Do I need a plumbing permit in San Antonio? The homestead affidavit, fees and 29,644 permits

What needs a plumbing permit

The Development Services Department's Home Remodeling FAQs say: "If you're installing faucets, sinks, toilets, water heater and softeners, or sewer lines, you'll need to get a permit" (read 24 October 2026). Gas piping, sewer and backflow devices have their own plumbing permit types. Cabinets, countertops and flooring around the plumbing need nothing, per the City's No Permit Required list.

Who can pull it

The affidavit also has you state that the house "is not a place of business or rental property, but my home wherein I reside" and that you are registered with Bexar County as the owner; it cites Section 1301.051 of the Texas plumbing license law.

The City's Residential Permits page sets the rule: "Homeowners must use licensed trade contractors for new electrical, plumbing, and HVAC components", with one exception, a plumbing permit "only for an existing homestead where they will personally do the work". Plumbing is the only trade with that homeowner route in San Antonio; electrical and HVAC have none. Texas plumbers are licensed by the State Board of Plumbing Examiners; see how to check a contractor's license in Texas.

What it costs

From the FY 2027 Development Fee Schedule (revised October 2026), existing homes:

So a water-heater swap starts at $57.50 + $9.20 = $66.70 before the 4% technology and 4% Development Services surcharges. On a new home, plumbing, gas and sewer are billed by floor area on the building permit ($179.40 for 2,251–2,500 sq ft, plus $73.60 each for sewer and gas).

How to get one

1. A licensed plumber files the Plumbing Application; a homesteading owner files it with the affidavit. Applications go through BuildSA or the One Stop at 1901 S. Alamo St.
2. Pay, then schedule inspections. The application says inspections can be scheduled free through BuildSA or by calling 210-207-1111, and that the plumbing general, gas and sewer permit types each carry a $57.50 inspection fee.
3. A homeowner's work "is to be inspected by a city plumbing inspector", and the affidavit says you make the installation "personally without the assistance of any person or persons".
4. On a remodel or new home, the City's IB 101 bulletin says all trade permits must be closed before the building final.

What 29,644 San Antonio plumbing permits show

Plumbing permits are the steadiest kind of work in the City's file; the busiest month is only 16% above average, so timing your job by season gains little. The monthly counts are on San Antonio plumbing permits, every kind of work on San Antonio permit statistics, and the rows on browse San Antonio permits.

Before the plumber starts

Ask for the permit number and check it in BuildSA (San Antonio building permit search). Rules elsewhere: do I need a permit for plumbing repairs and do I need a permit for a water heater. Filed labor costs in other cities are in plumbing labor cost.

What this does not tell you

The City files lawn sprinkler permits as plumbing; we count them as other, so they are not in the 29,644. The file names a primary contact rather than the plumber and has no status or final date, so we cannot rank plumbers or say how many permits passed inspection.