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Covenant Administration

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1. Where can I find specific information on Short-Term Rental requirements and procedures for The Woodlands?

Short term rentals have become popular in destination locations like The Woodlands.  Please visit Short-Term Rental Frequently Asked Questions for more information.

2. What are The Woodlands Covenants and Residential Standards?

The effective enforcement of The Woodlands Covenants and Residential Standards, which are also referred to as Deed Restrictions, is extremely important to the maintenance of property values in The Woodlands. These protective deed restrictions set the standards for property maintenance and apply the acceptable standards for physical changes made to properties.

3. Do I need a permit to remove a tree?

You will need to submit an application to remove any live tree six inches in diameter or larger. Follow the submission instructions on the Residential Application Forms page.

4. Do I need a permit to repaint my home?

Yes, ALL house repainting requires a permit. You must fill out and submit a Home Improvement-Color application.  For a complete list of applications and submission instructions, please visit the Residential Application Forms page.

5. Why don't the standards regulate barking dogs or vehicles parking on the street?

The Residential Standards cover limited topics within the jurisdiction of the Covenants. Many other annoyances or unsafe activities are within the jurisdiction of the County or other governmental agencies.

6. Do we have a leash law in The Woodlands?

The Woodlands is not an incorporated city so it cannot pass laws or ordinances of its own. Fortunately, Montgomery County has passed an ordinance that requires animals to be vaccinated and leashed, etc. The ordinance is enforced through the Montgomery County Health Department Animal Control Division. Their phone number is 281-364-4200. If a dog or cat is running loose or becoming a nuisance in the neighborhood they will provide you with specific information regarding their services. The Woodlands deed restrictions address certain aspects of pet ownership, as well. Phone for a Standards booklet at 281-210-3973.

7. What about a "pooper scooper" law?

No, neither the County Animal Control Ordinance nor The Woodlands Covenants require that an owner clean up pets. Common sense and courtesy do, though, and most of the residents of The Woodlands are very considerate of their neighbors and make an effort to clean up the deposits that their pets leave behind.

8. Are there special rules about trash can storage and placement?

Yes, The Woodlands Covenants say that trash cans must be stored out of sight of the street and surrounding properties. All trash, refuse or recycling containers may be placed near the street edge no earlier than one day prior to regularly scheduled waste collection. Emptied containers must be removed from the street, front yard or driveway by the end of the collection day.

9. My backyard gets water from both of the yards behind mine. Is that unusual?

No, not really. In The Woodlands, the developer has deliberately designed around the existing natural drainage patterns as much as possible, to preserve the native trees and shrubs. That means that lot-to-lot drainage may occur, and when it does, the best thing to do is make the most of it by planting or maintaining plants that thrive in that condition. A guide to natural landscaping is available by calling 281-210-3973.

If you feel adversely impacted by a particular situation, the best thing to do is contact your neighbors directly. Texas law requires that the owners of land ensure that the placement of any improvement or landscaping does not halt or impede the flow of water or redirect it or increase the amount of water flowing off of or onto neighboring land. Enforcement of this requirement is by the neighboring landowners.

10. Are utility buildings allowed in The Woodlands?

Yes, utility or storage buildings can be approved under certain circumstances that are designed to minimize the potential impact of the building on neighboring lots. The Woodlands Residential Standards limit the buildings in area, height, location, and materials. For specific information, please call 281-210-3973.

11. Is my fence approved? My contractor was going to turn in the paperwork for me but I never heard from anyone to tell me if my fence is okay or not.

If you or your contractor have submitted an application, you will receive written approval back in the mail immediately after it is reviewed and approved. The Woodlands Residential Standards are designed to make compliance easy. Some types of improvements are pre-approved under the Standards, some require only a speedy "One-Step" review, and some more complicated projects require the full review of the Residential Design Review Committee for your village. If a written application is required, a written response should generally come your way within a week or 10 days of the application having been submitted. If you haven't heard within that time, give us a call at 281-210-3973 so that we can confirm that the application has been properly received.

12. I can't believe my neighbors installed a play fort next door. That would never have been allowed in my old subdivision.

The Woodlands Residential Standards are the result of hours and hours of hard work by your elected representatives and other professionals trained in architecture, construction and design. They try to strike a balance between the needs of the individual families, the neighbors, and the neighborhood as a whole, and while they meet most residents' expectations, they may be different than the restrictions you left behind. Check out Section 2.9 of the Standards regarding play structures and give us a call if you see something that you have questions about. If the improvement you see has been approved and does meet the Standards but it does not meet your expectations, your comments will be passed along to your elected representatives and will be taken into consideration the next time the Standards are revised. For a copy of the Standards, call 281-210-3973.

13. My daughter is living at the dorm for her first year in college. I need to park her car on the driveway until she comes home in June. Is that allowed?

Yes open storage of one unused car, van or pick-up truck is permitted if the vehicle is not disabled.

14. Can I occasionally bring my camper to my home?

Recreational vehicles cannot be stored on any lot, but they can be brought home for loading and clean-up as long as they are not parked there for more than 48 hours.

15. Can I have a garage sale?

No, home garage sales are not allowed. Instead, the village associations sponsor a twice-a-year community-wide flea market to help us dispose of our leftover goods. Look for more information on this site and in The Woodlands Community Magazine

16. I don't usually see many signs around. Are there special rules regarding them?

Yes. One of the things that The Woodlands residents consistently say they value most is the sense of "green" that they feel as soon as they drive home off the freeway after work. Regulating signs helps to preserve that special effect. Check The Woodlands Residential Standards and The Woodlands Commercial Standards for more specifics.

17. Can I install outdoor lighting?

As with the other Standards, the lighting standard allows for specific lights for specific purposes, under conditions that are designed to impact others as little as possible. The main complaints The Woodlands Township gets concern lights that are appropriate in their design, but that are located or directed so that they shine onto someone else's property or shine into a bedroom window at night. If you want lights, check out Section 2.8 of The Woodlands Residential Standards for specifics and keep your neighbor in mind.

18. The house down the street appears to be vacant and the lawn is getting awfully long. What can be done?

Our deed restrictions require that properties be kept in good order and repair. That includes yard maintenance. If a yard is becoming overgrown, it may mean that the residents have moved out and the new owners were delayed in moving in, or that a lawnmower has broken, and so on. It may also simply be a matter of individual style. In fact, The Woodlands philosophy even encourages "natural yards" with less grass and more forest. Whatever the reason, if the situation is not temporary and once a deed restriction violation has been established, notices are sent to the owner, and if there is not compliance, the Board of Directors can authorize litigation to cure the violation.

19. Can somebody run a business out of their home?

The restrictions that govern our homes require that the homes be used for single family residential purposes, and while The Woodlands Residential Standards allow for home businesses, they do so under very limited circumstances that are designed to protect the residential character of the neighborhood. Because the Standards limit signs, advertising with the home address, the area in the home that can be used for business purposes, and otherwise assure that the business is "invisible," the neighborhoods have maintained their value.

20. How many and what types of pets am I permitted to have on my lot and/or in my household?

The Township Covenants (See Section 10.03) provide that “no animals, except customary household pets, shall be kept or maintained on any Lot” and that “no animal shall be allowed or permitted on any portion of the Property except the Lot of its owner unless same shall be under the control of the owner or another person by leash, rope, chain or other restraining device”. The Residential Standards (see Section 3.3.A.) go on to provide that “no more than three customary household pets may be placed or kept outside of the home. Pets should not be allowed to run at large. Pets should be confined to the owner’s lot or controlled by a restraint device”. To the extent any structure is desired to be constructed related to the occupancy or restraint of any customary household pet, the Covenants require that the “placement, construction, alteration or repair of any temporary or permanent structure or improvement on a lot with an existing single-family dwelling must have the prior written approval of the Residential Design Review Committee or their designated staff.” Note the specific standards associated with construction of Dog Houses and Dog Runs (see Section 2.4 of the Standards). What defines a customary household pet is the determination of the Development Standards Committee (DSC) and designated staff utilizing what is customary for the area at the time of consideration, taking into account the totality of the circumstances including current customs and potential noise, odors and/or overall impact on the neighborhood.

21. How can I be a part of the group that makes decisions about residents' home improvements?

We know that our community is only beautiful because of the people who live here and care about their homes and neighborhoods. Committee members are elected yearly in the community association elections. Look for information about running for office on this Web site and in the community magazine early in December. The committee members perform a valuable service for the community and they are always looking for others to join them in their work.