Planning Commission briefed on 2025 UDC amendments to reflect new Texas laws; effective date Sept. 1

On Aug. 13, 2025, Development Services staff briefed the San Antonio Planning Commission on a suite of Unified Development Code (UDC) amendments intended to implement changes passed by the 89th Texas Legislature. Staff said the amendments respond to several state bills and will be processed through the city’s standard UDC amendment procedure, with a zoning commission briefing and action scheduled for Sept. 2 and a city council hearing scheduled for Sept. 4. The statutes discussed take effect Sept. 1, 2025, staff said.

Development Services staff (presenter identified in the record as Logan) said the 2025 UDC amendment program is intended solely to align local code with state mandates from the legislative session. The presentation summarized multiple bills that would require changes to local practice and the code, including provisions that affect permitting, notice and signage, use regulations, allowable densities and utility requirements.

Key points presented by staff:

- County-owned facilities and third-party certification: Staff summarized House Bill 3234 (as presented) as exempting Bexar County from the city’s building-permit requirement for county-owned facilities; work on those facilities must still meet city building codes and must be certified by a licensed engineer or architect. Staff said the city’s long-standing interlocal agreements with Bexar County and involvement of the county fire marshal mean they do not anticipate a wholesale change to established processes, though the UDC applicability section will require…