San Antonio’s Casita Incentives page listed the program as application open on October 23, 2026. It describes forgivable loans for qualifying casitas, plus conditional design and fee support. A published maximum is not a guaranteed award or evidence that funding remains for a particular project.

Compare the two incentive levels

Level I offers up to US$25,000 as a five-year forgivable loan. The City lists an income test for either the renter household at or below 50% of area median income (AMI), or the property owner at or below 80% AMI. Level II lists up to US$35,000 with forgiveness over ten years; the renter threshold is at or below 30% AMI, or the owner threshold is at or below 50% AMI. Confirm which household route and documents apply before relying on a level.

The City also lists up to US$4,500 in design-fee reimbursement for an owner at or below 80% AMI who uses permit-ready plans. Approved applicants may qualify for City fee waivers. San Antonio Water System (SAWS) support depends on available funding; the City notes that a SAWS fee is unnecessary for most projects. Ask before adding any fee or utility amount to a budget.

San Antonio casita support has two income and term levels: Renter and owner income limits are alternatives listed by the City.

Verify the project and use conditions

The page describes the incentive for owner-occupied properties and excludes short-term rentals of fewer than 30 days. The casita still needs City planning, building, fire, utility, and occupancy approvals. Program approval does not itself issue those approvals.

Casita assistance has separate program and permit decisions: Program eligibility does not replace City development and occupancy approvals.

Confirm current intake, remaining funds, property eligibility, income calculation, forgiveness schedule, permit-ready-plan requirement, reimbursement documents, and any fee-waiver or SAWS route with the City. The program page does not establish an individual award or the amount available for a specific address.

For a cross-location view of program status, see the ADU grants and programs guide. For San Antonio’s separate land-use eligibility questions, see the San Antonio ADU eligibility guide.

Key points

  • The City page listed applications as open on October 23, 2026; verify current status and funds.
  • Level I and II have different caps, forgiveness periods, and alternative renter/owner income limits.
  • Design reimbursement, fee waivers, and SAWS support have separate conditions.
  • Confirm City approval and local permits independently before starting work.