Deed Restriction Reference

As a service to our neighborhood, we have put online a copy of the text from our neighboorhood deed restrictions. WARNING: These web pages are for reference only and are not intended to serve as a substitute for legal documents. Do not attempt to copy these or use them as binding legal forms. The creators of this web site take no responsibility for errors or inaccuracies in the transcription of these documents. If you need a legal copy of these documents, please obtain them from the appropriate authorities.

* IMPORTANT NOTE: The Woodland Heights area is comprised of a number of individual subdivisions, many with their own unique deed restrictions. Be sure to look at the proper deed restrictions for the property in question. If you do not know the name of the subdivsion, that information is available in the Harris County Appraisal District database, which is available on line at www.hcad.org.

** Official copies of deed restrictions can be obtained from the Harris County Clerk at (713) 755-6411 or visit their web site at www.cclerk.hctx.net. The Adobe Acrobat Reader is required to view this scanned versions.

*** Any "official" deed restrictions posted on this site are scanned copies and are subject to change. To be absolutely certain you have the latest copies you must contact the County Clerk.

Deed Restriction Review Service

last updated 4/10/2003

The Woodland Heights Civic Association provides a free service to residents where a teem of volunteers will review your plans and provide feedback on the compliance of proposed building plans with the deed restrictions on your property. If you are interested in submitting your plans or helping out with Deed Restrictions, please contact the Woodland Heights Deed Restrictions VP (contact information here).

If you are submitting plans, we ask that you provide the following information in order to facilitate a prompt review of your plans.

click here for printable version (Adobe Acrobat required) .

Requirements for Construction Plans Submitted to the WHCA for Review Definitions: AERIAL EASEMENT - The air space needed by utilities for overhead utility lines (power, telephone, etc.) ELEVATION - The drawing showing height of the building (viewed from outside the building) EXISTING STRUCTURE - Buildings that are on the property before new construction begins FOOTPRINT - The perimeter of the existing structure at ground level NEW BUILD - New construction that changes the existing footprint PLAT - A plat or plat map is not the same as a site plan. Plats usually show blocks, streets, or even a whole subdivision. PROPERTY LINE - Official line defined by iron stakes in the ground at each corner of the property. Fences are not necessarily on property lines. SCALE - How many inches equal how many feet SITE PLAN - A drawing showing structures on a property and where these structures sit relative to the property lines Requirements: The WHCA requests drawings of proposed changes to any structure in a deed restricted subdivision. A drawing by a surveyor or property owner is acceptable as long as it meets the requirements below. Highlighter pen markings are not acceptable. Requirements for drawings are: It must be drawn on paper at least 8 1/2’ X 11” in size It must be legible, meaning numbers and writing must not be too small or blurred It must show all “new build” structures It must be fully dimensional, meaning the scale of the drawing must be represented on each page, and the following items must be shown on at least one of the drawings: Width of property Depth of property Where the building sits on property now and where it will sit after construction Distance from property line to driveway Width of driveway Elevation of new construction, including aerial easement Right-of-way width of streets, if property is on a corner lot If the property owner will be adding a second story to an existing structure, it is not necessarily considered a “new build.” However, the WHCA still requests plans be submitted. Requirements for those drawings are the same as above. In addition, the following standards of building must be followed: It must not go over height limitations set by applicable deed restrictions It must not encroach on any aerial easement Property owners are required to have the City of Houston Planning and Development Department inspect the existing structure to confirm the slab or pier and beams can support the weight of a second story

Reporting Suspected Violations

If you suspect that a permit violates your community's deed restrictions regarding the any of the following areas:

Frequently Asked Questions

Q. Do I have to submit my plans to the WHCA for review?

A. If your plans are for property located in the Norhill Addition subdivision, then you MUST submit your plans for review by the WHCA. Otherwise, you are not requried to use the WHCA review service. However, per Section 10.3 of the Code of Ordinances, "No building permit shall be issued until an affidavit has been submitted to the building official stating that the construction, alteration, or repair for which the building permit is sought, and the use to which the improvement or building is to be put, will not violate deed restrictions or restrictive covenants running with the land."

Q. Where can I find all of the building codes for the City of Houston?

A. The entire code of ordinances is available online at http://www.ci.houston.tx.us/codes. Building codes can be found in Chapter 10.

Q. What rules apply to garages, carports, and porte-cocheres?

A. Carports and porte-cocheres are sub-categories of “garage,” either
attached or unattached. Whatever deed restrictions apply to garages also apply to these structures. The Norhill subdivision has its own peculiarities those deed restrictions prohibit garage apartments, and garages must be set back 60 feet from the front property line.

Q. What about pergolas?

A. A pergola does not fall into the same category as a garage, carport, or porte-cochere, but you cannot put a solid roof or sides on a pergola, as that would change it's classification.

Q. What are the rules for wooden privacy fences around residential lots?

A. IF THERE ARE NO DEED RESTRICTIONS ADDRESSING THE HEIGHT, then the city code allows fences as tall as eight feet. Any taller than that, and the property owner needs to get a permit. For more exact rules, please refer to Chapter 10 of the online Code of Ordinances