San Antonio Site Plan Requirements & Permit Guide (2025)

By Site Plan Creator Team •

Everything you need to know about creating site plans for building permits in San Antonio, including Unified Development Code requirements and Development Services procedures.

San Antonio Site Plan Requirements: Complete Guide for Building Permits

Creating a site plan for a building permit in San Antonio, Texas requires meeting specific requirements set by the Development Services Department (DSD). San Antonio's Unified Development Code (UDC) consolidates zoning, subdivision, and site development regulations, with special considerations for Edwards Aquifer protection, tree preservation, and historic conservation.

What Is a Site Plan and Why Does San Antonio Require One?

A site plan is a scaled drawing showing your property boundaries, existing structures, proposed construction, setbacks, and site features. DSD requires a site plan for all building permit applications to verify compliance with the Unified Development Code (UDC), Chapter 35 of the San Antonio City Code. You can look up your property's zoning through the city's Interactive Map at sanantonio.gov/gpa.

Required Site Plan Elements for DSD

DSD requires the following elements on all site plans:

  • Property boundaries with accurate dimensions and total lot area
  • Setbacks from all property lines per UDC Table 35-310
  • Location of all existing structures with square footage, height, and use
  • Proposed construction clearly distinguished from existing structures
  • Impervious cover calculation showing total impervious surface as percentage of lot area
  • Parking spaces per UDC Section 35-526 (including ADA, bicycle, and EV-ready)
  • Driveways and access points with dimensions
  • Tree survey showing all heritage trees (24 inches+ diameter) and significant trees (10 inches+)
  • Landscaping plan for commercial and multi-family projects per UDC Division 3
  • Drainage and grading showing existing and proposed contours and flow directions
  • North arrow and scale
  • Bexar County Appraisal District account number

San Antonio Zoning and Setback Requirements

San Antonio's UDC organizes zoning districts with the following common residential setbacks per Table 35-310:

  • R-4 (Single-Family, 4,000 sq ft lot): Front 20 feet, side 0-5 feet (depends on fire rating), rear 5 feet. Lot coverage max 50%.
  • R-6 (Single-Family, 6,000 sq ft lot): Front 25 feet, side 5 feet minimum, rear 5 feet. Lot coverage max 45%.
  • R-20 (Estate Residential): Front 25 feet, side 10 feet, rear 25 feet. Lot coverage max 35%.
  • Corner lots: Street-side setback is 15 feet for most residential zones.
  • Garage setback from alley: Minimum 2 feet from the alley right-of-way line.

Always verify your specific zoning and any overlay districts through the San Antonio Interactive Map.

Edwards Aquifer Protection

Properties over the Edwards Aquifer Recharge Zone or Contributing Zone face some of the strictest environmental regulations in Texas:

  • Recharge Zone: Impervious cover limited to 15-30% depending on the aquifer sensitivity level
  • Contributing Zone: Impervious cover limited to 45-65% depending on density
  • TCEQ compliance: Texas Commission on Environmental Quality requires a Water Pollution Abatement Plan (WPAP) or Contributing Zone Plan for development over the aquifer
  • Water quality controls: Detention, filtration, and other BMPs required to protect aquifer water quality
  • SAWS (San Antonio Water System) coordination: Required for water and wastewater connections in aquifer areas

Your site plan must clearly show the aquifer zone designation, impervious cover calculation with compliance demonstration, and all water quality controls.

Tree Preservation Requirements

San Antonio's Tree Preservation Ordinance (UDC Section 35-523) protects:

  • Heritage trees: Trees 24 inches+ diameter at breast height (DBH). Cannot be removed without City Council approval and significant justification
  • Significant trees: Trees 10 inches+ DBH on commercial and multi-family sites. Mitigation required for removal
  • Required tree survey: All development sites must include a tree survey showing species, size, health condition, and canopy spread for all regulated trees
  • Mitigation: Removed significant trees require replacement at a caliper-inch-for-caliper-inch ratio or payment into the Tree Mitigation Fund
  • Heritage tree removal: Requires application to the Tree Appeals Board, public hearing, and potentially City Council approval

Impervious Cover Limits

San Antonio's UDC sets maximum impervious cover based on zoning district and aquifer zone:

  • Non-aquifer areas: 45-65% for residential zones; 75-95% for commercial zones
  • Edwards Aquifer Recharge Zone: 15-30% regardless of zoning
  • Edwards Aquifer Contributing Zone: 45-65% with additional water quality requirements
  • Your site plan must include a detailed impervious cover calculation showing all buildings, driveways, walkways, patios, and other impervious surfaces as a percentage of total lot area

Historic District Requirements

San Antonio has extensive historic preservation protections, including:

  • Historic and Design Review Commission (HDRC) review required for properties in designated historic districts
  • Certificate of Appropriateness required for exterior changes, new construction, and demolition in historic districts
  • River Walk/River Improvement Overlay (RIO) district has additional design standards for properties near the San Antonio River
  • Conservation districts: Protect neighborhood character without full historic district requirements

How to Submit Your Site Plan

Amanda Online Portal

Submit through the Amanda portal at sanantonio.gov/DSD for electronic plan review. Upload plans in PDF format, pay fees, and track your application status online.

In-Person Submission

Walk-in service is available at the Development Services Center at 1901 S. Alamo Street, San Antonio, TX 78204. Walk-in and same-day review available for qualifying residential projects.

Permit Fees and Timeline

  • Plan review fees: Based on project valuation per the DSD fee schedule
  • Building permit fees: Calculated from construction valuation and square footage
  • Impact fees: Water, wastewater, and roadway impact fees for new connections and new development
  • SAWS fees: Water and sewer connection fees assessed by SAWS
  • Timeline: Residential plan review 10-15 business days. Commercial 20-30 business days. Expedited review available for qualifying projects. HDRC review adds 30-60 days for historic district properties.

Creating Your San Antonio Site Plan with Site Plan Creator

Site Plan Creator makes it easy to generate a professional, permit-ready site plan for your San Antonio property. Simply enter your address, and the tool automatically loads your property boundaries, building footprints, and aerial imagery. You can then add setback lines, label structures, draw proposed construction, and export a scaled PDF ready for DSD submission.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the typical residential setbacks in San Antonio?
In R-6 zones, front setbacks are 25 feet, side setbacks 5 feet minimum, and rear setbacks 5 feet per UDC Table 35-310. Lot coverage is limited to 45%. Corner lots require 15-foot street-side setbacks. Garage setbacks from alleys are 2 feet minimum. R-4 zones have 20-foot front setbacks. Always verify through the San Antonio Interactive Map.
How do Edwards Aquifer regulations affect my site plan?
Properties over the Edwards Aquifer Recharge Zone are limited to 15-30% impervious cover regardless of zoning. Contributing Zone properties are limited to 45-65%. TCEQ requires a Water Pollution Abatement Plan (WPAP) for Recharge Zone development. Your site plan must show the aquifer zone, impervious cover calculation, and water quality controls. Contact DSD to determine your aquifer zone status.
What tree preservation is required?
Heritage trees (24 inches+ DBH) cannot be removed without City Council approval. Significant trees (10 inches+ DBH) on commercial/multi-family sites require mitigation for removal at a caliper-inch-for-caliper-inch ratio. All development sites must include a tree survey. Heritage tree removal requires Tree Appeals Board and potentially City Council approval.
How do I submit plans to San Antonio DSD?
Submit through the Amanda online portal at sanantonio.gov/DSD for electronic plan review. Upload plans in PDF format and track your application online. Walk-in service is at the Development Services Center at 1901 S. Alamo Street. Same-day review may be available for qualifying residential projects.
What historic district requirements apply?
Properties in designated historic districts require a Certificate of Appropriateness from the Historic and Design Review Commission (HDRC) for exterior changes, new construction, and demolition. The River Walk/RIO district has additional design standards. Conservation districts protect neighborhood character. HDRC review adds 30-60 days to the permit timeline.
What is the impervious cover limit for my property?
Non-aquifer residential zones typically allow 45-65% impervious cover. Edwards Aquifer Recharge Zone properties are limited to 15-30%. Your site plan must include a detailed impervious cover calculation showing all buildings, driveways, walkways, patios, and other impervious surfaces as a percentage of total lot area.
What stormwater and drainage requirements apply?
San Antonio requires drainage plans for all development showing compliance with the Storm Water Design Criteria Manual. Projects over the Edwards Aquifer require additional water quality controls. Detention may be required for projects increasing runoff. Low Impact Development measures are encouraged. SAWS coordination is required for water/sewer connections.
How long does plan review take at DSD?
Residential plan review takes 10-15 business days. Commercial projects take 20-30 business days. Expedited review is available for qualifying projects at additional cost. HDRC review for historic district properties adds 30-60 days. Edwards Aquifer WPAP review adds additional processing time. Track your application through the Amanda portal.

How to Create a Site Plan in San Antonio

  1. Look Up Your Property Information: Use the San Antonio Interactive Map at sanantonio.gov/gpa to find your zoning district, Edwards Aquifer zone status, historic district designation, and impervious cover limits. Note your Bexar County Appraisal District account number.
  2. Determine Environmental and Historic Constraints: Identify if your property is over the Edwards Aquifer, in a historic district, or has other overlay requirements. These constraints significantly affect site plan requirements and permitting timeline.
  3. Create Your Site Plan: Enter your San Antonio address in Site Plan Creator to automatically load property boundaries, building footprints, and aerial imagery. Add setback lines per UDC Table 35-310, label structures, and draw proposed construction.
  4. Include All Required Elements: Ensure your site plan includes property boundaries, setbacks, impervious cover calculation, tree survey with species and DBH, parking per Section 35-526, drainage, and any aquifer zone compliance documentation.
  5. Prepare Environmental and Tree Reports: Order tree surveys for properties with heritage or significant trees. For Edwards Aquifer properties, prepare WPAP or Contributing Zone Plan per TCEQ requirements. Prepare stormwater management plans.
  6. Submit Through Amanda Portal: Upload plans through the Amanda portal at sanantonio.gov/DSD. If in a historic district, submit to HDRC for Certificate of Appropriateness first. Pay plan review fees and monitor status.
  7. Manage Review and Obtain Permit: Respond to DSD reviewer comments through the Amanda system. Once approved, pay remaining fees including impact fees and SAWS connection fees, obtain your building permit, and schedule inspections.