Mandates ensure development follows concepts

All residential and commercial properties within The Woodlands are protected by rules that define what is allowed and what is not. The rules, called covenants, were established by The Woodlands Community Association, The Woodlands Association and The Woodlands Commercial Owners Association as the community developed over the years.

"The purpose of the covenants is to maintain the property value of all homes in The Woodlands," said Hennie Van Rensburg, director of covenant administration for The Woodlands Township. "The covenants also help to maintain the integrity of the homes."

The covenants, for example, dictate colors and styles of fences on home and commercial properties, as well as the style and color of buildings. Van Rensburg said the covenants ensure neighbors are not negatively effected by improvements and changes homeowners make to their homes.

"When people make modifications or additions to their homes, what the covenants do is ensure that what [the homeowners] are doing does not create a negative impact on neighboring properties," he said.

The covenants are enforced by three entities: the Development Standards Committee and Design Review Committee for residential properties and the Commercial Standards Committee for commercial properties.

Van Rensburg said that, in addition, each village has a Residential Design Review Committee that reviews the application for improvements within their respective villages. Any improvements or changes not permitted by the covenants must be appealed to the Development Standards Committee.

Should a property owner be in violation of any of the covenants, they are contacted via letter by the township's covenant administration department.

"We can drive by a house and see if a fence is going up, and if we didn't see an application for it, we'll go out and take photos and we send them a notice," Van Rensburg said.

The established covenants define restrictions on appearance and use of lots, landscape restrictions, the keeping of animals on Woodlands properties, sign placement and usage, temporary building restrictions, disposing of trash and placement of pipelines.

In addition, The Woodlands covenants restrict the sale and use of fireworks or firearms on township property.

However, fireworks shows that are put on by The Woodlands Convention and Visitors Bureau are given special permission by the township.