Longtime residents of the Greater Houston area have likely heard the term “unincorporated area” at some point, due in part to the fact that large portions of what is considered Houston is actually outside the city limits.

Moving outside Loop 610, the spaces in between downtown Houston and surrounding suburban communities, including The Woodlands and Spring, fall into county jurisdiction. This means basic services, such as water, sewer, police and road maintenance are handled at the county level by a court of local commissioners.

For example, a homeowner living in parts of unincorporated Harris or Montgomery counties would not pay city taxes, but he or she will likely pay money to an emergency services district, and/or a hospital district. Residents in The Woodlands also pay taxes to the township, which is a special-purpose district created by the Texas Legislature.

For the latest on city and county issues, be sure to read our City & County Notes on Page 27.