Can I Build Tiny Home in San Antonio, TX? (2026)
Find out if you can build a tiny home in San Antonio, TX. Rules, permit requirements, costs, and next steps.
Tiny homes on permanent foundations are allowed in San Antonio, TX. Tiny homes on wheels are not permitted as permanent dwellings.
A tiny home is a small dwelling unit — typically under 400 sq ft — that can be built on a permanent foundation or on wheels. In San Antonio, TX, the rules differ significantly depending on whether the structure is on a permanent foundation (treated as a dwelling unit under building code) or on wheels (treated as a recreational vehicle under vehicle code). Tiny homes on permanent foundations must meet a minimum size of 150 sq ft in San Antonio.
Tiny Home Rules in San Antonio
Tiny Home Rules in San Antonio: Foundation-based tiny homes: Permitted. Tiny homes on wheels (THOWs): Not permitted as permanent dwelling — classified as recreational vehicle. Minimum size: 150 sq ft. Tiny homes on permanent foundations are permitted in San Antonio subject to UDC standards for the applicable zone. Texas Residential Code minimum habitable room size is 70 sqft. Tiny homes on wheels (THOWs) are not permitted as permanent residences — classified as recreational vehicles subject to vehicle codes. Tiny homes as secondary dwelling units must meet UDC Section 35-311 standards.
Costs & Fees
Building permit fees for tiny homes in San Antonio follow the same schedule as other new construction. Contact the City of San Antonio Development Services Department (DSD) at (210) 207-1111 for current fee information.
Next Steps
Next steps for building a tiny home in San Antonio: 1. Determine foundation vs. wheeled — the rules are fundamentally different. 2. For foundation tiny homes, obtain a building permit from the City of San Antonio Development Services Department (DSD). 3. For wheeled tiny homes, verify whether your property allows RV siting. 4. Check if your tiny home could qualify as an ADU on your property.
City of San Antonio Development Services Department (DSD)
Phone: (210) 207-1111
Website: https://www.sanantonio.gov/DSD
Online Permits: https://www.sanantonio.gov/DSD/Permits/PermitPortal
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I build a secondary dwelling unit (ADU) on my San Antonio property?
Yes. San Antonio allows secondary dwelling units on most residential lots under the Unified Development Code (UDC) Section 35-311. The unit can be up to 1,000 sqft for detached units. No owner-occupancy requirement in most zones. You'll need a building permit from the Development Services Department (DSD). SAWS (San Antonio Water System) connection fees apply for new utility service.
What zone is my San Antonio property in?
Use the San Antonio GIS Zoning Map at gis.sanantonio.gov/DSD/ZoningMap to look up your property's zoning designation. The city uses R-1 through R-6 for single-family and RM-4 through RM-6 for multifamily residential zones. You can also contact DSD at (210) 207-1111 for zoning verification.
Are short-term rentals (Airbnb) allowed in San Antonio?
Yes, with registration. San Antonio requires STR registration for all rentals of 30 days or fewer. The fee is $200/year. Both owner-occupied and non-owner-occupied STRs are allowed with registration. Hotel Occupancy Tax (HOT) must be collected. Your registration number must appear on all booking platform listings. Noise ordinance and occupancy limits apply.
Does San Antonio have historic district restrictions?
Yes. San Antonio has some of the strongest historic preservation rules in Texas. If your property is in a local historic district (King William, Lavaca, Government Hill, and others) or is a designated landmark, exterior alterations require a Certificate of Appropriateness from the Historic Design and Review Commission (HDRC). The process applies to all exterior changes including additions, new construction, and demolition.
What are the utility providers in San Antonio?
CPS Energy (City Public Service) provides electricity and natural gas for San Antonio. SAWS (San Antonio Water System) provides water and wastewater service. Both are city-owned utilities. CPS Energy handles interconnection for solar installations and offers net metering. New SAWS connections and impact fees apply when adding dwelling units.
Does San Antonio charge impact fees for residential development?
Yes. Unlike Dallas, San Antonio does charge impact fees for residential development. Fees depend on location and the type of utility connection required. SAWS (San Antonio Water System) charges connection fees for new water and wastewater service. Contact San Antonio DSD and SAWS for current fee schedules before planning a project.
Source: City of San Antonio Development Services Department (DSD) — Building Regulations. Last verified April 6, 2026. View source