How long does a building permit take in San Antonio?
Updated November 11, 2026 · Built from official fee schedules and city permit records
San Antonio issues most small residential permits the same day. New homes take one to four weeks, and accessory dwelling units take longest.
Wait time by permit type
| Permit | Permits measured | Fastest 25% | Median | Slowest 25% start at | Slowest 10% start at |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Re-roof | 4,412 | same day | same day | same day | same day |
| Fence | 1,050 | same day | same day | 2 days | 9 days |
| Home addition | 408 | same day | same day | 3 days | 23 days |
| Foundation repair | 3,238 | same day | 1 day | 4 days | 9 days |
| Swimming pool | 281 | same day | 1 day | 4 days | 8 days |
| New house | 3,592 | 6 days | 9 days | 28 days | 86 days |
| Adu / backyard cottage | 53 | 39 days | 68 days | 146 days | 187 days |
Figures cover every building permit the city issued from November 1, 2025 to October 31, 2026, measured from submittal date to issue date. The median is the middle permit: half were faster, half slower. The slowest 25% usually had plan corrections or a full plan review.
How to get your permit faster
- Submit complete plans the first time. Each correction cycle sends the file back to the end of the reviewer's queue.
- Check whether your project qualifies for the city's simpler or over-the-counter path (listed below for each permit type).
- Answer reviewer comments the same week. Clock time while the city waits on you counts in these numbers.
More San Antonio permit guides
- Building permit cost in San Antonio
- New house permit cost
- Roofing permit cost
- Fence permit cost
- Pool permit cost
- Home addition permit cost
Sources
- Fees: San Antonio DSD FY 2027 Development Fee Schedule (revised October 2026)
- Permit data: San Antonio Building Permits (data.sanantonio.gov), permits issued November 1, 2025 to October 31, 2026. Processing time is measured from submittal date to issue date.
This is an independent guide built from public records. It is not affiliated with the San Antonio Development Services Department (DSD). Fees change, and the city calculates your final fee when you apply; confirm the amount with the city before you budget.
Common questions
How long does it take to get a building permit in San Antonio?
Most small permits are issued the same day. New houses took a median 9 days.
Why do ADU permits take longer in San Antonio?
They need full plan review; the median was 68 days.