Local businesses in New Braunfels

The city requires a permit any time a homeowner or contractor builds, enlarges, alters, repairs, moves or demolishes a structure, or installs or replaces an electrical, gas, mechanical, irrigation or plumbing system. Residential permits for additions, remodels, decks, fences, foundations, pools and spas, roofing, retaining walls and floodplain development are filed through the city's online portal, linked from the Building Safety permits page.

Registering a general contractor in New Braunfels

General contractors doing residential or commercial work in the city must register with the Building Safety Division. Registration costs $200, expires every December 31, and a residential contractor needs at least $300,000 of liability insurance with the city named as certificate holder. Ask to see it before you sign.

Historic properties in New Braunfels

Exterior work on a designated historic property needs a Historical Property Alteration permit, filed through the same portal.

Because NBU is the electric utility, customers on its system do not shop for a retail electric provider; check your bill if you aren't sure which utility serves the address. NBU also bills for the city's garbage and recycling, and it pays residential rebates for things like an AC tune-up, high-efficiency HVAC replacement, smart thermostats, turf removal, rain barrels, soil improvement (up to $130) and $250 for each irrigation zone you remove.

New Braunfels watering stages

As of October 2026, NBU had been in Stage 2 since August 10, 2026: sprinklers once a week by the last digit of your service address, only before 10 a.m. or after 8 p.m. The stages follow the Edwards Aquifer and Comal Springs. Stage 3 starts at 640 feet or a spring flow of 150 cubic feet per second, and on October 5, 2026 the Edwards Aquifer Authority put the Comal Springs 10-day average at 151 cfs.

New Braunfels floodplain permits

The city quotes the National Weather Service in calling Central Texas the most flash-flood-prone area in the United States. Any development in a FEMA Special Flood Hazard Area needs a floodplain permit, and improvements worth 50% or more of a building's market value must be built 2 feet above the base flood elevation.

Trees and property tax in New Braunfels

Before a large tree comes down during a project, ask the Building Safety Division at (830) 221-4041 whether the work needs city approval. Homes on the Comal County side are appraised by the Comal Appraisal District; owners on the Guadalupe County side should check with that county's appraisal district.

New Braunfels had 90,403 residents in the 2020 Census, and the city spans Comal and Guadalupe counties.

Home systems and moving in New Braunfels

• Plumbers and AC repair and HVAC, both under city permits and NBU rules
• Electricians
• Pest control
• House cleaning and movers

Outdoor work in New Braunfels

• Roofers and tree service
• Pool service and pressure washing, both shaped by the watering stage

Professional services in New Braunfels

• Attorneys and real estate agents
• Dentists and gyms

Neighbors to the west in Canyon Lake deal with Comal County instead of a city; San Marcos is another close neighbor. The wider area is on the San Antonio area page.