Texas contractor licensing
How to Get a Contractor License in Universal City, Texas
Universal City requires a contractor registration from the city for foundation repair, general contracting, and roofing. The fee is not published online. You also need proof of liability insurance, a $5,000 bond, and a background check.
City contractor registration in Universal City
| Registration | Contractor registration (General Contractor / Home Improvement Contractor) |
|---|---|
| Covers | Foundation repair, general contracting, and roofing |
| Fee | The registration pages do not publish the fee. Call Development Services at 210-659-0333. Fee schedule |
| Insurance | Certificate of insurance naming Universal City as holder, at least $300,000 general liability. Source |
| Bond | $5,000. Source |
| Background check | A recent Texas DPS criminal history search for each applicant, partner or corporate officer (or from the issuing state for out-of-state licenses). |
| Processing time | Up to 5 to 7 working days for applications needing a new review. |
| Renewal | Yearly from the date of issuance. |
| Before a permit | You must be registered before the permit is issued |
How to register
- Get a $5,000 bond and a $300,000 general liability certificate naming Universal City.
- Get a recent Texas DPS criminal history search for each owner or officer.
- Create a portal account and apply for the registration with a driver's license copy.
- Renew every year; a new application with references is needed every 5 years.
Registrations from other cities are not accepted. A Subcontractor Verification Letter is required for each subcontractor on the building permit. Applications more than 5 years old must be redone with new references at renewal; review can take 5 to 7 working days.
What each trade needs in Universal City
| Foundation repair | Not rated | Home Improvement Contractor registration | |
|---|---|---|---|
| General contracting | Not rated | Home Improvement Contractor registration | |
| Roofing | Not rated | Home Improvement Contractor registration | |
| Plumbing | Hard · 62 | Contractor registration | Free |
| Electrical | Hard · 58 | Contractor registration | Free |
| HVAC | Hard · 52 | Contractor registration | Free |
| Irrigation | Moderate or harder · 32+ | Contractor registration | |
| Concrete flatwork | Not rated | Not published | |
| Drainage and detention | Not rated | Not published | |
| Demolition | Not rated | Home Improvement Contractor registration |
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, general contracting, roofing, concrete flatwork, drainage and detention work, and demolition are not rated because their rules are not fully published.
How the difficulty score works
Details for each trade
Foundation repair
| Local rule | Home Improvement Contractor registration (existing residential only) or General Contractor registration. |
|---|---|
| Bond | $5,000. Source |
| Background check | A recent Texas DPS criminal history search for each applicant, partner or corporate officer (or from the issuing state for out-of-state licenses). |
Registrations from other cities are not accepted. A Subcontractor Verification Letter is required for each subcontractor on the building permit. Applications more than 5 years old must be redone with new references at renewal; review can take 5 to 7 working days. The city does not name a category for foundation repair; Home Improvement covers construction on existing residential property only. Engineering requirements for foundation repair permits were not found.
Foundation repair on an existing home needs a building permit pulled by a registered Home Improvement or General Contractor.
- Register as a Home Improvement Contractor (or General Contractor).
- Ask the Building Official whether the repair needs an engineer's letter.
Checked October 18, 2026 against Universal City contractor registration; Universal City Home Improvement Contractor.
General contracting (residential remodels, additions and home improvement)
| Local rule | Home Improvement Contractor registration (existing residential only) or General Contractor registration. |
|---|---|
| Bond | $5,000. Source |
| Background check | A recent Texas DPS criminal history search for each applicant, partner or corporate officer (or from the issuing state for out-of-state licenses). |
Remodels and additions need a building permit by a registered General or Home Improvement Contractor, with a verification letter for each subcontractor.
Checked October 18, 2026 against Universal City General Contractor; Universal City Home Improvement Contractor.
Roofing
| Local rule | Home Improvement Contractor registration (existing residential only) or General Contractor registration. |
|---|---|
| Bond | $5,000. Source |
| Background check | A recent Texas DPS criminal history search for each applicant, partner or corporate officer (or from the issuing state for out-of-state licenses). |
Roofing companies must register with the city even if registered elsewhere. All roof projects, even minor repairs, need a permit, issued from a signed copy of the homeowner contract showing the owner, address, scope (number of squares) and price. Carbon monoxide alarms may be required before the final roof inspection. Registrations from other cities are not accepted. A Subcontractor Verification Letter is required for each subcontractor on the building permit. Applications more than 5 years old must be redone with new references at renewal; review can take 5 to 7 working days.
Every roof project, even a minor repair, needs a permit issued from a copy of the signed homeowner contract.
- Register with the city (criminal history search, insurance, bond).
- Submit the signed contract with scope in squares and price to get the permit.
- Install any required carbon monoxide alarms before the final roof inspection.
Checked October 18, 2026 against Universal City roofers; Universal City contractor registration.
Plumbing
| Local rule | Contractor registration. |
|---|---|
| Fee | Free |
| Insurance | A bond or certificate of insurance naming Universal City as holder. |
Register with a driver's license copy and a copy of the Texas state plumbing license. A Subcontractor Verification Letter is needed when listed as a subcontractor.
Plumbing work needs a permit by a registered plumber; a backflow form is required.
Checked October 18, 2026 against Universal City plumbing contractors.
Electrical
| Local rule | Contractor registration. |
|---|---|
| Fee | Free |
| Insurance | A bond or certificate of insurance naming Universal City as holder. |
Register with a driver's license copy and a copy of the Texas state electrical license. A Subcontractor Verification Letter is needed when listed as a subcontractor.
Electrical work needs a permit by a registered electrician; solar submittals need the CPS Energy approval stamp.
Checked October 18, 2026 against Universal City electricians.
HVAC
| Local rule | Contractor registration. |
|---|---|
| Fee | Free |
| Insurance | A bond or certificate of insurance naming Universal City as holder. |
Register with a driver's license copy and a copy of the Texas state mechanical license. A Subcontractor Verification Letter is needed when listed as a subcontractor.
Mechanical work needs a permit by a registered mechanical contractor.
Checked October 18, 2026 against Universal City mechanical contractors.
Irrigation
| Local rule | Contractor registration. |
|---|---|
| Fee | Fee not stated on the page. Fee schedule |
| Insurance | A bond or certificate of insurance naming Universal City as holder. |
Register with a driver's license copy and a copy of the TCEQ license. A Subcontractor Verification Letter is needed when listed as a subcontractor.
Lawn irrigation needs a permit by a registered irrigation contractor.
Register with the city with the TCEQ license and a bond or insurance.
Checked October 18, 2026 against Universal City irrigation contractor.
Demolition
| Local rule | Home Improvement Contractor registration (existing residential only) or General Contractor registration. |
|---|---|
| Fee | The registration pages do not publish the fee. Call Development Services at 210-659-0333. Fee schedule |
| Insurance | Certificate of insurance naming Universal City as holder, at least $300,000 general liability. |
| Bond | $5,000. Source |
| Background check | A recent Texas DPS criminal history search for each applicant, partner or corporate officer (or from the issuing state for out-of-state licenses). |
| Before the permit | You must be registered before the permit is issued |
The General Contractor page links demolition information for residential and commercial structures; details were not reviewed. Registrations from other cities are not accepted. A Subcontractor Verification Letter is required for each subcontractor on the building permit. Applications more than 5 years old must be redone with new references at renewal; review can take 5 to 7 working days.
Demolition is handled through the General Contractor registration and the city's demolition information.
Follow the city's demolition information and apply for the permit.
Checked October 18, 2026 against Universal City General Contractor.
Universal City does not publish a local license or registration rule for concrete flatwork and drainage and detention work. Ask Development Services Department before you bid that work.
Official sources and contacts
Development Services Department, 210-659-0333.
- Contractor registration
- General Contractor registration
- Home Improvement Contractor registration
- Roofers
Rules and fees change, and this is not legal advice. Confirm with Development Services Department before you apply or bid.