Structured Cabling Permit Requirements in Bexar County, Texas

Quick Answer: Structured cabling in Bexar County is exempt from state electrician licensing under Texas law. Permit requirements vary by location—San Antonio has specific electrical permit processes through BuildSA, while unincorporated Bexar County primarily requires permits for commercial projects through the Fire Marshal's Office. Residential low voltage work in unincorporated areas often does not require permits.

Understanding Bexar County Jurisdiction

Bexar County includes San Antonio and surrounding communities. Permit requirements differ significantly based on location:

• City of San Antonio – Permits through Development Services / BuildSA
• Unincorporated Bexar County – Limited residential oversight, commercial permits through Fire Marshal
• Other municipalities – Contact local building department

Always verify which jurisdiction applies to your project location before starting work.

Texas State Exemptions for Structured Cabling

The Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation (TDLR) provides significant exemptions for low voltage work. Under the Texas Electrical Safety and Licensing Act (Section 1305.003), the following are NOT subject to electrician licensing requirements:

• Class 1, Class 2, or Class 3 remote control circuits
• Signaling or power-limited circuits
• Fire alarm circuits
• Optical fiber cables
• Communications circuits, including raceways
• Equipment provided by cable operators or telecommunications providers

This means structured cabling installers—working on Cat5e, Cat6, Cat6a, fiber optic, and other data cables—are not required to hold a state electrician license in Texas.

Important: Municipal regulations can override state exemptions. Cities like San Antonio may require permits for work that is exempt at the state level.

For complete details on Texas licensing, see our Texas Low Voltage License Guide.

Unincorporated Bexar County Requirements

The Bexar County Fire Marshal's Office handles building permits for unincorporated areas.

Residential Construction

Bexar County has limited authority over residential construction in unincorporated areas:

• County does not have legal authority to regulate most residential construction
• Residential construction inspections are not typically conducted
• No residential Certificate of Occupancy is issued for most homes
• Voluntary permits may be obtained for documentation purposes

This means most residential structured cabling projects in unincorporated Bexar County do not require permits, though following NEC standards is still recommended.

Commercial Construction

Building permits ARE required in unincorporated Bexar County for:

• New commercial buildings
• Public accessible structures
• Multi-family residential buildings
• Pre-built buildings placed on property
• Substantial improvements to existing buildings

Required Inspections

Commercial projects require these inspections at minimum:

1. Structural frame inspection
2. Electrical rough-in inspection
3. HVAC rough-in inspection
4. Final inspection for Certificate of Occupancy

Low voltage cabling may be inspected as part of the electrical rough-in phase.

Contact Information

Bexar County Fire Marshal's Office
9810 Southton Road
San Antonio, TX 78223
Phone: (210) 335-0300

City of San Antonio Requirements

San Antonio has more comprehensive permit requirements for electrical work, including low voltage systems in some cases.

Electrical Permit Application

The City of San Antonio Development Services handles electrical permits. Apply online through the BuildSA Portal.

When Permits May Be Required

• Commercial tenant improvement projects
• Large-scale data center installations
• Work involving fire-rated wall penetrations
• New construction (covered under building permit)
• Projects requiring inspection for compliance verification

When Permits May Not Be Required

• Minor residential cable runs in existing construction
• Simple network drops without structural changes
• Repair or replacement of existing cables
• Work in accessible spaces without fire barrier penetration

How to Apply

1. Visit the BuildSA Portal online
2. Create account or log in
3. Complete electrical permit application
4. Upload required documentation
5. Pay applicable fees
6. Schedule inspection when work is complete

The City enforces City, State, and Federal zoning and development ordinances. Verify any covenants and deed restrictions (CC&Rs) that may apply to your project.

Residential vs. Commercial Projects

Residential Structured Cabling

Most residential structured cabling in Bexar County does not require permits if:

• Work is limited to low voltage (under 50V)
• No penetration of fire-rated assemblies
• No modification to electrical panels or power circuits
• Cables are installed in existing pathways or accessible spaces

Common residential projects include:

• Ethernet drops for home offices
• Whole-home networking infrastructure
• Home theater and audio/video cabling
• Security camera pre-wire
• Smart home system wiring

Commercial Structured Cabling

Commercial projects have stricter requirements:

• Tenant improvement projects in San Antonio usually require permits
• Data center buildouts need detailed plan review
• Healthcare and education facilities have additional code requirements
• Work in plenums requires plenum-rated cable (CMP)
• Fire barrier penetrations require proper firestopping

Code Compliance Considerations

Even when permits are not required, professional installations should follow NEC Article 800 standards:

Cable Installation

• Proper cable support and securing
• Separation from power conductors
• Plenum-rated cable (CMP) in air handling spaces
• Riser-rated cable (CMR) for vertical runs between floors
• Proper bend radius maintained

Fire Protection

• Firestopping required for fire-rated penetrations
• Proper sleeve or conduit through firewalls
• Documentation of firestop materials and methods

Grounding and Bonding

• Communications systems must be properly grounded per NEC Article 800.100
• Intersystem bonding termination for new construction
• Bonding of cable shields and racks in commercial installations

Fees and Timeline

Item	San Antonio	Unincorporated Bexar County
Residential permit	Often not required	Not required (no authority)
Commercial permit	Varies by scope	Through Fire Marshal
Plan review	5-10 business days	By appointment
Inspection scheduling	24-48 hours	By appointment

Pro Tips from the Field

Experienced structured cabling contractors in Bexar County recommend:

• Verify jurisdiction – San Antonio vs. unincorporated Bexar County have very different requirements
• Use BuildSA for San Antonio – Online portal streamlines the permit process
• Document fire penetrations – Even if not inspected, proper firestopping protects you legally
• Know your plenum spaces – Wrong cable type in air handling spaces is a code violation
• Label professionally – TIA-606 labeling demonstrates quality workmanship
• Test and certify – Provide test results, especially for commercial warranty compliance
• Follow NEC regardless – Even without permits, code compliance protects everyone

Stay Ahead of Permit Activity

Want to know when structured cabling projects hit permits in Bexar County before they reach bid boards?

LVN Signal monitors permit activity across Texas and alerts you to opportunities the moment they are filed.

→ Explore LVN Signal

Related Permit Guides

• Houston, Texas Structured Cabling Permits
• Dallas, Texas Structured Cabling Permits
• Dallas County, Texas Structured Cabling Permits
• Tarrant County, Texas Structured Cabling Permits
• Texas Low Voltage License Requirements

Last updated: January 2026. Permit requirements change frequently. Always verify current requirements with the local building department before starting work.