San Antonio, TX Rental Inspections: Tenant Complaint Process (2026)

Code of Ordinances Sec. 6-161, part of the Building Standards Board article, lets the director of code compliance or development services inspect or cause to be inspected public buildings, schools, halls, churches, theaters, hotels, tenements, commercial buildings and other structures to determine whether conditions make the place a dangerous building under Article VIII. Beyond routine inspection, the director must consider inspecting whenever complaints are filed by any person alleging the premises may be in violation, whenever the health, fire or police departments allege a violation, with good faith enough to support the inspection, or whenever the director independently has reason to believe a violation exists.

A complaint-driven finding of a dangerous building follows the Sec. 6-192 standard, covering conditions like structural instability, deterioration, insufficient support for the load placed on the structure, or any other condition unsafe to life, safety or property. If the director develops probable cause, Sec. 6-162 requires a diligent search for the owner and lienholders and a formal pre-hearing notice before the Building Standards Board (BSB) holds a public hearing, with notice by personal delivery, mail, or publication and posting if the owner cannot be found.

A tenant's complaint therefore does not itself order repairs; it opens the inspection that can lead to a BSB case, an order to repair or vacate under Sec. 6-159, or emergency action if the building endangers occupants immediately.