Texas contractor licensing
How to Get a Contractor License in Schertz, Texas
Schertz requires a contractor registration from the city for foundation repair, general contracting, roofing, concrete flatwork, and demolition. It is free. You also need proof of liability insurance.
City contractor registration in Schertz
| Registration | Contractor registration (General Contractor) |
|---|---|
| Covers | Foundation repair, general contracting, roofing, concrete flatwork, and demolition |
| Fee | Free |
| Insurance | General liability of at least $300,000 with the City of Schertz as certificate holder. Source |
| Processing time | Not published. |
| Renewal | Annual, calendar year, no fee. |
| Before a permit | You must be registered before the permit is issued |
How to register
- Create an account in the City of Schertz development portal (step-by-step guide on the city site).
- Apply to be a contractor and upload a general liability certificate of at least $300,000 naming the City of Schertz.
- Renew each calendar year (registration runs January 1 to December 31).
What each trade needs in Schertz
| Foundation repair | Not rated | General Contractor registration | Free |
|---|---|---|---|
| General contracting | Easy · 5 | General Contractor registration | Free |
| Roofing | Easy · 5 | General Contractor registration | Free |
| Plumbing | Hard · 62 | Plumbing Contractor registration | Free |
| Electrical | Hard · 58 | Electrical Contractor and Master Electrician registration | Free |
| HVAC | Hard · 52 | Mechanical Contractor registration | Free |
| Irrigation | Moderate · 27 | Irrigator registration | Free |
| Concrete flatwork | Not rated | General Contractor registration | Free |
| Drainage and detention | Not rated | Not published | |
| Demolition | Easy · 5 | General Contractor registration | Free |
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 city registration replaces.
Foundation repair, concrete flatwork, and drainage and detention work are not rated because their rules are not fully published.
How the difficulty score works
Details for each trade
Foundation repair
| Local rule | General Contractor registration. |
|---|---|
| Permit fee | $225 (residential Foundation Repair permit, plus 50% plan review and $10 technology fee) |
All contractors performing work that needs a permit must be registered with the city through the development portal. Failure to obtain the contractor license or provide insurance carries a $100 fee. Whether an engineer's letter or sealed design is required for a foundation repair permit is not stated; call Inspections at 210-619-1750.
Residential foundation repair needs a Foundation Repair permit ($225 plus 50% plan review and $10 technology fee) pulled by a registered contractor.
- Register as a General Contractor with $300,000 liability insurance naming the city.
- Ask Inspections whether the permit needs an engineer's letter.
- Apply in the development portal and pay the fees.
Checked October 18, 2026 against Schertz contractor registration; Schertz fee schedule.
General contracting (residential remodels, additions and home improvement)
| Local rule | General Contractor registration. |
|---|
All contractors performing work that needs a permit must be registered with the city through the development portal. Failure to obtain the contractor license or provide insurance carries a $100 fee.
Remodels and additions need a building permit pulled by a registered general contractor; residential plan review is 50% of the permit fee.
Checked October 18, 2026 against Schertz contractor registration; Schertz fee schedule.
Roofing
| Local rule | General Contractor registration. |
|---|---|
| Permit fee | $200 (residential Roof Replacement permit, plus fees) |
A residential roof replacement needs a $200 permit pulled by a registered contractor.
Checked October 18, 2026 against Schertz fee schedule; Schertz contractor registration.
Plumbing
| Local rule | Plumbing Contractor registration (state license on file). |
|---|---|
| Fee | Free |
Registered annually in the development portal with the State of Texas license; no fee.
Plumbing repair or replacement needs a $60 plumbing permit by a registered plumber.
Register the TSBPE license with the city (no fee).
Checked October 18, 2026 against Schertz contractor registration; Schertz fee schedule.
Electrical
| Local rule | Electrical Contractor and Master Electrician registration (state license on file). |
|---|---|
| Fee | Free |
Electrical repair or replacement needs a $60 electrical permit by a registered electrical contractor.
Register the TDLR licenses with the city (no fee).
Checked October 18, 2026 against Schertz contractor registration; Schertz fee schedule.
HVAC
| Local rule | Mechanical Contractor registration (state license on file). |
|---|---|
| Fee | Free |
Mechanical repair or replacement needs a $60 mechanical permit by a registered mechanical contractor.
Register the TDLR ACR license with the city (no fee).
Checked October 18, 2026 against Schertz contractor registration; Schertz fee schedule.
Irrigation
| Local rule | Irrigator registration (state license on file). |
|---|---|
| Fee | Free |
| Permit fee | $60 (irrigation permit, plus $1 per sprinkler head and $3 per backflow or RPZ) |
An irrigation system needs a $60 permit plus $1 per head and $3 per backflow device, by a registered irrigator.
Register the TCEQ license with the city (no fee).
Checked October 18, 2026 against Schertz contractor registration; Schertz fee schedule.
Concrete flatwork (driveways, sidewalks and work in the public right-of-way)
| Local rule | General Contractor registration. |
|---|---|
| Permit fee | $100 (residential flatwork/deck permit (no plan check fee)) |
All contractors performing work that needs a permit must be registered with the city through the development portal. Failure to obtain the contractor license or provide insurance carries a $100 fee. Right-of-way work may also need a Public Works permit; its requirements were not checked.
Residential flatwork needs a $100 flatwork/deck permit with no plan check fee.
Checked October 18, 2026 against Schertz fee schedule.
Demolition
| Local rule | General Contractor registration. |
|---|---|
| Permit fee | $60 (demolition permit) |
Demolition needs a $60 demolition permit pulled by a registered contractor.
Checked October 18, 2026 against Schertz fee schedule; Schertz contractor registration.
Schertz does not publish a local license or registration rule for drainage and detention work. Ask Inspections Division before you bid that work.
Permit fees and local rules in Schertz
- Schertz builds to the 2018 International Residential Code and Building Code, the 2015 energy code and, since September 1, 2026, the 2026 National Electrical Code.
- The city aims to finish the first plan review of a new house in 14 days and of a smaller permit that needs review in up to 5 days.
- When equipment has to be replaced in an emergency, the permit application is due by the next business day.
- Outdoor construction runs 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. on weekdays and 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday, and outdoor work is not allowed on Sunday.
- Permits are applied for, paid and tracked in the CityView portal, and the city posts a permit fee estimator for budgeting a job.
Checked October 18, 2026 against Schertz permits page; Schertz building permits, inspections and registration.
Official sources and contacts
Inspections Division, Planning and Community Development, 210-619-1750.
- Contractor registration
- Building permits, inspections and contractor registration
- Inspections Division fee schedule (effective Nov. 1, 2025)
- How to register as a contractor in the city portal
Rules and fees change, and this is not legal advice. Confirm with Inspections Division before you apply or bid.