Do I Need a Permit to Build a Stained Concrete Patio Cover?

Do I Need a Permit to Build a Stained Concrete Patio Cover?

The city of San Antonio is often frequented by sunny days for a good part of the year. As a homeowner in the area, you may have considered adding amenities to your home to take advantage of the great weather. Before you get started on your next construction project, you might want to make sure that your plans are within regulation.


Starting any sort of construction project, even by yourself, usually requires a permit from the Department of Developmental Services. Besides the necessary forms, they can provide you with all the resources you may need to make sure that your projects are up to code. This allows you to save less time worrying about possible issues that may come up when trying to sell your property.

 

Why do you need permits?

Permits are a means of protecting the people involved in the project. Whether it’s just you, a contractor, or even a potential buyer for your home, permits ensure that accountability is easier to pin down. Permits can ensure that projects are completed. You can potentially lose thousands of dollars in value on an unfinished or unsafe project. It also prevents frustration that comes from things you were not directly involved in, such as when a project does more harm than good to your house.

 

Do I actually need a permit?

Whether you’re putting a stained concrete patio together on your own or hiring contractors to do it for you, permit requirements may differ. This can also be affected by the size of the patio you want to create. You may need to acquire a site plan for general repair and new home construction projects as well as proof of ownership. General repairs can usually get over-the-counter access to a permit. New home construction may take longer as it may need to go through a full plan review.

 

If the resulting construction work is under 30 inches in height and 200 square feet, it’s possible you might not need a permit at all. A general repair permit application would cover patio construction projects above 200 square feet but below 1000. Anything above 1000 square feet falls under new home construction and will require the necessary permits.

 

How do I get a permit?

There are several stages in obtaining a building permit.  The overall time frame can take a few weeks and can include the actual construction process.

 

Zoning determines what kind of use your area allows. If you are building in a historic district, you may need to get authorization from the Office of Historic Preservation before you can start the permit application. 

 

Once you’ve confirmed that you are within zoning regulations, you can begin the permit application. The kinds of permits you need to obtain depend on the project scope. If your patio features certain amenities, you may need to get additional permits for the utilities. 

 

After the necessary documents have been submitted and fees are handled, your project will be up for review. From here, the actual construction can begin and the site will be scheduled for inspection throughout each phase of construction work to ensure that it’s up to code as well as safe for the homeowner and the community. Finally, once all inspections are passed, Development Services can allow utility services if they aren’t already available.

 

References:

10 Best Things to Do in San Antonio, Texas

10 Best Things to Do in San Antonio, Texas

Thinking of dropping by San Antonio but not sure which sights to take in? Here are our top 10 best sights
and things to do while in the city:

 

1. The Alamo

The Alamo stands as a tribute to the 189 brave Texans who held out during a 13-day siege by the
Mexican ruler, Antonio Lopez de Santa Anna, in 1836. It features artifacts from the many famous
defenders like James Bowie and Davy Crockett. The site also features a museum and gift shop.

2. Brackenridge Park

Brackenridge Park offers natural trails and is home to several other popular attractions such as the
Japanese Tea Gardens, the Sunken Garden Theater, San Antonio Botanical Garden, the Witte Museum
as well as the San Antonio Zoo. It also has a train that goes around the park, allowing guests to get
around easier. The park is featured in most San Antonio tour packages.

 

3. Natural Bridge Caverns

The largest known natural caves in the country can be found in the Natural Bridge Caverns. On top of
enjoying the amazing natural rock formations, there is also a replica mining town. Here kids can go
through a small maze and pan for gold and other gems. The site got its name from the limestone slab
that resembles a bridge found at the entrance of the cave’s amphitheater.

4. San Fernando Cathedral

San Fernando Cathedral is one of the oldest in the country, constructed by the colonists from the Canary
Islands back in 1738. It is still an active place of worship and is believed that many heroes from The
Alamo are buried in the graveyard with unmarked tombs. The church also holds frequent light shows in
the evenings.

5. Majestic Theatre

The Majestic Theater is the largest and oldest theater in the city. It was designed in 1929 by John
Eberson. It boasts a 2,311-seating capacity as well as being the first theater in the state to get air
conditioning. It was designated a National Historic Landmark in 1993.

6. River Walk

The Paseo del Rio is San Antonio’s most famous tourist attraction. It goes along the banks of the San
Antonio River, which runs through the center of the city. It also connects to other major attractions such
as the San Antonio Museum of Art and Brackenridge Park. Each side of the river is lined with
restaurants, cafes, hotels, and boutiques.

7. Natural Bridge Wildlife Ranch

Natural Bridge Wildlife Ranch is a drive-thru safari spanning 400 acres. At least 40 different species make
up the 500 animals that roam the area freely. Visitors are given a free bag of food with the entrance fee.

 

8. San Antonio Museum of Art

The San Antonio Museum of Art is home to a collection that spans 5,000 years of international culture. It
features a gift shop and a cafe as well for when you’re done looking through the 30,000+ pieces on
display. The museum opened for public viewing in 1981 and has been a must-see location for both
visitors and locals.

9. San Antonio Missions National Historical Park

History buffs would most likely be interested in visiting San Antonio Missions National Historical Park. It
is here that San Antonio’s historic missions are all located. They are a tribute to the success of
Catholicism spreading through the southwest and eventually reaching Mexico.

10. San Antonio Market Square

The San Antonio Market Square is always lively and allows locals and visitors alike to immerse
themselves in Mexican culture. The outdoor plaza spans three blocks lined with many restaurants and
specialty shops featuring Mexican craftsmanship and artistry.

References:
https://www.tripadvisor.com/Attractions-g60956-Activities-San_Antonio_Texas.html
https://travel.usnews.com/San_Antonio_TX/Things_To_Do/
https://www.thecrazytourist.com/top-25-things-to-do-in-san-antonio-tx/

How Long Does It Take to Get a Building Permit in San Antonio?

How Long Does It Take to Get a Building Permit in San Antonio?

Whether you’re investing in a new property or doing some simple remodeling work, permits are essential in keeping everyone involved in the project protected. This allows the contractor, the client, and the government of San Antonio an easier time with accountability concerns. 

 

Contractors often handle most of the legwork to obtain the necessary permits. However, having a better understanding of the process can possibly affect decision-making. In order to avoid complications during the project, it helps to have a clear timeline on how the necessary permits can be obtained.  This timeline can vary depending on the type of building project. 

 

Similar to the construction project itself, there are various stages for required permits. The overall process usually takes around a few weeks to a month, depending on the length of time needed to work on the actual construction. We’ll go over each one as well as provide an overview of the process involved. Here you can learn more information https://www.informationsanantonio.com/san-antonio-home-values/

 

Prerequisites

Construction projects must be carried out by a licensed contractor registered with the city of San Antonio and has obtained the proper building permits. This part of the project timeline is largely dependent on the time frame needed to locate a contractor that meets these requirements.

 

Zoning

You will need to verify what kind of district the property is in before the building can start. The city of San Antonio has various zoning districts and not all of them allow for residential or commercial use. 

 

If you are in a historic district, river improvement overlay district, a local landmark, or viewshed protection, you will need authorization from the Office of Historic Preservation for your Project. Most of these can be done online and handled over the course of a few days.

 

Permit Application

After verifying what the zoning district allows for construction and that the property is properly platted, you can proceed with the building permit application proper. Contractors registered with the city of San Antonio are allowed to obtain all residential building permits required on behalf of the homeowner. 

 

The type of permits needed can vary depending on the project scope. While some permits take time to review, this usually only takes around three business days maximum for residential buildings. Commercial buildings may take a bit longer, usually between 8 to 70 days, depending on the permit type being applied for.

 

Review

Upon submission of the necessary documents and the fees have been paid for, Development Services will forward the building plans to the appropriate departments for review. Assuming that all things are in order, this process should take around three business days, longer for commercial buildings. This may take even longer if there are revisions or modifications needed to be handled.

 

Inspection

To ensure the safety and good health of the community, its residents, and contractors, building inspections are conducted during each stage of construction.  This ensures that each installation is up to the required building codes. This phase of the permit application process can be dependent on the length of time needed to finish stages of construction and the availability of inspectors to visit the site.

 

Utilities

Once the final approvals have been given during the inspections, Development Services can provide the green light to turn on utility services, this can include gas, electricity, and water. These can also be provided temporarily if required for the construction process and can be requested by the appropriate contractors.

 

References:

San Antonio Home Values

San Antonio Home Values

San Antonio, Texas has a lot of appeal to people looking to make real estate investments as well as moving into the city. It features a lot of industry sectors that contribute to a fast-growing economy that stands out throughout the country. As such, you can expect that there is a higher demand for housing, which contributed to the rise in pricing.

What exactly makes the city of San Antonio, Texas so appealing? How has it stayed consistently popular with the real estate market? We’ll go over some of the things that make San Antonio such a great place to be and the factors that give it such a significant edge in home value.

Population Growth

San Antonio is the second most populated city in the state of Texas as well as the southern part of the United States. It is currently home to more than 2.5 million residents living in the metropolitan area alone. On top of its already impressive numbers, people all over the country are still pouring in yearly to move in. On average, there are at least 66 people moving into the metropolitan area, the fastest rate of growth among all the cities in the country. This population growth is mostly thanks to the city’s low cost of living and tax rates.

Job Market

The economy of San Antonio shows the fastest sign of new growth as it recovers from the effects of the 2020 Pandemic. Despite the struggles brought about by the deadly Covid-19 virus, San Antonio continues to shine in the information technology, finance, as well as trade and transportation industries. It also excels in cybersecurity, healthcare, new energy, manufacturing, defense, and aviation.

Even before the pandemic, the city has been outperforming the US average over the past years. Despite a really tight job market, it still has surging job growth. The city boasts a $129.4 Billion GDP, with an unemployment rate of 6.3 (as of October 2020).

Quality of Life

San Antonio is home to a variety of diverse cultures. It is home to many historical sites such as The Alamo, the San Antonio Missions, and many others. The city inspires the artists, the adventurers, and the ambitious.

The people of San Antonio are highly productive and well-educated, making for a strong, solid, and diverse local economy. On top of that, San Antonio boasts a cost of living that’s only 2 percent above the national average. Thanks to its semi-arid and subtropical climate, people living in the area can enjoy mild winters and long hot summers. This allows for a good variety of exciting activities and community traditions that everyone can enjoy.

Given all that’s been said so far and looking at the numbers, it is worth considering an investment in a home within San Antonio, whether for permanent residence or rental. Thanks to the city’s rapid growth, there is a lot going into development making the cost of living incredibly affordable. As the population grows, so does the demand for development. This pretty much guarantees growth should you decide to invest in a home.

References:
https://www.noradarealestate.com/blog/san-antonio-real-estate/
https://learn.roofstock.com/blog/san-antonio-real-estate-market
https://sanantonio.culturemap.com/news/real-estate/06-18-21-san-antonio-board-of-realtors-report-home-sales-prices-grow/