If you own an older home in San Antonio and are thinking about tearing it down, the city has clarified and updated the rules—and the paperwork requirements are more involved than a standard demolition.
According to the updated demolition bulletin from the Development Services Department, any residential structure built on or before December 31, 1945 must be deconstructed—not simply bulldozed—by a city-certified contractor.
That covers up to eight-unit residential buildings and rear accessory structures like garages and carriage houses. Homes built through 1960 face the same requirement if they sit inside a historic district or a Neighborhood Conservation District. You can check whether your property qualifies using the city’s One Stop Map…