San Antonio's ETJ is outside the city, with limited city powers

An ETJ is a band of county land just outside a city. San Antonio's can reach as far as five miles. The land is not in the city. Full city zoning, use rules, and building codes do not simply cross the line.

The city keeps some limited powers. It can review plats and some land deals. Bexar County may still handle septic, flood, fire, and covered building permits. The handoff depends on the tract and the project.

Texas law also gives some owners and residents a way to ask for release from an ETJ. Release is not automatic. Petition and election paths have their own due dates, needed records, and areas that may not qualify. Some land near a military base gets special treatment.

ETJ lines can move when city limits or release areas change. San Antonio's live map is a good start. Planning can then confirm the tract before land is split or money goes into a plan.