Pop. 118,000 · Montgomery County
The Woodlands Township is a special-purpose district and cannot adopt municipal ordinances or fines, so STR occupancy is enforced through Covenant Administration approval, the Maintenance and Use Agreement, the Residential Development Standards, and village-level deed restrictions. All renters must be at least 21 years old, and operators must manage occupancy and parking to avoid nuisance.
The Woodlands Township requires every short-term rental operator to submit a certificate of insurance with the Maintenance and Use Agreement application and to maintain appropriate property and liability coverage during the one-year approval term. The Township does not publish a fixed minimum dollar amount; coverage adequacy is reviewed by Covenant Administration along with the $500 compliance deposit.
The Woodlands Township requires Residential Design Review Committee approval before any swimming pool is placed on a lot, and the Residential Development Standards mandate International Residential Code-compliant security barrier fencing for any pool, hot tub, spa, or pond. Texas Health and Safety Code Chapter 757 separately requires a 48-inch enclosure with self-closing, self-latching gates around any pool yard.
Pool construction in The Woodlands requires both Montgomery County building permits and prior written RDRC approval from The Woodlands Township Covenant Administration. A refundable compliance deposit is required for pools.
Pool security barriers in The Woodlands must comply with the International Residential Code. Texas Health and Safety Code §757 requires 48-inch minimum barriers with self-latching gates. RDRC approval required for pool barrier design.
Pool safety in The Woodlands is governed by the IRC (adopted through covenants), TX HSC §757, and Montgomery County building codes. Drain safety, electrical bonding, and barrier maintenance are required.
Hot tubs/spas in Texas require NEC 240V GFCI electrical permit in municipalities. Locking safety cover (ASTM F1346) can satisfy TX H&S §757 barrier rule. Conroe requires electrical permit; county has no authority.
Amplified music in The Woodlands is governed by Texas state disorderly conduct law, not Township covenants. Noise that disturbs the community may be reported to the Montgomery County Sheriff.
The Woodlands Township acknowledges barking dogs cannot be regulated through its Restrictive Covenants. Animal control and noise enforcement fall under Montgomery County Sheriff and Montgomery County Animal Services.
The Woodlands Township cannot enact noise ordinances — noise complaints are handled under Montgomery County jurisdiction (TX Penal Code §42.01) and by county law enforcement. The Township's covenants address generators but not general quiet hours.
Construction hour restrictions in The Woodlands fall under Montgomery County jurisdiction, not Township covenants. No specific construction hours are mandated, but complaints go to the county sheriff or county offices.
No leaf blower restrictions exist in The Woodlands Township. As an unincorporated area, noise from leaf blowers is subject only to Texas state disorderly conduct law if unreasonable.
Aircraft noise in flight is regulated exclusively by the FAA under federal law (49 U.S.C. 40103, 14 CFR Part 36, 91, 150). Texas cities and counties cannot impose noise limits on aircraft operations, though they may regulate ground-based airport activities through Texas Transportation Code Chapter 22.
Outdoor burning in The Woodlands is prohibited under Montgomery County rules and the state's burn ban system. Montgomery County prohibits trash burning on less than 5 acres or within 300 feet of a subdivision.
Brush clearance in The Woodlands is managed through the Township's tree and vegetation permits. Residents may trim up to 3 feet into adjacent Township reserves. All significant vegetation removal requires approval.
Fire pits and outdoor recreational fires are effectively prohibited in The Woodlands due to state law restrictions on burning within 300 feet of platted subdivisions and frequent county burn bans.
The Woodlands Township Restrictive Covenants strictly prohibit the sale and use of fireworks on any property within The Woodlands. Fireworks are explicitly banned at all times.
Montgomery County sits in the Piney Woods with high wildfire risk, especially during drought. The county does not designate formal wildfire hazard zones but uses Local Gov Code Sec. 352.051 burn bans and Texas A&M Forest Service Firewise guidance. Conroe and The Woodlands encourage defensible space voluntarily; no mandatory clearance ordinance exists countywide.
Parking on lawns, ditches, open space areas, or unpaved surfaces is expressly prohibited by The Woodlands Restrictive Covenants. Vehicles must be parked on approved paved driveways or in enclosed garages.
The Woodlands Township covenants note that parking on neighborhood streets cannot currently be regulated through Restrictive Covenants. Street parking enforcement falls under Montgomery County jurisdiction.
The Woodlands Restrictive Covenants prohibit RVs, trailers, boats, and mobile homes from being parked for 48+ consecutive hours on streets or where visible from a street or adjacent property.
The Woodlands Restrictive Covenants prohibit storage of semi-trucks, farm tractors, and similar commercial vehicles on lots or streets where visible. No time-limited exception exists for heavy commercial equipment.
Conroe prohibits overnight street parking 2-6 AM under Code Ch. 74. Montgomery County has no authority to regulate unincorporated street parking beyond safety. The Woodlands pathways and private streets enforce 2-hour rule overnight.
Montgomery County removes abandoned vehicles from public roads under TX Transportation Code Ch. 683 after 48 hours. Conroe Code Ch. 78 Art. III and The Woodlands Township covenants require inoperable vehicles to be screened on private property.
Conroe requires electrical permits for Level 2 EV chargers. Texas Property Code §202.019 bars HOAs from prohibiting EV charging in Montgomery County. Unincorporated installs still need TDLR-licensed electrician. No EV-ready building mandate statewide.
All fence construction, replacement, or modification in The Woodlands requires prior written approval from the RDRC or Covenant Administration staff. Applications are submitted through the Township's permit process. Fence replacement is a base (free) service as of 2025.
The Woodlands Restrictive Covenants allow fences up to 8 feet with RDRC approval. Criteria for specific neighborhoods may set 6-foot limits. Where the Standards and Criteria conflict on height, the Standards (8 ft) prevail.
The Woodlands covenants specify that the smooth (finished) side of fences must face outward toward all adjacent streets and neighboring properties. Boundary fence disputes between neighbors are governed by Texas common law.
Montgomery County cannot require permits for retaining walls in unincorporated areas (no zoning authority). Conroe requires permits under IBC for walls over 4 feet. Lake Conroe waterfront walls need SJRA and USACE approval.
Montgomery County pools must meet TX Health & Safety Code Ch. 757 barrier rules: 48-inch fence, self-closing/self-latching gates, openings under 4 inches. Conroe enforces ISPSC 2021 via Code Ch. 18. State law overrides HOA restrictions.
Montgomery County has no authority to regulate fence materials in unincorporated areas. Conroe city code and HOA covenants in The Woodlands, Bentwater, and Walden on Lake Conroe govern materials. TX HB 2439 preempts city material bans.
The Woodlands covenants require proper maintenance of landscaping including lawns. At least 40% of front yard landscaped area must be trees, shrubs, flowers, or plants. Neglected lawns may trigger compliance notices.
Tree trimming in The Woodlands requires RDRC approval for trees over 6 inches in diameter. Residents may trim up to 3 feet into adjacent Township reserves without approval. Tree removal requires a permit and replanting plan.
Property maintenance standards in The Woodlands require residents to keep their lots presentable under the Restrictive Covenants. Overgrown weeds or neglected lots may prompt Covenant Administration compliance notices.
Water restrictions in The Woodlands are managed by the Woodlands Joint Powers Agency (WJPA). Odd/even watering schedules and time-of-day restrictions apply. Avoid watering 10 AM to 6 PM.
Texas Property Code §202.007 protects xeriscaping and native plants from HOA bans. Montgomery County cannot regulate residential landscaping (no zoning). The Woodlands emphasizes native East Texas Piney Woods species.
Residents may remove trees on private property in unincorporated Montgomery County without a permit. The Woodlands requires RDRC approval for trees over 6 inches DBH. Conroe regulates trees only in subdivision and commercial contexts.
Texas Property Code §202.007 protects artificial turf from HOA bans when used for water conservation. Montgomery County cannot regulate residential landscaping. Conroe requires drainage compliance. Heat stress up to 150°F documented.
Rainwater harvesting is broadly encouraged in Montgomery County. Texas Property Code §202.007 prevents HOAs from prohibiting rain barrels with reasonable restrictions. No county permit required for residential systems.
No breed-specific legislation applies in The Woodlands. Texas law prohibits municipalities from enacting breed bans, and Montgomery County has not done so either. Dangerous dog determinations are incident-based.
Beekeeping in The Woodlands is subject to Restrictive Covenant review. While Texas Agriculture Code §131 allows backyard beekeeping statewide, deed restrictions in The Woodlands may restrict hives on residential lots.
Dog restraint and leash requirements in The Woodlands are enforced by Montgomery County Animal Services and the Sheriff under Texas law. The Township covenants cannot regulate this area directly.
The Woodlands Restrictive Covenants restrict livestock on residential lots. Deed restrictions typically limit properties to household pets. Livestock and poultry are generally not permitted in residential The Woodlands.
Montgomery County prohibits dangerous wild animals under TX Health & Safety Code Ch. 822 Subch. E. Owners must register with Animal Control, carry $100,000 liability, and meet caging standards. Conroe adds local restrictions.
Montgomery County does not ban deer feeding, but TPWD rules under §65.29 TAC restrict baiting during closed season. Conroe and The Woodlands discourage feeding due to urban deer overpopulation and coyote habituation.
Garage conversions in The Woodlands require RDRC approval and must maintain the residential appearance of the property. New garages are listed as covered projects. Deed restrictions may require maintaining functional garage access.
Storage buildings and sheds in The Woodlands require prior RDRC approval. Materials, placement, size, and color must match the main house. Sheds are listed as covered projects in the Residential Development Standards.
Accessory dwelling units in The Woodlands require RDRC approval. The covenants generally maintain single-family residential character. ADUs may be permitted in certain configurations but must not alter the residential nature of the lot.
Texas treats tiny homes by construction: foundation-built follow IRC Appendix Q (400 sq ft), THOWs are RVs under TX Manufactured Housing Act. Montgomery County cannot zone; Conroe requires 600 sq ft minimum dwelling.
Montgomery County cannot regulate carports in unincorporated areas (no zoning). Conroe UDC requires building permit, 5-foot side setback, 25-foot rear. The Woodlands prohibits metal carports; Walden/Bentwater POAs strict.
The Woodlands has no zoning code, but Restrictive Covenants maintain residential character. Commercial uses in residential lots require RDRC review. Business signage and customer traffic covenants apply.
Home businesses generating frequent customer traffic to residential properties may violate The Woodlands Restrictive Covenants by altering the residential character of the neighborhood.
Commercial signage is strictly regulated by The Woodlands Restrictive Covenants. Business signs at residential properties must comply with sign standards and require RDRC approval. Large or illuminated commercial signs are prohibited.
Texas HHSC licenses home daycares under Human Resources Code Ch. 42 and 26 TAC Ch. 744. Registered (4-6 kids) and Licensed (7-12 kids) categories. Montgomery County cannot zone daycares; Conroe permits them as home occupation.
Texas Cottage Food Law (H&S Code §437.001) allows home-made non-potentially-hazardous food sold directly to consumers up to $50,000/year. CBD/THC products banned. Proper labeling and food handler cert required.
The Woodlands was master-planned around natural drainage patterns to reduce flooding, but significant flood risk remains. Areas along Panther Creek and tributaries are in FEMA flood zones. Lake Conroe dam releases affect properties south of the lake.
Montgomery County regulates grading and drainage under the Drainage Criteria Manual and Subdivision Rules. Permits required for significant earthwork. No redirecting runoff onto neighbors. Lake Conroe watershed has stricter controls.
Montgomery County is inland and not within the Texas Coastal Management Zone. No coastal development permits apply. Lake Conroe, Spring Creek, and San Jacinto floodplain rules govern waterfront development instead.
Montgomery County requires erosion and sediment controls for land-disturbing activities over 1 acre under TCEQ Construction General Permit. Conroe applies stricter 10,000 sq ft threshold. Piney Woods soils are highly erodible.
Montgomery County enforces stormwater management under its MS4 permit with TCEQ. Post-Harvey 2017 rules increased detention and floodplain standards. Conroe and The Woodlands have strict drainage criteria for development.
Montgomery County Parks close at dusk per county rules. The Woodlands Township parks close at 10 PM (most) or dusk (nature preserves). Conroe parks close at 10 or 11 PM. Lake Conroe public access ramps have specific hours. After-hours trespass enforceable.
Montgomery County enforces a juvenile curfew for minors under 17. Nighttime curfew hours typically run 11 PM to 6 AM on school nights with later weekend hours.
Montgomery County does not require garage sale permits. Conroe and Willis also require no permit. The Woodlands allows garage sales with deed restrictions governing frequency and signage placement.
Montgomery County imposes no garage sale time limits. Sellers should follow county noise standards and HOA rules. Woodlands RDRC and Bentwater covenants commonly restrict sales to daylight hours Friday to Sunday.
Montgomery County sets no garage sale frequency limits. Texas sales tax law offers occasional-sale exemption for two sales per year under $3,000. HOAs like Bentwater and April Sound impose their own limits.
Montgomery County has no lot coverage limits in unincorporated areas. Conroe zoning sets district-specific coverage 40-60%. The Woodlands DSC enforces village covenants. Floodplain rules (FEMA/county drainage) limit impervious cover near Lake Conroe and San Jacinto River.
Montgomery County has no height limits in unincorporated areas. Conroe Code Ch. 90 limits SF residential to 35 ft. The Woodlands DSC enforces village-specific heights. FAA Part 77 applies near Lone Star Executive Airport (CXO) and Hooks Airport.
Montgomery County cannot enforce zoning setbacks in unincorporated areas — TX counties lack zoning authority under Local Govt Code Ch. 232. Conroe zoning sets setbacks via Code Ch. 90. The Woodlands DSC enforces village-specific setbacks through covenants.
Holiday displays are broadly allowed across Montgomery County. No county permits required. Conroe and Willis have no display restrictions. The Woodlands covenants limit seasonal installation windows to 30 days pre and 14 days post-holiday.
Texas Election Code §259 and Property Code §202.009 protect political signs on private property. Montgomery County HOAs cannot ban them. Conroe caps size at 36 sq ft residential. Remove within 10 days after election.
Garage sale signs in Montgomery County rights-of-way are prohibited under Transportation Code §393.002. Conroe allows temporary signs on private property, max 6 sq ft. The Woodlands covenants limit to sale-day only.
Texas Property Code §202.010 protects solar installations from HOA bans in Montgomery County. The Woodlands RDRC may require placement adjustments but cannot prohibit solar outright. Reasonable aesthetic rules allowed.
Solar installations in Montgomery County require electrical and building permits inside city limits. Conroe issues combined solar permits. Unincorporated areas need only state-licensed electrical work. HOAs cannot prohibit solar per Prop. Code §202.010.
Texas and Montgomery County do not mandate residential recycling. The Woodlands provides single-stream curbside recycling via Waste Management. Conroe offers optional recycling through private haulers. State goal is 40% diversion per TCEQ.
Montgomery County does not provide unincorporated trash service. Residents contract with private haulers (Waste Management, Republic Services, Texas Pride Disposal). Conroe provides municipal collection weekly. The Woodlands uses Waste Management contracted through township.
Montgomery County does not regulate bin placement in unincorporated areas. Conroe Code Ch. 66 requires bins curbside by 7 AM and removed within 24 hours. The Woodlands covenants require bins stored out of public view between pickups.
Montgomery County operates Environmental Services transfer stations in Conroe and Splendora for resident bulk disposal. Private haulers offer bulk pickup in Conroe and The Woodlands. Illegal bulk dumping prosecuted under TX §365.012.
Montgomery County abates dangerous structures and public nuisances under Health & Safety Code Ch. 343 Unincorporated Area Nuisances. Conroe Code Ch. 38 requires 30-day notice. Costs lien against property under §343.023.
Montgomery County cannot regulate trash bin storage in unincorporated areas. Conroe Code Ch. 58 requires bins screened from street view between pickups. Waste Connections and Republic Services are primary haulers; HB 2127 preempts plastic bans.
Montgomery County has limited authority over vacant lots in unincorporated areas since Texas counties cannot zone or enforce general nuisance codes like cities. High-grass and vacant-lot enforcement applies mainly inside Conroe and other incorporated municipalities; The Woodlands relies on deed restrictions and Covenant Administration for vacant parcel maintenance.
Garage sale items must be removed from yards after sale hours under Conroe property maintenance code. Woodlands RDRC and HOAs enforce same-day cleanup. County imposes no specific rules in unincorporated areas.
Montgomery County has no snow clearing ordinance. Significant snowfall is rare in southeast Texas. General property maintenance requires sidewalks remain free of debris, vegetation, and hazards year-round.
Commercial drone operators in Montgomery County need FAA Part 107 certification. TX Gov Code §423 restricts surveillance imagery. Conroe Lone Star Executive Airport (CXO) requires LAANC. Commercial real estate photography common in The Woodlands requires Part 107.
Recreational drone use in Montgomery County follows FAA rules under 49 USC §44809. Lone Star Executive Airport (Conroe) and Hooks Airport class E airspace restrict flights. TX Gov Code §423 restricts surveillance. Texas HB 912 preempts most local drone bans.
Rent control is prohibited statewide under Texas Local Government Code §214.902. Montgomery County and its cities cannot cap rent increases. Landlords may raise rent to market rate with proper notice.
Montgomery County does not require rental registration. Texas HB 1118 limits most local rental registration programs. Conroe has no general registration, though STRs may face separate permitting. Habitability rules still apply under Property Code §92.
Texas has no just-cause eviction requirement. Montgomery County landlords may terminate month-to-month leases without cause on 30 days' written notice per Property Code §91.001. Self-help eviction is illegal.
Montgomery County does not designate vending zones in unincorporated areas — operators work with private property owners. Conroe Code Ch. 22 restricts food truck locations. The Woodlands limits vending to designated events at Market Street and Town Center.
Montgomery County Environmental Health issues mobile food unit permits for unincorporated operations under TX Food Establishment Rules (25 TAC §228). Conroe requires additional city mobile vendor permit. The Woodlands requires township event permit.
Montgomery County has no no-knock registry. Conroe permits posted no-soliciting signs enforced via peddler ordinance. The Woodlands homeowners rely on village covenants and signage. TX Penal Code §30.05 criminal trespass is primary enforcement.
Montgomery County does not permit solicitors in unincorporated areas. Conroe Code Ch. 70 requires peddler/solicitor permit with background check. The Woodlands Township issues solicitor permits under township rules. First Amendment exemptions apply statewide.
Montgomery County has no countywide dark-sky ordinance — unincorporated land cannot be zoned under Texas law. The Woodlands enforces shielded-lighting deed restrictions. Conroe's zoning code requires full-cutoff fixtures in commercial zones.
Light trespass in Montgomery County is handled through city nuisance codes or civil nuisance suits — no county-level ordinance exists. Conroe and The Woodlands require lighting contained to the source property.
Montgomery County has no countywide tree removal permit system. Texas counties lack tree protection authority on private property. Conroe and parts of The Woodlands require landscape tree preservation during development review.
Montgomery County has no heritage or landmark tree program. The Woodlands preserves specimen Piney Woods pines and hardwoods through deed restrictions and open space reserves, not a formal heritage designation.
Montgomery County does not require tree replacement. Conroe requires replacement planting for subdivision and commercial development. The Woodlands RDRC typically requires 1:1 replacement for approved removals.
Recreational and medical marijuana dispensaries are banned statewide. Only three TCUP-licensed low-THC dispensaries operate in Texas, none in Montgomery County. CBD and hemp retail under 0.3% THC is legal.
Home cannabis cultivation is illegal throughout Montgomery County and Texas. Growing any amount is a state felony under Health & Safety Code §481.120. Only CBD under Compassionate Use is permitted.
Texas Labor Code Section 62.0515 expressly preempts municipal and county minimum wage ordinances. The state minimum wage equals the federal floor of $7.25 per hour, and political subdivisions cannot require private employers to pay more, except for their own contracts.
Texas appellate courts have struck down municipal paid sick leave ordinances in Austin, Dallas, and San Antonio as preempted under the Texas Minimum Wage Act. HB 2127 (2023) further codifies preemption by barring local regulation of employment benefits and leave policies.
HB 2127 (2023), the Texas Regulatory Consistency Act, preempts municipal predictive or fair workweek scheduling ordinances. Texas cities cannot require employers to provide advance schedule notice, predictability pay, or rest periods between shifts beyond state law.
Texas authorizes License to Carry (LTC) holders to carry concealed handguns statewide under Government Code Chapter 411. Since 2021, permitless constitutional carry under HB 1927 also allows most adults 21 and older to carry without a license, with municipalities preempted from added restrictions.
Texas Local Government Code Section 229.001 broadly preempts municipal regulation of firearms, ammunition, knives, and related accessories. Cities cannot adopt or enforce ordinances regulating the transfer, ownership, possession, transport, or discharge of firearms beyond narrow exceptions for discharge in densely populated areas.
Texas authorizes open carry of holstered handguns statewide for adults 21 and older under Penal Code 46.02 and HB 910 (2015). Long guns may be openly carried subject to disorderly conduct limits. Municipalities cannot impose additional open carry restrictions.
Texas Penal Code 46.02(a-1) lets any non-prohibited adult lawfully carry a handgun inside a personally-owned or leased motor vehicle or watercraft without a License to Carry, provided the firearm is not in plain view and the person is not engaged in criminal activity or gang membership.
Texas Government Code Chapter 673 requires every state agency and any business that contracts with a state agency to register for and use the federal E-Verify system to confirm the work eligibility of new employees. Private-sector E-Verify use is generally voluntary statewide.
Texas Government Code Chapter 752, enacted by Senate Bill 4 in 2017, prohibits any local entity, campus police department, or jail from adopting sanctuary policies. Local officials must honor federal immigration detainer requests and may not bar officers from inquiring about immigration status.
Texas Local Government Code Chapter 212 and Agriculture Code Chapter 251 limit municipal authority to zone or regulate land qualified for agricultural use appraisal. Counties have no general zoning authority, and cities face restrictions on annexing or imposing land use rules on established farms.
The Texas Right to Farm Act, Agriculture Code Chapter 251, protects established agricultural operations from nuisance lawsuits and local regulations after one year of operation. SB 1421 (2023) significantly strengthened protections, preempting municipal ordinances that restrict generally accepted agricultural practices.
The Texas Supreme Court in City of Laredo v. Laredo Merchants Association (2018) held that Health and Safety Code Section 361.0961 preempts municipal plastic bag bans. Cities and counties cannot prohibit or restrict retail use of plastic checkout bags as containers or packages.
Health and Safety Code Section 361.0961 also preempts municipal bans on polystyrene foam containers used for food service. The same statute that struck down plastic bag bans prevents Texas cities from prohibiting expanded polystyrene cups, plates, and takeout packaging.
Plastic straw bans by Texas municipalities are preempted under Health and Safety Code Section 361.0961 and reinforced by HB 2127 (2023). Cities cannot prohibit or restrict food service businesses from offering single-use plastic straws to customers.