The Woodlands Township Updates Permit Process for 2025

THE WOODLANDS, TX -- As part of its ongoing commitment to enhancing community standards and service efficiency, The Woodlands Township Covenant Administration Department (CAD) is updating its permitting process for various improvement projects. Beginning January 6, 2025, refundable compliance deposits will be replaced with permit fees for specific applications categorized as “enhanced services.”

What Community Members Need to Know

The updated program divides permit applications into two categories: base services and enhanced services.

• Base Services: These cover many common improvement projects and will remain free of charge. Examples include painting and paint color selections, driveway enhancements, roof replacements, siding updates, garage doors, landscaping projects, tree removal and exterior lighting installations. These projects are essential to maintaining the design integrity and architectural quality of homes throughout the community and are considered a benefit to all residents.
• Enhanced Services: Projects that require additional resources, such as committee approvals, third-party code inspections, variances from community standards, or involve commercial properties, will now incur fees. Examples include swimming pool installations, outdoor kitchens, covered patios and major structural modifications. These fees assist with ensuring the costs of enhanced services are shared directly with the community requesting the service.

The new fee structure was the result of thorough research into practices in comparable communities, ensuring it meets the unique needs of The Woodlands.

Why This Matters

These changes aim to streamline the permitting process and provide clarity to residents planning significant enhancements. While base services will remain a free community benefit, the introduction of fees for enhanced services ensures sufficient resources are allocated to maintain high standards of review and oversight. Application and approval processes still apply.

Community members are encouraged to familiarize themselves with Resolution No. 14-24, which outlines the details of this updated program. For additional information, please visit thewoodlandstownship-tx.gov/covenants or contact the Covenant Administration Department at 281-210-3800.