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Office of Historic Preservation briefs Building Standards Board on expanded deconstruction ordinance
Summary
The Office of Historic Preservation updated the San Antonio Building Standards Board on a three‑phase deconstruction ordinance that reached a new, citywide phase in January covering older residential structures; staff said the change does not alter the board’s enforcement role.
Stephanie Phillips, senior manager for deconstruction and circular economy at the San Antonio Office of Historic Preservation, briefed the Building Standards Board on changes to the city’s deconstruction ordinance at the Board’s Feb. 13 meeting.
“The deconstruction ordinance was adopted by City Council in September of 2022,” Phillips told the board. She said the ordinance recently expanded into its “third and final phase,” which took effect in January and applies to certain residential structures built in earlier years. Phillips summarized the phase rules: if a property is in a local historic district, neighborhood conservation district or locally landmarked and built in 1945 or earlier (or 1960 or earlier in a historic area), deconstruction is required; citywide, structures built in 1945 or earlier also require deconstruction.
Phillips said the Office of Historic Preservation administers the ordinance in collaboration with Development Services and other departments “after your decision is made,” and she told the board the ordinance “shouldn't affect any of the business that you do.” She offered to answer questions from board members about the ordinance’s scope and implementation.
Board members raised no substantive questions at the meeting. The presentation followed standard public‑hearing reminders about translation services, appeal rights and permit requirements provided earlier in the session by Development Services staff.
The briefing gives the Office of Historic Preservation responsibility for deconstruction reviews and coordination when the board orders demolition of qualifying older residential buildings; Development Services will continue to carry out enforcement actions ordered by the board.
