Your first-month checklist
- Electricity. Check which utility serves your address. Most of The Woodlands is served by Entergy Texas, which is regulated, so there's no provider to choose. Creekside Park and parts of Sterling Ridge are in the CenterPoint area, where you pick a retail electric provider at powertochoose.org.
- Water and sewer. Most villages are served by Woodlands Water on behalf of the local MUDs; parts of Creekside Park are served by Harris County MUD 386.
- Homestead exemption. File with the Montgomery or Harris appraisal district once you've moved in. How it works →
- Driver's license and registration. New Texas residents have 30 days to register a vehicle and 90 days to get a Texas license.
- Toll tag. Get an EZ TAG or TxTag for the Hardy Toll Road and Grand Parkway.
- School enrollment. Register with Conroe, Tomball or Magnolia ISD based on your address. Schools guide →
- Find your village. Use the Township's address lookup to find your village association and its events.
- Sign up for alerts. The Township's email news and the Woodlands Fire Department's alerts cover storms, closures and events.
Rules worth knowing
- Exterior changes need approval. Fences, paint colors, additions and pools go through your Residential Design Review Committee.
- Trees are protected. Ask the Township before removing a healthy tree.
- No garage sales. The covenants don't allow them.
- No e-bikes or scooters on pathways. Motorized devices aren't permitted on Township trails.
- Short-term rentals need a Township permit.
Getting involved
The fastest way to feel at home here is to plug into something local.
- Your Village Association. Every resident is automatically a member. Associations host events, award scholarships and meet monthly; find yours with the Township's address lookup.
- Residential Design Review Committees. Volunteer resident panels that review home improvement applications in each village.
- Township boards and elections. Seven elected directors serve two-year terms; elections are each November.
- Volunteering. Residents turn out by the thousands to volunteer and cheer at IRONMAN Texas each spring, and nonprofits like Interfaith of The Woodlands, founded with George Mitchell's support, coordinate service year-round.
- Arts and culture. The Woodlands Arts Council (which runs the Waterway Arts Festival), The Woodlands Symphony and The Woodlands Concert Band welcome new members and volunteers.
- Faith communities. The Woodlands has nearly 70 religious congregations. Houses of Worship →
- Business and professional groups. The Woodlands Area Chamber of Commerce and local service clubs host regular networking events.
- Neighborhood watch and National Night Out. The Township's program has won national recognition, and neighborhoods hold block parties each October.
Frequently asked questions
- Is The Woodlands a city?
- No. It's an unincorporated community run by The Woodlands Township, with an elected board. What is a township? →
- Will Houston ever annex The Woodlands?
- No. A 2026 agreement permanently removed that possibility.
- Do I pay HOA dues?
- Usually not separately. The Township tax funds most services, but some neighborhoods, like East Shore and gated communities, have their own HOA fees.
- Who provides police and fire?
- The Township runs The Woodlands Fire Department. Law enforcement comes through county sheriff and constable contracts.
- What's the address on my mail?
- Many Woodlands homes have a "Spring" or "Conroe" mailing city because ZIP codes predate the community. Your home is still in The Woodlands.
- Is there a sales tax?
- Yes. It includes a Township portion that helps keep the property tax rate low.