What should San Antonio homeowners know before hiring a roofer?

San Antonio is hail country. On April 12, 2016, a storm dropped hail up to 4.5 inches just north of downtown, with damage the National Weather Service estimated around $1.36 billion. The city issues re-roof permits over the counter when the roof pitch doesn't change, and registered Home Improvement Contractors can pull them for you. Texas has no state roofing license, so ask about city registration and check insurance yourself.

Key facts for San Antonio, TX

• On April 12, 2016, a storm produced a large swath of very large hail just north of downtown San Antonio, with multiple reports of 2- to 3-inch hail.
• The largest stone reported to NWS in the 2016 storm measured 4.5 inches and fell about 3 miles southeast of Helotes.
• NWS Austin/San Antonio estimated damage from the 2016 storm at around $1.36 billion.
• A 6.416-inch hailstone found near Hondo on April 28, 2021 set Texas's first official state hailstone record, verified by a committee convened through NOAA.
• San Antonio issues re-roof permits over the counter when the pitch doesn't change. A change in pitch requires full plan review.
• Registered Home Improvement Contractors may pull re-roof permits with no pitch change on a homeowner's behalf. Pitch changes fall to registered Residential Building Contractors.

How has hail hit San Antonio?

The National Weather Service office for Austin and San Antonio documented the April 12, 2016 storm in detail. An upper-level low and a stationary front fueled thunderstorms that moved into the San Antonio area late in the evening. The strongest one dropped a large swath of very large hail just north of downtown, across Bexar County.

There were multiple reports of 2- to 3-inch hail. The largest stone reported to the NWS measured 4.5 inches, about 3 miles southeast of Helotes. NWS estimated the damage around $1.36 billion.

Five years later, the same NWS office helped verify a 6.416-inch hailstone found near Hondo on April 28, 2021. A NOAA-convened committee made it Texas's first official state hailstone record.

What permit does a San Antonio re-roof need?

San Antonio's Development Services Department sorts residential re-roofs by whether the roof pitch changes. With no change in pitch, the permit is issued over the counter. A homeowner needs proof of ownership, and a Home Improvement Contractor needs a site plan.

If the pitch changes, the city requires full plan review. Only a registered Residential Building Contractor, or the homeowner, can pull that permit.

The city's two contractor categories are worth knowing. Home Improvement Contractors are registered, non-structural contractors who may pull certain permits for you. Residential Building Contractors are registered structural contractors who can pull all residential building permits. Ask any roofer which registration they hold.

What Texas rules apply to San Antonio roofers?

Texas does not license reroofing contractors, so city registration and the permit inspection are your main official checks. TDI says to verify a roofer's name, address, phone number and references, check insurance or bonding, and get at least three written bids.

Offering to waive or rebate a deductible is illegal in Texas. After big hailstorms, TDI also warns about contractors who go door to door, only take cash or want money before materials are on site.

How to choose a provider in San Antonio, TX

• Ask whether the roofer is registered with the city as a Home Improvement Contractor or Residential Building Contractor.
• If the roof pitch will change, expect full plan review and a structural contractor.
• Confirm who pulls the permit before any tear-off.
• Get insurance certificates and a local San Antonio address.
• Get at least three written bids for the same scope.
• Photograph hail damage from the ground before repairs start.
• Turn down any deductible waiver or rebate.
• Don't pay in full up front.

Nearby

• Austin
• All of Texas

Questions people ask

Do I need a permit for a new roof in San Antonio?

San Antonio's residential permit list includes re-roofs. With no change in pitch, the permit is issued over the counter. A pitch change requires full plan review.

Who can pull a re-roof permit in San Antonio?

Homeowners with proof of ownership can. Registered Home Improvement Contractors can pull re-roofs with no pitch change, and registered Residential Building Contractors handle re-roofs that change the pitch.

Does San Antonio license roofers?

Texas has no state roofing license. San Antonio registers residential contractors in categories such as Home Improvement Contractor and Residential Building Contractor, which determine which permits they can pull.

How big was the 2016 San Antonio hailstorm?

NWS reported multiple 2- to 3-inch hailstones and a largest stone of 4.5 inches southeast of Helotes. It estimated damage around $1.36 billion.

What is the largest hailstone ever found in Texas?

In 2021, a NOAA-convened committee certified a 6.416-inch stone found near Hondo on April 28, 2021 as the first official Texas record. Check NOAA for any later records.

Sources

• NWS Austin/San Antonio: San Antonio hail event summary, April 12, 2016
• NOAA State Climate Extremes Committee: Texas hailstone report, April 28, 2021
• City of San Antonio Development Services: Residential permits
• TDI: Making repairs after a storm (windstorm inspections)
• TDI: State law cracks down on roof scams
• TDI: Fraud resources for storm repairs
• Texas House bill analysis, C.S.H.B. 3344 (89th Legislature, 2025)

This guide was written by our editorial team from the public sources listed above. It is general information, not legal advice; confirm licensing and terms directly with any provider.