Ready to renovate or build?

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Thinking of doing new construction, renovations, or improvements to your property in Shepherd Forest? Great!  Please take a moment to click here and complete the application for approval of your plans.  You must submit any renovation or building plans BEFORE construction begins.  
​Shepherd Forest Building Application

There is No Parking In Yards in Shepherd Forest

Did you know that parking any vehicle on the grass (or any other non paved surface) is PROHIBITED? The Prohibited Yard Parking Program is intended to protect neighborhood property values, prevent damage to the City of Houston’s underground infrastructure, and to stop the degradation of the aesthetic appearance of single-family residential areas. Parking of vehicles on any unimproved surface in the front or side yard within single-family residential areas will be prohibited where a Prohibited Yard Parking Requirement Area has been established. Any person who violates the Prohibited Yard Parking Requirement Area shall be guilty of a misdemeanor and shall be fined up to $150 each day a violation occurs.  Shepherd Forest opted into the program several years ago. You can report these violations by calling 311, visiting the website here, or using the 311 app on your smart phone. Be sure to state that Shepherd Forest is included in the ordinance. This applies to any vehicle (including trailers) parked on a non-paved surface.

Abandoned or junk/immovable vehicles may also be reported to the city at by calling 311, visiting the website here, or using the 311 app on your smart phone.

Shepherd Forest Deed Restrictions

Shepherd Forest is a Deed Restricted Neighborhood and works with the City of Houston to enforce the Deed Restrictions outlined below.  Deed Restrictions are vital to protecting the integrity and appearance of the neighborhood.  Shepherd Forest Deed Restrictions do not require mandatory Civic Club dues, nor do they allow the Civic Club to place liens against a property.  The Deed Restrictions are in place to: enforce set back (no build) lines, require that residents maintain their homes and yards in an attractive manner, prohibit the parking of vehicles in yards, prohibit the storage of appliances/furniture/dumpsters on lots, and prohibit the operation of automotive repair shops from being run at a residence.  

​The New Deed Restrictions WILL NOT:
- Require Mandatory Civic Club Dues.
- Create a Homeowners Association.
- Require the Removal of Existing Carports.
- Allow for Liens Against a Property for Nonpayment of Civic Club Dues.  

The entire Amended & Restated Deed Restriction proposal was discussed and voted on at the May 17, 1999, Civic Club meeting. Every homeowner in Shepherd Forest is asked to sign an official copy of the proposed deed restrictions. With almost 1000 homes in our neighborhood, and over 50% of the residents required to sign their approval of the deed restrictions, this project takes the efforts of many residents. The civic club continues to provide free notary service to those signing.

The passage of the Amended & Restated Deed Restrictions for Shepherd Forest is imperative if we want to maintain property values and the quality of life found in our neighborhood. The proposals offer protection from inappropriate use of our residential property. The Amended Deed Restrictions will affect every resident, just as the current ones do.   Only the notarized signatures of homeowners can be accepted to pass them. It is important that you read and clearly understand these restrictions. Want to know what section you belong to? Click here

Original Deed Restrictions
Section 1
Section 2
Section 3
Amended & Restated Deed Restrictions
Section 1 
Section 2
Section 3 (ratified)

Let's keep Shepherd Forest a place you are proud to call home! You can help in two ways: 1) signing your section's deed restrictions (see below); and 2) joining the Deed Restriction Committee.  Being a committee member is easy!  Simply attend an upcoming deed restriction seminar, learn about the deed restrictions, and then get together with your neighbors for some block walking!  Great news - The Deed Restriction Committee has successfully completed the ratification of the Section 3 deed restrictions. We are now focusing on Sections 1 and 2. If you would like more information or would like to help get signatures, send an email to info@shepherdforest.org.