Frequently Asked Questions

1. How do I get a pothole repaired?
2. How do I get a dead animal removed?
3. How do I get a live animal removed?
4. What are the required procedures to have an on-site sewage facility installed and inspected?
5. City Public Service says I need an electrical release; how do I get one?
6. My neighbor has high weeds/junk cars/refuge on his property; what can I do?
7. I understand the County has foreclosed property for sale, how can I purchase this property?
8. I want to have a 4-way stop installed at an intersection, how do I request this?
9. Cars are disobeying the posted speed limits in my neighborhood, what can I do?
10. What are the specifications and procedures for installing a driveway?
11. How can I find out if my house is in the flood plain?
12. What County permits do I need to construct on my property?
13. What is my property zoned for?
14. What is the Federal Storm Water Fee?

1. how do I get a pothole repaired?

The Public Works Division of the Infrastructure Services Department is responsible for maintenance of all county-maintained streets and roads. This includes streets and roads that are:

• Outside the incorporated limits of any cities or towns in Bexar County
• Not maintained by the State of Texas (Federal and State highways, Farm to Market roads, and Interstate highways)
• Not privately owned (in gated communities or other roads not accepted for maintenance by Bexar County)

Call 210-335-6700 with a specific location and a work order will be generated.

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2. How do I get a dead animal removed?

As part of its maintenance responsibility, the Public Works Division of the Infrastructure Services Department will remove animals that have been killed on county-maintained rights of way. These include streets and roads and water-drainage facilities that are: 

• Outside the incorporated limits of any cities or towns in Bexar County
• Not maintained by the State of Texas (Federal and State highways, Farm to Market roads, and Interstate highways)
• Not privately owned (in gated communities or other roads not accepted for maintenance by Bexar County)

Deceased pets are the responsibility of the pet owner. Animals killed in county-maintained rights of way are normally removed the same day they are reported. Call 210-335-6700 to report the location of dead animals on the road. 

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3. How do I get a live animal removed?

Bexar County Animal Control will respond to calls on domestic animals (dogs and cats) that have bitten a person, domestic animals that are aggressive (pose a threat to human health and safety), and stray/nuisance domestic animals. Call 210-335-9000, Monday through Friday, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. On nights and weekends call 210-335-6000, option 1.

Animal pickups are addressed in the following priority:

1. Animal bite calls
2. Aggressive animals
3. Stray/nuisance animals

If you are looking for an animal picked up by Bexar County, Animals picked up by Bexar County are usually taken to the City of San Antonio Animal Care Services, which can be contacted by calling 210-207-6660 and be sure to mention the animal was picked up by Bexar County Animal Control.

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4. What are the required procedures to have an on-site sewage facility installed and inspected?

Prior to any construction commencing on the property, a Professional Engineer or Sanitarian must be retained by the applicant to design a private on-site sewage facility meeting the minimum requirements of the Bexar County Regulations for On-Site Sewage Facilities and State Regulations (Title 30 TAC Chapter 285). The design and application must be signed and sealed by an Engineer or Sanitarian before being accepted.

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5. City Public Service says I need an electrical release; how do I get one?

All residential and commercial applicants must first contact the City of San Antonio Planning Department, at 210-207-7900, or another incorporated city they fall under, to determine if the property to be developed is located within the jurisdiction of that city. Failure to contact City Planning will result in the unnecessary delay of extension of electrical service to the property. If the electrical service is for residential purposes an electrical release is obtained through the on-site sewage facility permitting process described in #3. After approval of the application, a temporary electrical meter release will be sent to CPS by Environmental Services for construction purposes only. No meters will be released for mobile homes until after the on-site sewage facility has been installed.

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6. My neighbor has high weeds/junk cars/refuge on his property; what can I do?

Call Environmental Services at 210-335-6700 and report the violation. An inspection will be scheduled and if the complaint is valid, a Notice of Violation will be sent to the owner by certified mail. Upon receipt, the property owner then has 30 days to abate the nuisance.

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7. I understand the County has foreclosed property for sale, how can I purchase this property?

Bexar County does have available what is called a Struck-Off List. It is a list of Tax Foreclosed properties that have been struck off to Bexar County and are now for sale. The list of available properties is free and can be obtained at the Public Works Office at 1948 Probandt. Instructions on how to obtain these properties are included with the list.

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8. I want to have a 4-way stop installed at an intersection, how do I request this?

As part of its maintenance responsibility, the Public Works Division of the Infrastructure Services Department is charged with maintaining all traffic control devices on County-maintained streets and roads. Besides installing new signs and repairing and replacing existing signs, the Traffic section is also responsible for assuring that the installation of any traffic-control device (like a 4-way stop at an intersection) is properly warranted. If you have a problem intersection in your area that you feel will be helped by the installation of a 4-way stop (or any other traffic control) the Traffic section will do a thorough study of the traffic conditions in the area of the problem and make recommendations. Call 210-335-6700 and ask to speak to a Traffic Analyst about your concerns.  

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9. Cars are disobeying the posted speed limits in my neighborhood, what can I do?

As part of its maintenance responsibility, the Public Works Division of the Infrastructure Services Department is charged with maintaining all traffic control devices on County-maintained streets and roads. This includes establishing speed limits on County roads. Enforcement of existing speed limits, however, is the responsibility of the Bexar County Sheriff´s Department. Citizens who are having problems with speeding should call the Patrol Section of the Sheriff´s Office at 210-335-5782, and report problem locations.

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10. What are the specifications and procedures for installing a driveway?

As part of its maintenance responsibility, the Public Works Division of the Infrastructure Services Department is charged with controlling all construction activities that take place in County-maintained rights of way. This includes driveways to access County roads. Those who wish to install a driveway must submit a driveway application along with a sketch or drawing detailing the work to be done in the right-of-way, and $35 for each driveway or entrance. Applications will be reviewed and if approved must be inspected and okayed by County construction inspectors. 

Applications and specifications may be picked up at the Infrastructure Services Department Offices: