The Department of Code Compliance enforces City codes and regulations that result in the protection of the health, safety and welfare of all citizens. The Department is responsible for enforcing the following codes:

• vacant dangerous premises and structures
• junked vehicles
• weeded vacant lots
• zoning (Unified Development Code)
• noise
• illegal dumping
• minimum housing including unsanitary premises
• animals and fowl (does not include animals at large)
• barbed wire and fences
• certificate of occupancy
• front & side yard parking
• garage sales
• livestock permits
• alley and right-of-way violations
• vendors, hawkers and peddlers

To view the codes of ordinances for the City of San Antonio, click on the image below.

Codified through Ord. No. 94100, adopted June 14, 2001(Supplement No. 58).

DANGEROUS PREMISES    

A vacant and dilapidated building may be considered a dangerous premise as defined in City code if the structure is seen as a threat to public health or safety. Depending on the condition of the property, City officials could order its demolition or cleaning and securing at the owner's expense. In addition the City may file a case in Municipal Court against the owner of the property.

Shown below is an example of what the Code Compliance Department is trying to achieve in neighborhoods all over San Antonio. This property had been in a state of disrepair for many years. A court case was filed against one of its' prior owners. It was eventually sold to someone who was willing to make the repairs.

JUNKED VEHICLES.

The City prohibits the keeping of a junked vehicle in ordinary public view. Any inoperable motor vehicle without a current safety inspection sticker or current license plate can be considered a junked motor vehicle. A $200.00 per day fine can be imposed on owners of junked motor vehicles and/or the vehicle could be towed and destroyed if the violation is not corrected within 10 days of receipt of notification.

VACANT LOTS.

Allowing weeds, grass or brush to grow more than 12 inches high and/or allowing an accumulation of trash and debris is a violation of City code.  The City of San Antonio encourages all owners of vacant lots to keep them neatly mowed and cleared.

If your lot is overgrown in excess of 48 inches in height it may be cleaned without prior notice to the property owner regardless of its' location in the City! The City may clean the lot by private contractor at the property owner's expense! A lien can be placed on the property for the cleaning fees plus a $150.00 administrative fee.

Municipal Court Action. In addition to the above remedies, the City may also file a case against the property owner in Municipal Court.  If convicted, property owners face a fine of up to $2,000.00 per violation.

ZONING.

Zoning regulations have been made in accordance with a comprehensive plan to promote the health, safety and general welfare of the community. These regulations include provisions for the use of property and limitations upon the shape, bulk and location of buildings which occupy the land. It is a violation, for instance, to operate a commercial activity in a district designated for residential use. Violations carry a fine of up to $2,000 for failing to comply.
 

NOISE.

The Noise Ordinance regulates the allowable noise decibel level according to zoning districts and time of day. Violation levels range from an excess of 63 decibels in residential zoning districts to 85 decibels in the Entertainment zoned districts. The maximum fine for noise violations is $2,000.00.

ILLEGAL DUMPING.

UNSANITARY PREMISES.

All of us are responsible for keeping our property clear of trash, debris and overgrown vegetation. If your home is served by an alley, you are responsible for its maintenance from the middle of the alley to the front of the street.
 

ANIMALS AND FOWL.

Restrictions on the number of animals that may be kept on private property are based on the type of animal. For example, no more than five dogs and three cats may be kept on an average residential lot.

BARBED WIRE AND FENCES.

Barbed wire and fences are regulated within the City of San Antonio. A permit must be obtained to construct any type of fence and the use of barbed wire is restricted to three strands atop a six-foot fence.

CERTIFICATES OF OCCUPANCY.

Approval for the use of land or property must be obtained from the Department of Development Services in accordance with zoning regulations and renewed upon a change of ownership or use.

FRONT & SIDE YARD PARKING.

 GARAGE SALES.

LIVESTOCK PERMITS.

Written approval must be obtained from the Code Compliance Department prior to the issuance of an animal permit by the Metropolitain Health District.  Permits must be renewed annually.

OBSTRUCTIONS ON CITY PROPERTY OR RIGHT-OF-WAY.

Pedestrian and vehicular rights-of-way must be kept free of any obstructions. For example, structures, overhanging tree limbs, basketball goals, fences, dumpsters and shrubbery are prohibited when on City owned or City controlled rights-of-way. There are special regulations that apply at street intersections.

VENDORS, HAWKERS AND PEDDLERS.

Persons engaged in any commercial outdoor retail activity must meet license requirements and are restricted from operating in certain areas of the City without special approval.