Reliable Site Prep Support in San Antonio, TX

San Antonio's Unified Development Code sets clear grading and drainage standards for any land disturbance project in the city and its extraterritorial jurisdiction. From the first cut to final grade, your site work must meet these requirements — protecting downstream properties and the broader stormwater system. O'Leary Development Group knows these standards and builds compliance into every project scope from day one.

If your project falls within the Edwards Aquifer Recharge Zone, you face additional obligations. A Water Pollution Abatement Plan must be submitted to and approved by TCEQ before any regulated activity begins on the recharge zone. Our team coordinates site prep activities with these environmental requirements so your project moves forward without costly compliance delays.

San Antonio's Tree Preservation Ordinance adds another layer of planning for sites with significant or heritage trees. Any tree six inches in diameter or larger on non-single-family residential properties requires a permit before removal. Heritage trees carry additional protection and mitigation requirements. We factor these rules into every grading plan so you are not caught off guard once ground is broken.

Below grade, Bexar County's Houston Black clay soils present real challenges. These high-plasticity soils have significant shrink-swell potential — they shift with changes in moisture and can undermine a finished grade if not handled correctly. Our crew selects appropriate fill materials and compaction methods suited to local soil conditions, reducing settlement risk after construction wraps up.

San Antonio's Stormwater Management Criteria Manual requires that peak runoff rates from a developed site do not exceed what that same area produced before development. Proper site prep from the start is the most practical way to satisfy that requirement and protect neighboring properties from drainage issues down the road.

O'Leary Development Group is a licensed and insured contractor based in San Antonio. We work in the field every day across South-Central Texas, which means we understand what local projects actually require — from UDC grading standards to the specifics of working in or near the Edwards Aquifer Recharge Zone.

Water Pollution Abatement Plan requirements apply to many development sites in this region, and missing a step early can halt a project entirely. We keep those obligations front of mind during site prep planning so your schedule stays on track and your site stays in good standing with TCEQ.

Tree preservation rules catch many property owners off guard. Because San Antonio requires permits for trees six inches in diameter or larger on most property types — with stricter rules for heritage trees — we review these factors before any clearing begins. That means fewer surprises and a grading plan the City of San Antonio Development Services Department can approve without back-and-forth.

Houston Black clay soils are common throughout Bexar County, and they demand a different approach than sandy or loam-based soils. Their high shrink-swell potential means fill selection and compaction technique matter. We apply methods suited to these local conditions so the grade holds after the project is complete.

Every grading and leveling job we perform is guided by San Antonio's Stormwater Management Criteria Manual. Keeping post-development runoff at or below pre-development levels is not just a code requirement — it is good practice that protects your neighbors and your investment. We serve San Antonio, Cibolo, Schertz, Universal City, New Braunfels, Seguin, Converse, Live Oak, Helotes, Leon Valley, Castle Hills, Alamo Heights, Shavano Park, and surrounding communities. Call us for a free estimate.