Zoning, building permits and septic rules in New Braunfels, Texas

New Braunfels’s own rules

• Building permitRequired

  Building, structure, land, and listed trade-system work within New Braunfels city limits.

  • The listed trigger includes construction, enlargement, alteration, repair, moving, demolition, change of occupancy, and listed electrical, gas, mechanical, irrigation, or plumbing work.

  “The City of New Braunfels requires a permit any time a homeowner or general contractor intends to: Construct, enlarge, alter, repair, move, demolish, or change the occupancy of a building or structure or land; or To erect, install, enlarge, alter, repair, remove, convert, or replace any electrical, gas, mechanical, irrigation, or plumbing system.”

• Owner-builder exemptionConditional

  Construction work by an owner on a home within New Braunfels city limits.

  • The owner must own the home, it must be the owner's homestead, and it cannot be built or remodeled with the specific intention of selling it in the next twelve months.

  sale-intent period: < 12 months (The home may not be built or remodeled with the specific intention of sale during this period.)

  “Absolutely. You can perform any construction work on a home that you own, providing it is your homestead and you are not building or remodeling the home with the specific intention of selling it in the next twelve months.”

• Building code adoptedAdopted (with conditions)

  Construction within New Braunfels city limits.

  • The City lists 2021 ICC codes and the 2020 National Electrical Code.

  ICC code edition: 2021 (National Electrical Code is listed separately as 2020) · National Electrical Code edition: 2020

  “The City adopted and utilizes the ICC Code, 2021 Edition, and the 2020 Edition of the National Electrical Code (NEC).”

• InspectionsRequired

  Construction within New Braunfels city limits that requires construction inspections.

  • Inspectors review work for compliance with building, gas, electrical, mechanical, and plumbing codes.

  “We process building permit applications and conduct all inspections required for construction within the City limits. Inspectors review work for compliance with building, gas, electrical, mechanical, and plumbing codes to ensure basic construction standards for health and safety.”

• Local zoningPresent (with conditions)

  Land within New Braunfels city limits.

  • Zoning districts and regulations apply as established by the City.

  “The purpose of zoning land in the City of New Braunfels is to promote the health, safety, and general welfare of the public. Zoning districts and regulations are established to maintain land use compatibility, provide fire separation, prevent overcrowding of land, ensure adequate light and air, as well as guarantee sufficient transportation, utilities, parks and other public facilities to accommodate growth.”

• Zoning districtsPublished (with conditions)

  Land within New Braunfels city limits.

  • The City provides an interactive zoning map for address-specific current zoning.

  “Use this interactive map to search property addresses to find out their current zoning.”

• Manufactured homesLimited

  Placement of manufactured homes inside New Braunfels city limits.

  • Placement is allowed only in B-1, B-1A, and B-1B zoning districts according to the City bulletin.
  • Placement is subject to the City permit process.

  permitted zoning districts: B-1, B-1A, and B-1B

  “The City of New Braunfels Zoning Ordinance allows for the placement of Manufactured Homes in (3) zoning districts; B-1, B-1A, and B-1B.”

• Who permits septicLocal (with conditions)

  On-site septic systems inside New Braunfels city limits.

  • This applies where sewer service is not available.

  “Areas that do not have sewer service must utilize on-site septic systems, which are permitted by the Health Department in the city limits and by the appropriate county outside the city limits.”

• Off-grid sanitationLimited

  Properties inside New Braunfels city limits without sewer service.

  • Areas without sewer service must use on-site septic systems.
  • The City page states a minimum lot size for a septic system in city limits.

  minimum septic-system lot size: >= 0.5 acre (Inside city limits)

  “Areas that do not have sewer service must utilize on-site septic systems, which are permitted by the Health Department in the city limits and by the appropriate county outside the city limits. Minimum lot size for a septic system in the city limits is 1/2 acre.”

• Subdividing landRegulated (with conditions)

  Proposed subdivision plats inside New Braunfels city limits.

  • The proposed plat must be uploaded to ePlan; the listed drawing requirements include a PDF format and 18-by-24-inch page format.

  plat drawing page height: 18 inches · plat drawing page width: 24 inches

  “The proposed subdivision plat must be uploaded to the ePlan review site as follows: The plat drawing will be the only document uploaded to the “Plat Drawings” folder The page format must be 18 inches high by 24 inches wide The file type must be PDF”

• Building in a floodplainRequired

  Any development in a floodplain within New Braunfels city limits.

  • All new buildings in a Special Flood Hazard Area require an Elevation Certificate when required for the proposed development.

  “If you are proposing a development of any kind (constructing a new building, adding on to an existing building, clearing land, placing fill, grading land, mining, dredging, drilling, etc...) in a floodplain, you MUST submit this application for a Floodplain Development Permit to the Building Division.”

• Short-term rentalsLimited

  Short-term rental units within New Braunfels city limits.

  • Short-term rentals are not allowed in residential zoning districts or the floodway.
  • A special use permit is required in non-residential zoning districts except C-4, C-4A, and C-4B.
  • Annual life-safety inspections and monthly hotel-occupancy-tax payments are required.

  “Short-term rentals are not allowed in any residential zoning districts. A special use permit must be obtained in all non-residential zoning districts, excluding C-4, C-4A, and C-4B. Short-term rentals are not allowed in the floodway (not the floodplain.) Hotel occupancy taxes are required to be paid on a monthly basis. Annual life safety inspections are required from the Fire Marshal’s Office.”

• Permit feesPublished (with conditions)

  City building permits within New Braunfels city limits.

  • Fees vary and are based on the current fee ordinance.

  “View the currently adopted fee schedule to see descriptions of how review fees and permit fees are assessed.”

• Permit processPublished (with conditions)

  Residential, commercial, and engineering permits within New Braunfels city limits.

  • The City portal requires users to choose a permit type and upload project details; it supports applications, documents, status tracking, inspections, and payment.

  “The City of New Braunfels utilizes Cityworks as its online permitting software, which enables you to manage your construction and development projects online. You can use the permit portal from any device to: Apply for permits, such as residential, commercial, and engineering. Upload documents, such as plans, letters, and forms. Track the real-time status of your application. Schedule and view building inspections Pay fees securely online.”

Still unanswered

We looked and could not find an official answer yet. Silence is not permission; ask New Braunfels or Comal County directly.

• Certificate of occupancy — Occupancy of completed buildings within New Braunfels city limits.
• Minimum dwelling size — Single-family residential districts inside New Braunfels city limits.
• Minimum lot size — Main single-family residential zoning district inside New Braunfels city limits.
• Setbacks — Main single-family residential zoning district inside New Braunfels city limits.
• Lot coverage — Main single-family residential zoning district inside New Braunfels city limits.

Each answer was extracted from an official source and independently re-checked against that source by a second reviewer. That is an evidence check, not legal advice. Rules change; confirm with the authority before you buy or build.