Notice
Registration ID, issue date, case manager, deadline
SAN ANTONIO VACANT BUILDING REGISTRATION
A notice is not a plan. Build the file.
Map the 90-day clock, test the right City pathway, assemble every attachment, and write a six-month action plan that can be measured.
No address collectedPrivate browser toolsOfficial sources reviewed Aug. 2026
Calendar notice & renewalsSecure access & trespass fileRegister packet & fee pathExecute measurable action plan
The registration file
Seven workstreams. One accountable record.
Keep the notice, registration submission, maintenance evidence, and rehabilitation history together.
Ownership
Legal owner, contacts, local manager when required
Access control
SAPD authorization, placards, keys and responders
Building map
Floor plan, openings, hazards, utility status
Coverage
Insurance or bond when applicable; security if required
Standard of care
Roof, walls, drainage, openings, grounds, structure
Action plan
Violations, maintenance, rehabilitation, future use
Registration does not replace maintenance. The City separately identifies failure to maintain the vacant property to its standard of care as a violation.
Field tool 01 / deadline map
Put the notice date on a real calendar.
The City says registration is required within 90 days after it issues a Notice to Register. Annual renewal paperwork and fees are due January 31; the plan of action must be updated every six months.
Enter the exact notice date. Then confirm every computed date with the case manager—the notice and City instructions control.
Field tool 02 / pathway screen
Screen for exemption, extension, or fee-waiver questions.
This prepares a conversation; only the City determines the result.
Conversation mapPrepare the registration packet
Current FY2026 published registration fee: $400 for a single-family building, plus the published inspection fee.
- Published registration fee
- $400
- Inspection fee
- $50 + size add-on
- Late registration fee
- $150
Field tool 03 / registration packet
Build the packet before opening the portal.
Do not enter addresses, case numbers, or personal information here.
0/7packet items ready
Field tool 04 / six-month plan
Write a plan that a case manager can test.
The City says the plan should cover correction timing, maintenance while vacant, rehabilitation, and proposed future use. Specific dates, responsible people, and evidence make it operational.
PLAN-OF-ACTION OUTLINE
- Correct: Not inventoried yet. Attach an itemized list, responsible party, target date, and completion proof.
- Maintain: Weekly exterior check. Log each visit, condition, photo, repair, and contact.
- Rehabilitate: Scope and bids pending. Identify scope, bids, permits, financing, milestones, and blockers.
- Future use: Undecided. State the intended outcome, decision date, and next irreversible step.
Update at least every six months and whenever material facts change; confirm City requirements.
FIELD INSPECTION ROUTINE
Inspect the envelope, not just the front door.
Use the City’s published categories as a recurring condition log. Photograph the same angles and date every entry.
01Address and program placard02Exterior walls and decorative features03Roof, gutters, and drainage04Windows, skylights, doors, and hatches05Porches, decks, stairs, rails, and guards06Chimneys, towers, overhangs, and awnings07Grounds, dumping, weeds, fences, and access08New damage, intrusion, fire, water, or utility hazards
OFFICIAL PROGRAM DESK
Use the current notice, portal, and case manager.
This site is independent and not affiliated with the City of San Antonio, SAPD, DSD, Code Enforcement, courts, or insurers. Program requirements and fees can change.
Register a Vacant BuildingOfficial requirements, portal, documents, plan, FY2026 fees, waivers, exemptions, and contact.Maintenance StandardsOfficial vacant-property condition categories, insurance rules, violations, and penalties.Resources for OwnersCity-curated heirs-property, legal, housing, and owner-support resources.Vacant Building Registration FormOfficial printable checklist and registration form; compare its date and fee table with the live page.
Owner questions
Know what the program asks—and what it does not decide.
What triggers registration?
The City says registration is required within 90 days when it issues the owner a Notice to Register Vacant Building. Use the Registration ID in the notice for online registration.
What if the building is not vacant?
Contact the case manager named in the notice and provide evidence of lawful activity, such as a current lease. Request written confirmation of the case outcome.
Does every vacant single-family home have to register?
The City says a single-family residential building that meets its standard of care is exempt. Do not self-certify; ask the case manager what inspection or evidence is needed.
Can the 90-day period be extended?
The City says the registration requirement may be extended for property listed for sale or lease at fair market value. Ask for the exact criteria, documents, and written approval.
When is a local manager required?
If the owner does not reside in Bexar County, the City requires a local property manager who conducts business in Bexar County and acts as the absentee owner’s agent.
What goes into the Plan of Action?
The City identifies four subjects: a timeline for correcting violations, maintenance while vacant, a rehabilitation plan, and the proposed future use. It says the plan must be updated every six months.
What are the current fees?
The City’s FY2026 page lists $400 registration for single-family buildings and $900 for other buildings, plus a $50 inspection fee and $0.01 per square foot over 5,000. A $150 late-registration fee is listed after 90 days. Verify before payment.
What can happen if I do not register or maintain it?
The City identifies failure to register within 90 days and failure to meet the standard of care as violations. Its page describes Class C misdemeanor exposure up to $500 per day plus possible administrative, civil, and criminal remedies.