The Woodlands was built as an unincorporated master-planned community within Montgomery County and the extra-territorial jurisdiction of the City of Houston. This means that prior to 1999, the City of Houston had the ability to annex The Woodlands with a vote of the Houston City Council. Parts of The Woodlands were also built within the extra-territorial jurisdiction of the City of Conroe. In 1999, an agreement was signed that in essence put a moratorium on the ability for Houston to annex The Woodlands and on the ability for The Woodlands to incorporate.
In late 2007, The Woodlands Township signed an agreement with the City of Houston, as well as the City of Conroe, that will allow The Woodlands to contribute to projects of regional and mutual benefit (such as better access to the Houston Medical Center or extending the Hardy Toll Road) in exchange for those cities releasing The Woodlands from potential annexation for a period of 50 years. This agreement gives The Woodlands freedom to determine its future governance once the moratorium agreement expires. Based on legal requirements related to these agreements, the earliest date that an election could be held to determine whether or not The Woodlands residents choose to become a city was May 2014.
The Woodlands Township Board of Directors took action on Friday, August 13, 2021, to place Incorporation on the ballot for the election on November 2, 2021. Two propositions will appear on the November 2, 2021 ballot. Proposition A creates the City of The Woodlands and sets its maximum initial tax rate. Proposition B depends on Proposition A passing. Proposition B transfers the rights, responsibilities and authorities of the Township to the new City of The Woodlands, dissolving the Township. Registered voters in The Woodlands can vote "for" or "against" the propositions. For more information on The Woodlands Township election, visit www.thewoodlandstownship-tx.gov/NovemberElection.
Transition and Governance