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Legislative Process Now in Session
The 88th Texas Legislative session officially opened on Jan. 10, 2023. DSD staff, in coordination with the City’s Governmental Affairs Department, have been monitoring proposed bills to analyze local impacts. Staff will continue to monitor the filings through the March 10 deadline. The session will conclude May 29. Currently, Development Services is tracking approximately 65 bills, with more expected to be filed.
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Sign Code Community Meetings
We continue to work on Sign Code, Ch. 28 of the municipal code. Several community meetings were held throughout San Antonio to gather input on a proposed amendment allowing painted (static) billboards to be converted into digital signage. The committee continues to meet to finalize proposed amendments for City Council consideration.
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Proactive Apartment Inspections Program going to Council
DSD's Code Enforcement Section has been working with a stakeholder group since Oct. 2022 to develop and propose an ordinance and program for proactive apartment inspections. Violations in apartment complexes present unique challenges that impact many tenants and families.
Since Oct. 18, DSD has held 12 stakeholder 3-hour long meetings that were open to the public. The stakeholder group was comprised of members from the Housing Commission’s Renter’s Solutions Subcommittee, Texas Housers, San Antonio Apartment Association, San Antonio Board of Realtors leasing Property management Committee, property owners, and the Institute of Real Estate Management San Antonio. The group reviewed code enforcement processes, asked for terminology clarification, and reviewed 18 months of apartment data highlighting most common violations.
The program goal is to incentivize property management at apartment complexes to ensure the health, safety, and welfare of its residents; hold property owners more accountable for too many violations of basic housing safety standards; and proactively verify compliance on properties needing it most.
Apartment complexes receiving three designated (structural, mechanical, plumbing, electrical, means of egress, fire safety, pest infestation, interior violations such as holes in walls, flooring, ceiling) citations within a 6-month period will be required to register with the City. Properties would remain on the registry for a minimum six months and, in order to leave the program, would be required to correct all violations and have less than three citations in a rolling 6-month period. The complex would remain on probation for four years and, if back in the program, the time would be extended to a year. Fees for the registration are still to be determined.
Thank you to all the participants, tenants, and stakeholders that gave their input to create this important program.
The program should be heading to council for consideration in March or April.
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Planning Commission update
On Feb. 9, 2023, City Council approved and welcomed five candidates to the City’s Planning Commission. Four of the members are returning to serve along with one new member. They are:
- Matthew Proffitt (Chair)
- George Peck (Pro Tem)
- Meredith Seigel
- Samer Dessouky
- Stephanie Faulkner (new)
For more information on City board and commission rosters, visit the City Clerk's website.
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Crane Bat Cave
On Jan. 26, 2023, City Council approved an ordinance transferring operations and management of the Crane Bat Cave preserve from the Edwards Aquifer Protection Program (EAPP) to the Southern Edwards Plateau Habitat Conservation Plan (SEP-HCP). As a condition of the transfer, the SEP-HCP accepted a conservation easement onto the Crane Bat Cave preserve, in accordance with EAPP rules. The preserve was initially acquired in 2015 as part of Proposition 1 and now the SEP-HCP has reimbursed the initial, full purchase amount (about $2 million.) This allows the EAPP to seek out and acquire additional land for aquifer protection while the SEP-HCP preserves the Crane Bat Cave preserve.
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New Memorial Way Approved on Jan. 26
Emma Tenayuca Memorial Way, on E. Cevallos between IH-35 and Probandt St., was recently approved by City Council. Born in 1916 here in San Antonio, Emma Tenayuca fought for better working conditions and wages for Mexican-American workers in 1938. DSD facilitated the memorial way designation process for Council approval.
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Contractor Connect Training
DSD is hosting several in-person training sessions. Each session runs from 8:30 to 10:30 a.m. Sign up in advance during one of your visits at our counter or by calling us at 210.207.1111. For more information, visit our website
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The following Information Bulletins (IB) recently posted:
IB 228 – Residential Builder and Home Improvement Contractor FBI National Background Check and Certification Requirements, posted Jan. 31, 2023. This IB was revised to include a new safety requirement. This affects home builder contractors only and went into effect on Feb. 1, 2023. Home builder contractors or agents affiliated with the contractor will now be required to obtain a Residential ICC Certification or other certifications approved by the Building Official.
IB 402 – Accessory Dwelling Units (ADU), posted Jan. 1, 2023. This IB was created to inform customers of the current requirements and permitting process for accessory dwelling units (ADUs); and provides an easy-to-follow guide to frequently asked questions about ADUs including a template for the covenant that is required for permitting.
IB 403 – Gas Station Locations, posted Jan. 1, 2023. This IB was created to inform customers of submittal requirements for the new location limitations for gas stations in the Unified Development Code (UDC) under 35-397.01 – Gasoline Stations.
QUICK LINKS:
**Information Bulletins located in Documents Online are numbered by section.
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We are hiring!
The City of San Antonio’s Development Services Department is responsible for coordinating land and building development throughout the City. In partnership with other City departments, Development Services helps homeowners, business owners, and those in the commercial industry plan and execute development projects. Projects can be as simple as a kitchen renovation in a home and as complex as constructing a new building on an untouched piece of property.
To join our DSD team, visit the City's Career web page and fill out an application today.
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In line with the city holiday schedule, DSD will be closed on March 31, 2023, in observance of Cesar Chavez.
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