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DEVELOPMENT SERVICES/PERMITTING

In 2007, the City of San Antonio granted special permitting authority to Port San Antonio, governing technical plan review, permitting, inspection, and certificate of occupancy, which has the unique ability to provide critical and timely assistance to customers. Port permitting authority covers all aspects of construction including Building permits, M.E.P. trade permits, Fire permits, Sign permits, Certificates of Occupancy, etc. All construction projects within the Port must be submitted to the Port’s Permitting office prior to construction or occupancy. Through its in-house expedited permit process, which has an average plan review time of 5 business days, the Port saves its customers invaluable time in the pre-construction phase of projects. During construction, Port inspections are guaranteed next day which ensures that your contractors can keep moving forward without unexpected cancellations or delays. 

Port San Antonio-Development Services Team

Nathan Lester, CBO, MCP, RAS                                                                           
Director of Development Services/Chief Building Officer                
Direct (210) 362-7851                                                                                    
Nathan.lester@portsanantonio.us                                                          

Maria de Lourdes Gonzalez
Plans Review and Permits Manager
Direct (210) 362-7872
Maria.gonzalez@portsanantonio.us

 

Permitting

Purpose:
All construction permits, inclusive of technical plan reviews and inspections through Certificate of Occupancy shall be issued by the Port’s Chief Building Official to ensure compliance with locally adopted codes & ordinances to protect the health, safety and general welfare of both the Authority tenants, surrounding residents and the general public. 

***Contractors are NOT required to submit for separate permits through the City’s DSD or Fire Dept.  All Building, M.E.P., and Fire-related permits, as well as Certificates of Occupancy will be issued by the Port’s Chief Building Official.*** 

Deliverables:

  • Technical review and permit approval for all construction projects through Certificate of Occupancy

Project submission

Port requires digital submission of all projects.  Requests for permit can be submitted through multiple avenues.

  1. Email attachments: (all documents required in the permit packet must fit in a single email), or
  2. Email digital download link such as OneDrive, Google Drive, DropBox, etc., or
  3. Contact PSA Team so we can setup a contractors OneDrive file that applicants can upload application packets directly

***Partial submittals will not be accepted and will cause unnecessary delays in your project.  Make sure to reference the required project checklist and/or contact staff directly to ensure all required documentation is provided***

  • New construction projects: (see checklist for required submission packet requirements)
  • Interior finish-outs, Remodels: (see checklist for required submission packet requirements)
  • Fire-related projects: (see specific application for required submission packet requirements)
  • Small projects including fences, signs, etc.:
    • Completed building permit application
    • Site plan
    • Project exhibit/rendering
    • Permit fee

Fees

Please contact Maria Gonzalez (210) 362-7872 (maria.gonzalez@portsanantonio.us) or Nathan Lester (210) 362-7851 (Nathan.lester@portsanantonio.us) to confirm permit fees due for proposed projects. Port staff will send an invoice for fees due once the request for permit has been processed and accepted for review

Plan Review

All building-related and M.E.P. technical reviews will be completed by the Port’s 3rd-party plan review and inspections firm(s). 

Review Goals:

  • Ten (10) working days for building-related permits.
  • 48 hrs for all small job, trade type permits.

All fire-related technical reviews will be completed by the Port’s 3rd-party fire protection engineering review firm(s).  ***Note:  Contractors are NOT required to submit for separate permits through the City’s Fire Dept.  Once Port staff has completed the technical fire review, and issued the fire permit, Port staff will register the project with the City’s Fire Dept. for inspections. 

Review Goals:

  • Seven (7) working days

Adopted Codes

To maintain consistency for project designers and contractors, the Port’s Permitting Program follows all City of San Antonio guidelines, standards, informational bulletins, and adopted model codes and ordinances. 

Currently, any proposed projects within Port San Antonio must comply with the following adopted codes:

  • 2021 International Building Code with local amendments,
  • 2021 International Fire Code with local amendments,
  • 2021 International Plumbing/Mechanical/Fuel Gas Codes with local amendments,
  • 2021 International Existing Building Code with local amendments,
  • 2021 International Energy Conservation Code (I.E.C.C.) with local amendments, and
  • 2020 National Electrical Code (N.E.C.) with local amendments.
  • City of San Antonio’s Code of Ordinances
  • City of San Antonio’s Unified Development Code

San Antonio’s locally adopted codes and ordinances can be found on Municode. Specifically, the adopted Building-related codes can be found in Chapter 10 of the City’s Code of Ordinances.  The adopted Fire Prevention code can be found in Chapter 11.  You can reference the adoption of these codes on the City of San Antonio’s website.

Inspections

All building-related and M.E.P. type inspections will be completed by the Port’s 3rd-party plan review and inspections firm.  (see Requesting Inspections bulletin for additional information)

All fire-related inspections will be completed by the City’s Fire Prevention Division.  ***Note:  Contractors are NOT required to submit for separate permits through the City’s Fire Dept.  Once Port staff has completed the technical fire review, and issued the fire permit, Port staff will register the project with the City’s Fire Dept. for inspections.  Upon receipt of the approved plans and permit, along with the COSA registration, contractors will be able to schedule inspections immediately with the City’s Fire Dept. (see Requesting Inspections bulletin for additional information)


Specialized review and approval

In addition to the standard construction-related reviews, certain projects require specialized review.  The following review processes are coordinated by Port Permitting staff prior to or during the permitting process and must be considered early in the design process to avoid unnecessary delays in permitting. 

PROPERTY MANAGEMENT APPROVAL

FAA project approval

Construction: All proposed exterior construction or alteration projects which include vertical elements  requires FAA review to verify no hazard to flight navigation prior to issuance of any construction permits.

Crane usage: Any projects proposing the use of a crane requires FAA review to verify no hazard to flight navigation prior to use.  This can be handled during the permit review process if contractors are prepared with upfront scheduling

Review Period:
The review consideration period can be between 60 to 90 calendar days.

POC: Danny Jones
Airport Operations Director
Direct (210) 362-7838
Danny.Jones@portsanantonio.us

Excavation Clearance approval

All mechanical excavation (i.e. no use of hand tools) must be specifically approved by the Port’s utilities coordinator prior to permit issuance.

Review Period:
The review consideration period can be between 14 calendar days or less (project dependent).

POC: Andrew Perez
Project Manager
Direct (210) 362-7817
Andrew.Perez@portsanantonio.us

Air Force Real Property Agency (AFRPA) ‘Leaseback’ approval

All projects implemented on property that has not been transferred to the Port Authority requires AFRPA review and approval prior to commencement of any construction activity.

Purpose:
To primarily ensure compliance with past and current environmental regulations in support of the Port’s Master Lease agreement with the United States Air Force.

Review Period:
The review consideration period, as per the Master Lease, shall be 30 calendar days.

POC:  Port Property Manager
Direct (210) 362-7800

Architectural Control Committee (ACC) approval

ACC review and approval is required for Port projects including Real Estate Development; Asset Management; and Tenant related construction.

Purpose:
The general intent is to ensure compliance with the Port’s Design & Development Standards to foster the use and development of land in an orderly manner by both private and public interests with special consideration given to the appearance of The Port as a result of such development.

Requirements:
The Project Manager shall submit construction documents for review.  It is the Port’s Property Manager, Project Manager, and permit applicant’s responsibility to ensure final ACC project approval.

Review Period:
Twenty (20) calendar days.

Deliverables:
The ACC will provide a letter of acceptance to the Project Manager acknowledging the documents, as presented, follow the Port’s Design & Development Standards.  Projects will not be allowed to submit for Permitting without prior-ACC approval.

POC: Nathan Lester, CBO, MCP, RAS
Director of Development Services / Chief Building Officer
Direct (210) 362-7851
Nathan.lester@portsanantonio.us