Residential Design Review Committees ease applications and pre-approvals for storm-related damage

THE WOODLANDS, TX -- In order to make things a little easier for residents affected by the recent storm, the Residential Design Review Committees (RDRCs) and Development Standards Committee (DSC) will forgo applications and pre-approvals for work needed (fence replacement, tree removal, damage to homes). Focus will be on items, which if not addressed immediately, could affect the safety and wellbeing of persons and property. With or without the application, it remains the owner’s/resident’s duty to ensure all work is done in accordance with the applicable covenants, standards and residential code requirements. This waiver of applications and approvals will be in effect through September 30, 2023.

“This is being done to assist residents in making necessary repairs and tree removals as soon as possible without waiting for approvals,” said Township Chief Operating Officer Chris Nunes. Applications will need to be filed at a later date for appropriate record keeping and any required inspections.

In support of required eventual application and approval by the RDRC/DSC/Township, residents should be ready to provide any documentation and/or reports from claim adjusters’, vendors’ and/or qualified code inspectors’ reports. Until September 30, 2023:

• Compliance deposits will be waived.

• Hazardous trees will be allowed to be removed without an arborist report or application.

• For properties with pools and fence damage, a temporary pool barrier should be erected to protect residents and neighbors from the hazards of not having a compliant barrier.

If needed repairs and removals are made during this period of time, the owner/resident (and their contractors) making such repairs and removals will hold the Township, DSC and RDRCs

and their respective board members, committee members and staff harmless from and against any claims or damages based in whole or in part on the basis that repairs and/or removals were not performed and inspected in accordance with applicable covenants, standards and code.

Effective October 1, 2023, all affected property owners, if they have not already done so, will be required to submit the necessary applications and perform inspections to ensure the work has been completed in accordance with the applicable covenants, standards and code.

Applications forms are available online at https://www.thewoodlandstownship-tx.gov/149/Residential-Application-Forms. Additional information is available at www.thewoodlandstownship-tx.gov/covenants.

If you have any specific questions or need assistance regarding what the Township is doing to help the community recover from this event, please call the Township at 281-210-3800.