San Antonio and the Hill Country

The authority's Stage 2 limits bind well-permit holders, not household lawn watering. Household rules come from the water utility. San Antonio Water System sets its stages from the aquifer level at the J-17 well: Stage 1 at 660 ft, Stage 2 at 650 ft and Stage 3 at 640 ft. As of October 2026, New Braunfels Utilities had been in Stage 2 since August 10, 2026, with sprinklers once a week by the last digit of the address, and Boerne's page lists Stage 2 with one assigned weekday, still showing an effective date of August 7, 2023. The aquifer stage can change week to week, so check your utility's page before you water.

Boerne's electricity is split: most of the city gets it from Boerne Utilities, but parts are served by Bandera Electric Cooperative or Pedernales Electric Cooperative. CPS Energy serves San Antonio and portions of seven adjoining counties.

In unincorporated Bexar County, the Fire Marshal's permit rules cover buildings other than single-family homes of 3 or fewer units, so ask the Fire Marshal whether your home project needs one, and floodplain work near the 1% annual-chance floodplain needs a $50 Floodplain Development Permit. Comal County requires septic, floodplain ($40 application) and right-of-way permits, and a septic application needs a design from a registered engineer or sanitarian. It also requires a permit before outdoor lighting goes up in the Camp Bullis Dark Skies Zone. Kendall County wants a Development Permit before septic or well permits, with a 911 rural address and access permit first.

Inside San Antonio, the city's 2021 tree fact sheet says a contractor hired to prune or remove trees must hold a city Tree Maintenance License (confirm the current rule with the city), and general contractors register as Home Improvement ($150 for two years) or Residential Building ($170 for two years) contractors. See the tree service guide. The April 12, 2016 hailstorm caused $1.36 billion in Bexar County damage by the Insurance Council of Texas's estimate; the roofing guide covers claims.

Bexar County places

Bexar Appraisal District's 2026 protest deadline was May 15, and owners can protest without receiving a notice. Short-term rental operators owe Bexar County's 1.75% hotel occupancy tax on top of state and city tax.

• San Antonio

Comal County places

Comal Appraisal District appraises property here, and the county advises contacting the Engineer's Office about flooding before buying or building.

• New Braunfels
• Canyon Lake

Kendall County places

Kendall Appraisal District appraises property, and the county's burn ban was off as of October 2, 2026.

• Boerne

Lists to start with include San Antonio AC repair and New Braunfels plumbers.