Building Permits
Building Permit Application & Fee Information
The City of Schertz has exciting news! We just launched a new land use management software called CityView which will help automate business processes such as planning projects, permitting, inspections, contractors’ registrations, and code enforcement. The new software will allow citizens, applicants and contractors to sign up and/or register to use an interactive web portal to submit, pay, request, and track their projects, permits and inspections online through the entire process.
Submit a building permit application
Find information on building permit, inspection and registration fees.
For an estimate on building permit fees, please use the City of Schertz Permit Fee Estimator.
Requests for a 45 Day Wavier or a Building Permit Extension please fill out the provided form and upload it to the City of Schertz Web Portal.
No permit fees will be charged for sites located on Main Street.
Adopted Codes
The City of Schertz has adopted the following codes and associated local ordinances:
- International Building Code (IBC) 2018
- International Fire Code (IFC) 2018
- International Residential Code (IRC) 2018
- International Fuel Gas Code (IFGC) 2018
- International Mechanical Code (IMC) 2018
- International Plumbing Code (IPC) 2018
- International Existing Building Code (IEBC) 2018
- International Property Maintenance Code (IPMC) 2018
- Manual of Cross Connection Code, Tenth edition - 2009
State Mandated Codes:
- International Energy Code (IECC) 2015
- National Electric Code (NEC) 2020
- International Swimming Pool and Spa Code (ISPSC) 2018
For more information on adopted building and fire codes and local amendments please see Chapter 18 Buildings and Building Regulations and Chapter 30 Fire Prevention and Protection in the City’s Code of Ordinances.
Permitting Review Time Frame
- New Residential Construction Plan Review:
- 14 days to complete initial plan review.
- 7 days to complete each subsequent plan review.
- New Commercial Construction Plan Review:
- 30 days to complete initial plan review.
- 14 days to complete each subsequent plan review.
- All Other Miscellaneous Permits that require plan review:
- Up to 5 days to complete initial plan review.
Network Node Permit Request
Permit Required
Any owner or authorized agent who intends to construct, enlarge, alter, repair, move, demolish, or change the occupancy of a building or structure; or to erect, install, enlarge, alter, repair, remove, convert or replace any electrical, gas, mechanical, or plumbing system, the installation of which is regulated by the above mentioned codes; or to cause any such work to be done, shall first make application to the City of Schertz Inspection Division and obtain the required permits.
Please use the links to the left, by responsible department, to review permits that are required prior to commencing work.
- Structural
- Plumbing – including excavation and/or trenching of water, sewer and/or gas service systems; water heaters and water softener systems.
- Electrical
- Mechanical
- Lawn irrigation systems – including installation and/or replacement of double check valves, backflow prevention assemblies, pressure reduction valves, etc.
- Swimming pools, above and in ground type; and spas/hot tubs
- Fences – new installation
- Signs – temporary and permanent
- Construction trailer office
- Temporary structures
- Accessory buildings – includes storage sheds that are (120) one hundred twenty sq. ft. or larger , greenhouses, gazebos, bath/pool houses
- Decks
- Flood Plain Construction or Modifications
- Flatwork (concrete) includes free standing slabs, patios, sidewalks and/or driveways
- Patio covers and enclosures including sunrooms
- Roofing – installation and or replacement
- Siding, soffit, fascia
- Window Replacement
- Solar panels
- Moving
- Home Occupation
- Fire suppression sprinklers and stand pipes
- Gas Tanks – installation and /or removal
- Fire Hydrants
- Burning
- Tents
- Food and Beverage
- Temporary Food
- Foster Care – Child and Adult
- Food and Beverage
- Temporary Food
- Swimming Pool – Annual
- Foster Care – Child and Adult
Work Exempt from Permits
Exemptions from permit requirements of this code shall not be deemed to grant authorization for any work to be done in any manner in violation of the provisions of the code or any other laws or ordinances of this jurisdiction. Permits shall not be required for the following:
- The stopping of leaks in drains, water, soil, waste or vent pipe, provided, however, that if any concealed trap, drain pipe, water, soil, waste or vent pipe becomes defective and it becomes necessary to remove or replace the same with new material, such work shall be considered as new work and a permit shall be obtained and inspection performed.
- The clearing of stoppages or the repairing of leaks in pipes, valves or fixtures and the removal and reinstallation of water closets, provided such repairs do not involve or require the replacement or rearrangement of valves, pipes or fixtures.
- Portable heating appliances.
- Replacement of any minor part that does not alter approval of equipment or make such equipment unsafe.
- Normal maintenance work, such as replacement of lamps, sockets, fuses, drop cords, snap switches, or other similar minor repairs as may be permitted by the building official or designee or assigned inspector.
- Connection of portable electrical equipment to suitable existing permanently installed receptacles.
- Replacement of a motor of the same horsepower and rating and installation of pressure devices and similar controls, when the electrical supply for the same has been properly installed by a licensed electrician.
- The provisions of this chapter shall not apply to electrical equipment used for radio and television transmission, but does apply to equipment and wiring for power supply and the installations of towers and antennas.
- Portable heating appliances.
- Portable ventilation equipment.
- Portable cooling unit.
- Steam, hot or chilled water piping within any heating or cooling equipment regulated by this chapter.
- Replacement of any part which does not alter its approval or make it unsafe.
- Portable evaporative cooler.
- Self-contained refrigeration system containing ten pounds or less of refrigerant and actuated by motors of one horsepower or less.
- Water tanks supported directly upon grade if the capacity does not exceed 5,000 gallons and the radio of height to diameter or width does not exceed two to one.
- Painting, papering, tiling, carpeting, cabinets, counter tops and similar finish work.
- Temporary motion pictures, television and theater stage sets and scenery.
- Shade cloth structures constructed for nursery or agricultural purpose, but not including service systems.
- Swings and other temporary playground equipment accessory to one and two-family dwellings.
- Window awnings supported by an exterior wall of R-3 – One and Two Family Dwellings as applicable in Section 101.2 and Group U occupancies of the international Building Code 2012 as defined in Chapter 3 – Use and Occupancy Classification. Movable cases, countertops and partition not over (5) five feet (9) nine inches in height.
- One Story detached accessory structures used as tool and storage sheds, Playhouses, and similar uses on the same lot as a one or two family dwelling: provided the floor area is 120 square feet or less and the structure can be moved if necessary, except where located in a flood hazard area.
- The foundation for a detached accessory structure, storage sheds, playhouses and similar uses, if any, will require a flatwork permit: and location and placement of the accessory structure shall comply with Article 8 of the Schertz Unified Development Code.
- Areas located in floodplain hazard areas will require permits.
- Replacement Fences on the property of a one or two family dwelling, provided they comply with the following criteria, except where located in flood hazard area.
- The fence complies with all of the applicable requirements of the City of Schertz Unified
- Development code including but not limited to height location and materials.
- The replacement fence is in the same location, the same height and of the materials as the fence being replaced (e.g., a 6” wood privacy fence for a 6” wood privacy fence or a 4” chain link fence for a 4’ chain link fence).
- Foundations for arbors, if any, will require a flatwork permit. The arbor shall not be located in any utility easement: and shall comply with the setback requirements of Article 8 of the Schertz Unified Development Code with the exception that an arbor may be attached to main structure.
- Areas located in floodplain hazard areas will require permits.
Note: Where equipment replacements and repairs must be performed in an emergency situation, the permit application shall be submitted and obtained by the next business day at the City of Schertz Inspections Division. Failure to comply may result in a penalty being assessed in accordance with Section 1-8 of the Schertz, TX Code of Ordinances.