On March 10, 2010, the City of San Antonio Development Services Department issued a  bulletin clarifying the requirements for residential foundation repair and/or replacement permits.  These requirements are effective April 9, 2010.  Call now for introductory pricing:  210-601-1379.

In order to obtain a permit, applicants must be the homeowner or registered as a residential builder and must complete the Foundation Repair Permit and submit it to the One Stop Counter at the DBS Center or any of the City’s Service Centers.  This application and the permit must be available at the job site.  This permit cannot be obtained using the department’s on-line permitting system.  A double fee will apply for failure to obtain a permit before starting work.

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The specific requirements for each foundation type are as follows:

Slab on Grade – This type of repair needs to be designed and inspected by a professional engineer, licensed by the state of Texas.  In order to clear the foundation inspection, the engineer letter must specifically indicate that the drainage away from the foundation meets the minimum requirements of the City’s current building codes.  Failure to include this information in the engineer letter will result in receiving a “partial pass” Foundation Inspection and will require the permit holder to schedule a Final Inspection in order for the department to verify that the drainage away from the foundation meets the minimum requirements of the code.

Pier & Footing – Applicants must state the type and number of piers that will be repaired and/or replaced.  This type of repair or replacement work needs to be designed and inspected by a professional engineer, licensed by the state of Texas.  An engineer letter must be submitted to clear the foundation inspection.

The ICC Residential Building Code has additional requirements based upon the scope of work as follows:

Wood Sill/Beam/Girder/Shimming Repair or Replacement – This type of work must be designed and inspected by a professional engineer, licensed by the state of Texas.  In order to clear the foundation inspection, the engineer letter must specifically indicate that the repair or replacement of the wood sills, wood shim, beam, girder, meet the minimum requirements of the City’s code.  Failure to include this information will result in receiving a “partial pass” Foundation Inspection and the permit will remain open until the department receives verification from the engineer that the wood sills, beam, girder, shimming meet the minimum requirements of the code.

Skirting Removal, Repair or Replacement – If the scope of work requires you to alter the skirting, the permit holder is responsible for the additional requirement to schedule a Final Inspection to allow the department’s building inspectors to inspect the work for venting, subfloor access, and drainage.