Unincorporated Bexar County requires no home occupation permit. San Antonio and most Bexar cities require registration or a certificate of occupancy. State licenses apply for regulated trades.
Permitting for home-based businesses in Bexar County varies sharply by jurisdiction. Unincorporated areas impose no county home occupation permit because Texas counties lack zoning authority in most circumstances. Inside the City of San Antonio, home occupations are classified as a permitted accessory use under UDC Section 35-391 and generally do not require a zoning permit if they meet standards: no external evidence of the business, no non-resident employees, no client visits that disrupt the neighborhood, no retail sales on premises, and no more than 25 percent of floor area devoted to the business. Businesses that exceed these limits require a Conditional Use Permit or must relocate to a commercial district. A San Antonio Business Occupancy License through the Development Services Department is required for any business operating in the city, along with a certificate of occupancy for non-residential uses. Suburban cities including Alamo Heights, Leon Valley, Windcrest, Helotes, and Shavano Park have comparable home occupation standards. Regulated occupations such as cosmetology, massage therapy, real estate, insurance, and child care require state-level licensure regardless of location. Federal and state tax registrations (EIN, Texas sales tax permit) apply to most businesses.
Contact your local code enforcement office for specific penalty information.
See how Bexar County's home occupation permits rules stack up against other locations.
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