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Building and Inspections
City Offices will be closed on Monday, September 4th in observance of Labor Day. Inspections will not be performed that day. Offices will reopen for regular business hours on Tuesday, September 5, 2023.
**** Customers that have an active permit issued in the old system should continue to call in inspections via the Inspection Request Phone Line at 210-659-0333, ext. 444 ****
The Building and Inspections division of the department is responsible for issuance of building permits, construction plan review and inspections to include occupancy inspections of new commercial buildings as well as existing commercial buildings. The Development Services Package provides a brief overview of permits and inspections required and contractor registration. Other permits or inspection may be required. Please contact the Development Services staff to ensure your project is properly permitted and inspected.
This department also enforces the requirement for contractor’s licenses relative to all phases of construction to include general contractor’s licenses, home improvement licenses, electrical contractor’s licenses and sign contractor’s licenses. Registration of plumbers, Irrigation contractors, mechanical contractor’s, fire alarm, fire sprinkler and fire suppression installers is also required.
Staff is available to assist you with all types of applications herein described and to offer you guidance in submitting plans for review and to provide you with information related to building codes and ordinances. You may access applications for contractor registration and permit applications at our Document Center. Go the the Document Center now.
Construction codes, state law and city ordinances have been adopted and apply to all phases of construction within the city. Codes establish the minimum requirements to safeguard the public health, safety and general welfare through structural strength, means of ingress and egress, stability, sanitation, adequate light and ventilation, energy conservation, and safety to life and property from fire and other hazards attributed to the built environment. They are provided as a tool to regulate and control the design, certification, construction, alteration, modification, repair, equipment use, occupancy, location, maintenance, removal and demolition of all buildings, structures and appurtenances thereto.
Current Building Codes Adopted By Universal City
International Residential Code, 2021 Revision with amendments
International Building Code, 2021 Revision with Appendices E, F and H with amendments
International Plumbing Code, 2021 Revision with Appendices B thru E with amendments
International Mechanical Code, 2021 Revision with amendments
International Fuel Gas Code, 2021 Revision with Appendices A thru D with amendments
International Fire Code, 2021 Revision with Appendices B, C and I with amendments
National Fire Protection Association Life Safety Code 101 (NFPA 101 2021)
International Energy Conservation Code, 2021 Revision with amendments
International Property Maintenance Code, 2021 Revision with Appendix A with amendments
International Swimming Pool and Spa Code, 2021 Revision
International Existing Building Code, 2021 Revision
National Electrical Code, 2020 Revision with Appendices A thru F with amendments
Amendments may be viewed and obtained by City Ordinance 370 clicking here.
Any permit application submitted after May 17, 2022 will be subject to the requirements of the above codes. Reinspection fees incurred for these permits during the period from May 17th to August 1st will be waived provided just cause is shown that the only reason for disapproval of the inspection is based on a change from the 2015 to 2021 code cycle. For additional questions or information, please contact the Building Official at buildinginspector@uctx.gov or 210-619-0724.
Inspections
The following list of inspections is designed primarily for new construction of residential and commercial buildings. However, many of the same inspections will apply to remodeling, renovations or additions to residential and commercial buildings. A specific list of inspections will be provided to you as they pertain to your particular construction project at the time of building permit issuance.
Foundation and Site Inspections:
Setbacks
Construction Loop/Temporary Meter Loop (Electrical)
Excavation, Forms and Reinforcing Steel
Soil Pipe In or Under Slab
Copper Pipe In or Under Slab
Underground Electric
Termite Treatment Certification
Rough Inspections:
Lead Test
Finish Wiring
Brick Lug/Lathe
Rough Plumbing
Heating and Air Conditioning
Water Line
Gas Service
Sewer Line
Top Out Plumbing
Rough Electric Wiring
Wind Brace
Framing
Poly Seal
Insulation
Final Inspections:
Plumbing
Heating and Air Conditioning
Electrical
Driveways, Sidewalks, Etc.
Building Certificate of Occupancy
Inspection Request Phone Line
**** Customers that have an active permit issued in the old system should continue to call in inspections via the Inspection Request Phone Line at 210-659-0333, ext. 444 ****210-659-0333, Extension 444 - 7 days a week/24 hours a day. Please note the following inspection request policy.
- The cutoff for requesting next-day inspections, Monday through Friday, is midnight the day prior.
- Note that inspection cancellation requests must be made on the inspection hotline by 7:00 am the day of the scheduled inspection.
- Note that the City may use a third-party building inspector. If a third-party building inspector is used, the City cannot guarantee AM or PM inspection times but will make an attempt to accommodate the request as a courtesy. Please advise your staff and your clients accordingly. All inspections are subject to the availability of a City Official or third-party inspector.
- Emergency Exceptions. Life, health, and safety inspections are the exceptions to the scheduling requirements above. (Loss of service, i.e. electrical, gas, mechanical or plumbing service). Emergency inspections or situations where inspections are required in order to restore lost or abandoned service will be given first priority at the discretion of the department.
Job address where inspection is to take place
Specific type of inspection needed
Permit Number
Contractor name and Number
Any special instructions for the inspector
Any questions regarding the information provided herein may be directed to the staff of the Development Services Department at 210-659-0333.