Texas contractor licensing
Contractor Licensing in Unincorporated Bexar County, Texas
Unincorporated Bexar County does not publish a general contractor registration. No local license or registration is needed for foundation repair, general contracting, roofing, plumbing, electrical work, HVAC work, landscape irrigation, and demolition.
What each trade needs in Unincorporated Bexar County
| Foundation repair | Easy · 0 | Not required | |
|---|---|---|---|
| General contracting | Easy · 0 | Not required | |
| Roofing | Easy · 0 | Not required | |
| Plumbing | Hard or harder · 62+ | Not required | |
| Electrical | Hard or harder · 58+ | Not required | |
| HVAC | Hard or harder · 52+ | Not required | |
| Irrigation | Moderate or harder · 27+ | Not required | |
| Concrete flatwork | Easy · 6 | Bexar County Right-of-Way Permit | $35 |
| Drainage and detention | Easy · 1 | Floodplain Development Permit | $50 |
| Demolition | Not rated | Not required |
Tap a column to sort. Each trade opens its Texas comparison by city, and fees link to the official fee page, checked October 18, 2026. Plumbing, electrical, HVAC and irrigation also need a Texas state license, which no county registration replaces.
Demolition is not rated because its rules are not fully published.
How the difficulty score works
Details for each trade
Foundation repair
| Local rule | Not required |
|---|
In unincorporated Bexar County the Fire Marshal decides when a building permit is needed only for structures that are not a single-family dwelling (a single structure of 3 or fewer dwelling units). No county building permit or contractor registration for single-family work appears on the county pages; floodplain, right-of-way and stormwater permits still apply. Property inside a city's limits follows that city's rules. A foundation repair on a single-family home outside city limits therefore has no county building permit, but if the property is in or near the 100-year floodplain, Public Works must review construction activity through a Floodplain Development Permit ($50 per activity).
No county building permit is required for single-family foundation repair outside city limits; a $50 Floodplain Development Permit applies near the 100-year floodplain.
- Check whether it is in or near the 100-year floodplain; if so, apply for a Floodplain Development Permit online.
- Hire a Texas PE if you want an engineered repair; the county does not require it for single-family repairs.
Checked October 18, 2026 against Bexar County building permits; Bexar County floodplain development permits.
General contracting (residential remodels, additions and home improvement)
| Local rule | Not required |
|---|
In unincorporated Bexar County the Fire Marshal decides when a building permit is needed only for structures that are not a single-family dwelling (a single structure of 3 or fewer dwelling units). No county building permit or contractor registration for single-family work appears on the county pages; floodplain, right-of-way and stormwater permits still apply. Property inside a city's limits follows that city's rules.
Single-family remodels and additions outside city limits need no county building permit; non-single-family buildings need a Fire Marshal building permit with a Public Works Permit Verification Form.
- Check floodplain and right-of-way permit needs with Public Works.
- For non-single-family work, get the Permit Verification Form signed and apply to the Fire Marshal.
Checked October 18, 2026 against Bexar County building permits.
Roofing
| Local rule | Not required |
|---|
No county building permit is required for single-family re-roofs outside city limits.
Checked October 18, 2026 against Bexar County building permits.
Plumbing
| Local rule | Not required |
|---|
No county plumbing permit was found for single-family homes; state TSBPE licensing still applies and on-site sewage systems need permits.
Checked October 18, 2026 against Bexar County building permits.
Electrical
| Local rule | Not required |
|---|
No county electrical permit was found for single-family homes; state TDLR licensing still applies.
Checked October 18, 2026 against Bexar County building permits.
HVAC
| Local rule | Not required |
|---|
No county mechanical permit was found for single-family homes; state TDLR licensing still applies.
Checked October 18, 2026 against Bexar County building permits.
Irrigation
| Local rule | Not required |
|---|
No county irrigation permit was found; the TCEQ license applies and the water utility may have backflow rules.
Checked October 18, 2026 against Bexar County building permits.
Concrete flatwork (driveways, sidewalks and work in the public right-of-way)
| Local rule | Bexar County Right-of-Way Permit (Driveway/Flatwork). |
|---|---|
| Fee | $35 per driveway (driveway/flatwork form) |
| Insurance | Contractor liability insurance requirements apply to utility and other right-of-way work (county PDF). |
Public Works controls all construction in county-maintained rights-of-way, including driveways that access county roads. Applications are reviewed against county driveway specifications and typical details (with or without culvert pipe). After the permit is issued, call the county inspector to approve construction.
A driveway or flatwork in a county right-of-way needs a $35 Right-of-Way Permit and county inspection.
- Submit it with the $35 fee to Public Works Development Services.
- Build to county driveway specifications and call the county inspector.
Checked October 18, 2026 against Bexar County right-of-way permits.
Drainage and detention (grading, drainage, stormwater and detention ponds)
| Local rule | Floodplain Development Permit; Storm Water Quality Site Development Permit (1 acre or more). |
|---|---|
| Fee | $50 (Floodplain Development Permit, per activity) |
Construction near the 100-year floodplain needs Public Works review, and a flood study by a Professional Engineer may be required. Construction disturbing 1 acre or more (or part of a larger plan) needs a Storm Water Quality Site Development Permit with a SWPPP and erosion control plan stamped with the engineer or preparer's seal. Non-single-family building permits require Public Works to evaluate on-site drainage impacts.
Floodplain construction needs a $50 Floodplain Development Permit (a PE flood study may be required); sites of 1 acre or more need a Storm Water Quality Site Development Permit.
- Have a Texas PE prepare any flood study or drainage plan.
- Apply online through the County of Bexar permitting portal.
- For 1 acre or more, file the TCEQ NOI and the county SWQ permit with a sealed SWPPP.
Checked October 18, 2026 against Bexar County floodplain development permits; Bexar County SWQ site development permit; Bexar County building permits.
Demolition
| Local rule | Not required |
|---|
The county building permit (Fire Marshal) covers site clearing and construction for non-single-family structures; single-family demolition rules were not found.
Ask the Fire Marshal Office whether the demolition needs a permit.
Checked October 18, 2026 against Bexar County building permits.
Official sources and contacts
Bexar County Public Works, Development Services, 1948 Probandt St., San Antonio, 210-335-0300 (Fire Marshal, building permits).
- Public Works permits
- Building permits (Fire Marshal, non-single-family)
- Floodplain development permits
- Right-of-way permits
- Storm Water Quality Site Development Permit
- Texas Local Government Code Chapter 233
Rules and fees change, and this is not legal advice. Confirm with Bexar County Public Works before you apply or bid.