San Antonio's Unified Development Code (UDC), codified at SAMC Chapter 35, governs zoning, subdivision, and land use citywide. The SA Tomorrow Comprehensive Plan and dozens of community and neighborhood sub-area plans guide rezoning decisions.
San Antonio's UDC consolidates zoning, subdivision, and development standards in SAMC Chapter 35, originally adopted 2001 and continually amended. The SA Tomorrow Comprehensive Plan, adopted 2016, sets citywide growth strategy through 13 regional centers and corridors. Sub-area plans cover Downtown, Brooks, Midtown, Brackenridge, and dozens of neighborhood plans across all ten City Council districts. The UDC identifies base zoning districts (R-4, R-6, MF-33, C-1, etc.), overlay districts including Historic, Airport Hazard, and Military Lighting, and form-based districts in Downtown and along major corridors. Planning Commission and the Zoning Commission review rezoning, plats, and conditional uses before City Council action.
Zoning violations under UDC and SAMC trigger stop-work orders, daily fines up to 2,000 dollars under SAMC Chapter 6, and certificate of occupancy denial. Unpermitted use changes create disclosure obligations on resale and may void title insurance coverage.
San Antonio, TX
San Antonio's Unified Development Code offers density-bonus tools letting developers exceed base zoning intensity in exchange for affordable units, expedited...
San Antonio, TX
San Antonio's setback requirements are established in UDC § 35-516. Standard residential setbacks include: front setback of 10–35 feet (with 20 ft minimum fr...
See how San Antonio's specific plans overview rules stack up against other locations.
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