counts.
Short-Term Rental Parking Rules
Few RestrictionsUnincorporated Bexar County has no STR parking rules. San Antonio requires 1 off-street space per bedroom and prohibits blocking driveways or hydrants. Violations trigger fines and…
Short-Term Rental Permits
Few RestrictionsBexar County has no STR registration or permitting requirements. Texas counties cannot zone or regulate land use. Only state hotel occupancy tax collection applies. Properties in San…
Noise Rules
Few RestrictionsUnincorporated Bexar County uses TX Penal Code 42.01 for unreasonable noise. San Antonio STRs face 63 dB daytime, 56 dB nighttime limits with escalating fines for repeat violators.
🏪 Business Licensing & Operations
Tobacco Retail License
Light RestrictionsVape and e-cigarette retailers in Bexar County must hold a Texas Comptroller permit, follow Tobacco 21 age verification, and post required signage. Local zoning is limited but business…
Adult Entertainment
Some RestrictionsTexas Local Government Code Chapter 243 authorizes Bexar County to regulate sexually oriented businesses in unincorporated areas through location, hour, and licensing rules. The county…
Pawnbrokers
Light RestrictionsTexas Finance Code Chapter 371 places pawnshop licensing under the Office of Consumer Credit Commissioner. Bexar County pawnbrokers must report transactions to the Sheriff, hold…
Massage Establishments
Light RestrictionsMassage establishments and therapists in Bexar County must hold a license from the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation under Occupations Code Chapter 455. The county and…
Secondhand Dealers
Light RestrictionsTexas Occupations Code Chapter 1956 requires metal recycling entities and certain secondhand dealers in Bexar County to register with the Department of Public Safety, verify seller…
🔥 Fire Regulations
Fire Pits & Backyard Fires
Light RestrictionsBackyard fires in unincorporated Bexar County must comply with TCEQ 30 TAC 111.219 and any active burn ban. San Antonio allows recreational fires in approved appliances with 15-foot…
Wildfire Zones
Few RestrictionsThe Texas A&M Forest Service maps parts of western and northern Bexar County, including Helotes, Leon Springs, and Camp Bullis edges, as wildland-urban interface with elevated wildfire…
Fireworks
Some RestrictionsBexar County Commissioners Court has restricted certain fireworks in unincorporated areas under Texas Local Government Code §352.051 and Texas Occupations Code Chapter 2154. The…
🧱 Fence Regulations
Material Restrictions
Few RestrictionsBexar County does not restrict fencing materials countywide. San Antonio prohibits barbed wire and razor wire on residential lots, and most area HOAs dictate acceptable materials such…
Neighbor Fence Rules
Few RestrictionsTexas treats boundary fences as private matters between neighbors. Bexar County does not mediate disputes, and shared costs require written agreement. HOA covenants and surveys usually…
Height Limits
Few RestrictionsBexar County does not regulate fence heights in unincorporated areas. The county confirms there are no zoning regulations outside city limits. Texas counties lack general police power…
🌿 Landscaping Rules
Artificial Turf
Few RestrictionsArtificial turf is legal across Bexar County. HOAs can regulate appearance under Texas Property Code 202.007 but cannot broadly prohibit drought-tolerant alternatives.
Native Plants
Few RestrictionsTexas Property Code 202.007 protects drought-resistant and xeriscape landscaping from outright HOA prohibition. SAWS promotes native plants like Texas sage, Gulf muhly, and live oak…
Weed Ordinances
Few RestrictionsSan Antonio enforces a 12-inch weed and rank-growth standard on improved lots with abatement and liens. Unincorporated Bexar County has no general weed ordinance, leaving enforcement…
🔊 Noise Ordinances
Leaf Blower Rules
Few RestrictionsUnincorporated Bexar County has no leaf blower ordinance; use is limited only by TX Penal Code 42.01 disorderly conduct. San Antonio and other cities impose their own hour rules.
Decibel Limits
Few RestrictionsUnincorporated Bexar County sets no dBA limits since Texas counties lack zoning power. San Antonio Chapter 21 uses ~63 dBA daytime and ~56 dBA nighttime at residential property lines.
Barking Dogs
Few RestrictionsBexar County has no barking dog ordinance. Texas counties cannot enact animal noise regulations. Only state disorderly conduct law applies. Bexar County Sheriff handles complaints in…
Quiet Hours
Few RestrictionsBexar County has NO noise ordinance. Texas counties lack the police power to enact one. Unincorporated noise complaints fall back to Texas Penal Code §42.01(a)(5) disorderly conduct…
🐔 Animal Ordinances
Breed Restrictions
Few RestrictionsTexas preempts breed-specific laws under TX Health and Safety Code 822.047, so Bexar County and San Antonio cannot ban any breed. Lillian's Law applies to any dangerous dog regardless…
Chickens & Livestock
Few RestrictionsUnincorporated Bexar County allows backyard chickens and small livestock with no numeric limit; HOA covenants often restrict. San Antonio allows up to 8 hens, no roosters, with a…
Beekeeping
Few RestrictionsBeekeeping is protected under TX Agriculture Code Chapter 131 with Texas Apiary Inspection Service oversight. Unincorporated Bexar County has no local rule; San Antonio allows backyard…
Exotic Pets
Light RestrictionsBexar County restricts dangerous wild animals through Texas Health and Safety Code Chapter 822, Subchapter E, requiring registration and certificate of registration with Bexar County…
Pet Limits
Light RestrictionsBexar County prosecutes animal hoarding under Texas Penal Code 42.092 (animal cruelty) and Texas Health and Safety Code 821 (seizure of cruelly treated animals), with Bexar County…
Mandatory Spay/Neuter
Light RestrictionsBexar County does not impose mandatory spay-neuter on all pets, but Texas Health and Safety Code 828 requires sterilization of animals adopted from public shelters including Bexar…
Wildlife Rescue Permits
Light RestrictionsWildlife rehabilitation in Bexar County requires a Texas Parks and Wildlife Department rehabilitator permit under 31 TAC 69.45 plus federal U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service…
Dog Leash Laws
Light RestrictionsUnincorporated Bexar County enforces a county leash order and TX Health and Safety Code 822 through Animal Control Services. San Antonio Chapter 5 requires leashes (8 feet max) in…
Cat Rules
Few RestrictionsBexar County requires cats over four months old to be vaccinated against rabies under Texas Health and Safety Code 826.021, but the unincorporated county has no leash law for cats…
🚷 Public Conduct
Loud Party Ordinance
Light RestrictionsBexar County deputies enforce loud-party and nuisance gathering complaints under disorderly conduct, noise, and unruly gathering rules. Hosts of repeat loud parties in unincorporated…
Public Alcohol Use
Light RestrictionsTexas Penal Code Section 49.02 makes public intoxication a Class C misdemeanor. Texas Alcoholic Beverage Code rules and local TABC permits govern open container enforcement on Bexar…
Public Marijuana Use
Light RestrictionsMarijuana possession and use remain illegal statewide. Bexar County operates a cite-and-release program for low-level possession under TX Code Crim Proc Article 14.06, but public use…
🔧 Building Safety
Fire Sprinkler Requirements
Few RestrictionsBexar County does not require residential fire sprinklers in one and two family dwellings under Texas Local Government Code 233.153, which preempts counties from mandating sprinklers…
Childcare Center Rules
Light RestrictionsChildcare centers in unincorporated Bexar County must comply with Texas Health and Human Services Commission minimum standards under Texas Human Resources Code 42 and pass building…
Green Building Code
Few RestrictionsBexar County has not adopted the International Green Construction Code as a mandatory standard for unincorporated areas, instead enforcing the Texas-adopted International Energy…
🛍️ Single-Use Items
Plastic Straw Rules
Few RestrictionsBexar County does not require restaurants to switch from plastic straws or to provide them only on request. Texas container preemption discourages local straw mandates, leaving the…
Plastic Bag Rules
Few RestrictionsBexar County cannot ban plastic carryout bags. The Texas Supreme Court in City of Laredo v. Laredo Merchants Association struck down local bag bans as preempted by the Texas Health and…
Polystyrene Foam Rules
Few RestrictionsBexar County does not restrict expanded polystyrene foam containers. Texas container preemption under TX HSC Section 361.0961 likely blocks local foam bans, mirroring the outcome for…
🔑 Rental Property Rules
No-Fault Evictions
Few RestrictionsBexar County landlords can decline to renew leases for any non-discriminatory reason, with no requirement to show fault. Texas does not impose just-cause eviction limits, and the…
Security Deposit Rules
Light RestrictionsBexar County rental security deposits are governed by Texas Property Code 92.101 through 92.109. Landlords must refund deposits within 30 days of move-out and provide an itemized list…
Just Cause Eviction
Few RestrictionsTexas does not require just-cause for eviction. Landlords in Bexar County can end a month-to-month tenancy with 30 days notice for any lawful reason. Non-payment and lease violations…
Rental Registration
Few RestrictionsBexar County does not require landlords to register rental properties. Individual cities within the county (such as San Antonio) may have their own inspection or registration programs…
Source-of-Income Discrimination
Few RestrictionsBexar County does not prohibit landlords from refusing Section 8 housing choice vouchers or other income sources. Texas Local Government Code 250.007 preempts cities and counties from…
📢 Noise from Specific Sources
Generator Noise
Few RestrictionsGenerators in unincorporated Bexar County are regulated only by TX Penal Code 42.01 and electrical permit rules. Emergency-outage use is broadly reasonable; San Antonio Chapter 21 dBA…
HVAC & Mechanical Noise
Few RestrictionsUnincorporated Bexar County does not regulate HVAC noise; complaints rely on TX Penal Code 42.01. San Antonio Chapter 21 applies residential dBA limits at the property line to fixed…
🛏️ Homelessness & Encampment Rules
🏊 Swimming Pools & Spas
Fencing & Safety Requirements
Few RestrictionsBexar County does NOT regulate fencing for single-family residential pools in unincorporated areas. Texas Local Government Code Chapter 233 limits county building permit authority to…
Pool Permits
Light RestrictionsUnincorporated Bexar County requires pool permits under TX Local Gov Code 233.033. San Antonio charges fees from 180 dollars and requires a 48-inch barrier, VGB drain covers, and a…
🌱 Cannabis Regulations
Dispensary Zoning
Few RestrictionsTexas allows only state-licensed Compassionate Use low-THC providers, not recreational dispensaries. Bexar County cannot zone for or against retail marijuana stores because none are…
Home Cultivation
Light RestrictionsHome cultivation of marijuana is illegal anywhere in Texas, including Bexar County, regardless of quantity. Compassionate Use patients receive prescribed low-THC products from licensed…
🚗 Parking Rules
Abandoned Vehicles
Light RestrictionsBexar County enforces Texas Transportation Code Chapter 683 on abandoned vehicles. A vehicle left on public property 48+ hours or on private property without consent may be tagged…
Overnight Parking
Few RestrictionsBexar County does not impose general overnight parking bans on residential streets in unincorporated areas. Vehicles may park on streets overnight unless posted signs prohibit it or…
🏘️ HOA Rules
Assessment & Dues
Light RestrictionsBexar County HOA assessments are governed by Texas Property Code Chapter 209. Associations must offer payment plans, apply statutory payment priority, and follow strict Rule 736…
Architectural Review
Light RestrictionsBexar County HOA architectural review committees control exterior changes, paint, fences, and accessory structures. Chapter 209 sets procedural rights but CCRs give broad substantive…
CC&R Enforcement
Light RestrictionsBexar County CCR enforcement follows the recorded Declaration plus Property Code Chapters 202 and 209. HOAs must enforce consistently and respect statutory limits on flags, solar…
Board Procedures
Light RestrictionsBexar County HOA boards operate under Texas Property Code Chapter 209 for subdivisions and Chapter 82 for condos. State law requires open meetings, 72 hour notice, and recorded…
💧 Water Use Rules
Recycled Water Rules
Light RestrictionsSAWS operates one of the largest recycled water systems in Texas, serving the San Antonio River Walk base flow and major Bexar County industrial customers. Connections, signage, and…
Turf Replacement Rebates
Few RestrictionsSAWS WaterSaver Landscape Coupons offer rebates when Bexar County customers replace high-water turf with drought-tolerant beds. Participation is voluntary, but the Edwards Aquifer…
💼 Home Business
Signage Rules
Few RestrictionsBexar County has no countywide sign rules in unincorporated areas, but TxDOT controls signs near state highways and cities enforce their own limits. Deed restrictions often ban…
Home Daycare
Light RestrictionsTexas HHSC licenses all Bexar County home daycares with 4+ unrelated children. Registered homes allow up to 6; Licensed homes allow up to 12 with minimum staff and safety standards.
🗺️ Zoning Overlays & Bonuses
🛂 Immigration Policy
Sanctuary Policy Preemption
Heavy RestrictionsTexas Senate Bill 4 of 2017 prohibits any county or city from adopting sanctuary policies. Bexar County and the Bexar County Sheriff must honor federal immigration detainers and cannot…
E-Verify Mandates
Light RestrictionsUnder Texas Government Code Section 673, Bexar County agencies, public colleges, and state contractors with seven or more employees must enroll in the federal E-Verify system to…
🌍 Environmental Rules
Stormwater Management
Light RestrictionsBexar County stormwater is regulated under TCEQ MS4 permit TXR040000. Construction sites of 1 acre or more need an SWPPP and NOI. Edwards Aquifer Recharge Zone sites face extra TCEQ…
Erosion Control
Some RestrictionsBexar County erosion control follows TCEQ TPDES Construction Permit TXR150000, county drainage rules, and Edwards Aquifer BMP standards. Active sites need silt fence, inlet protection…
🛴 Mobility & Curb Rules
Shared E-Scooter Rules
Few RestrictionsShared dockless scooters operate primarily inside San Antonio city limits, not unincorporated Bexar County. The City of San Antonio regulates fleet caps and downtown rules; county…
Bike Lane Rules
Light RestrictionsBexar County follows Texas Transportation Code rules for bicycles on roadways. Cyclists ride with traffic, use lights at night, and may use the full lane when the lane is too narrow to…
🩺 Public Health Rules
Rodent Control
Few RestrictionsBexar County pest control is regulated by the Texas Department of Agriculture under Occupations Code Chapter 1951. Commercial applicators need TDA licenses and must give customers a…
Food Handler Certification
Light RestrictionsFood employees in Bexar County must complete an accredited Texas food handler course within 60 days of hire and keep certification current. Metro Health enforces the requirement during…
🚬 Tobacco & Vaping
Tobacco Age Restrictions
Light RestrictionsTexas Health and Safety Code Section 161.0815 prohibits sale of tobacco, e-cigarettes, and vapor products to anyone under 21 statewide, with a narrow exception for active military…
Flavored Tobacco Bans
Few RestrictionsBexar County does not ban flavored tobacco or flavored vape products. Texas has no statewide flavor ban, and Texas tobacco preemption discourages county-level prohibitions on menthol…
📷 Privacy & Surveillance
Security Camera Rules
Few RestrictionsResidential security cameras are legal in Bexar County without a permit. Texas allows video recording on your property and publicly visible areas. Cameras must not target private…
Recording & Consent Laws
Light RestrictionsTexas is a one-party consent state for audio recording. Only one party to a conversation must consent. Video recording in public is legal. Recording in private areas where individuals…
🎋 Invasive Plant Rules
Bamboo Restrictions
Few RestrictionsBexar County and San Antonio do not have specific ordinances restricting bamboo. Texas state law does not regulate bamboo planting. Encroaching bamboo may be addressed under general…
Front Yard Gardens
Few RestrictionsTexas HB 1686 (2023) protects front-yard vegetable gardens across Bexar County. Neither municipalities nor HOAs can ban food production on residential property. San Antonio also…
Cities in Bexar County
These cities are located within Bexar County and may have their own ordinances.
Communities in Bexar County
These communities are in unincorporated Bexar County. County ordinances apply directly to these areas.
Data Sources
Ordinance data for Bexar County is sourced from the following official government references. Click any topic above for detailed citations.
- [1]Texas HB 1620 (2025)
- [2]Texas Comptroller HOT
- [3]TX HSC Chapter 161
- [4]TCEQ 30 TAC Chapter 111 Subchapter B Outdoor Burning
- [5]San Antonio UDC Fencing Standards
…and 79 more official sources: each topic above lists its full citations.