Spring Valley Village

Overview and location

Source: official site.

Where it is. Official limits are on the city's 2014 zoning map, which is not readable as text; the map labels Interstate 10 (Katy Freeway) and a Freeway PADD overlay district. Lots backing onto Briar Branch and Spring Branch are inside the city. Confirm any address with HCAD. Source

• Land area The Census Bureau's boundary file puts Spring Valley Village at about 3.15 million square meters of land (roughly 1.2 square miles) with no water area. U.S. Census Bureau (TIGERweb via Census Geocoder)
• Council meetings City Council holds regular sessions at 6 p.m. on the fourth Tuesday of each month, and the fiscal year starts Oct. 1. City of Spring Valley Village
• FY 2025-26 budget The city's adopted FY 2025-26 budget totals about $23.9 million across the general, utility, debt service and capital improvement funds; the budget message and summary tables differ slightly on individual funds. City of Spring Valley Village
• 911 inside the city A 911 call made inside the city limits rings at the Spring Valley Village Police Department, which transfers fire calls to the Village Fire Department. Non-emergency police: 713-465-8323. City of Spring Valley Village
• Police house watch and alarms The police department offers a House Watch drive-by while residents are away and home security surveys. Alarms must be registered ($50 new, $20 yearly renewal); after 5 false alarms in a calendar year, each one is billed $50. City of Spring Valley Village
• Resident vehicle stickers Residents can get vehicle stickers from the police dispatcher next to City Hall with proof of residency. City of Spring Valley Village
• Village Fire Department The Village Fire Department has 46 full-time employees, covers more than 9 square miles across the six villages, and answers to a board with one commissioner from each city. Non-emergency line: 713-468-7941. City of Spring Valley Village
• First ordinances The first mayor and aldermen were sworn in June 30, 1955. The council's first ordinance (July 18, 1955) regulated building permits, and a subdivision ordinance followed Oct. 10, 1955. City of Spring Valley Village
• Town becomes city After growing past 600 residents, the Town of Spring Valley was renamed the City of Spring Valley on April 16, 1957. In its early years the town had no city water, sewer or fire department. City of Spring Valley Village
• Two-story homes since 1981 Most of the town was originally zoned for one-story single-family homes; the city's history says two-story houses were first permitted in 1981. City of Spring Valley Village
• Street name origins Westview Drive was once Holms Road, named for the E. J. Holm family. Fries Road honors a family that ran one of the area's plant nurseries, and Beutel Street the owners of most of the Osborne Survey. City of Spring Valley Village
• Current City Hall The current City Hall and police building at 1025 Campbell Road opened May 23, 2017; the 1983 building was torn down that August to make room for park renovations and a new water well. City of Spring Valley Village

Prices and market conditions

Spring Valley 2025 Facts, values exactly as HAR.com shows them (appraisal-district data, not sale prices), checked Oct. 22, 2026: HAR.com. Neighborhood figures are not the value of any one home.

Spring Valley Oaks 2025 Facts, values exactly as HAR.com shows them (appraisal-district data, not sale prices), checked Oct. 22, 2026: HAR.com. Neighborhood figures are not the value of any one home.

HAR’s neighborhood figures come from appraisal-district records. Asking prices and closed sales are different measures; for a specific home, request a pricing review.

Property taxes

Every home pays several taxing units. The rates below are the latest adopted rates we could verify; your bill depends on the appraised value, your exemptions and the exact units on the account. Look up the address on HCAD before you budget.

• City tax rate history The SBISD tax office lists Spring Valley Village's rate at $0.415 per $100 in 2021, $0.405 in 2022 and $0.395 in 2023, 2024 and 2025. Spring Branch ISD Tax Office
• 2025 rate vs. no-new-revenue rate For 2025 the city's budget lists a no-new-revenue rate of $0.417906 and a voter-approval rate of $0.485948, against the $0.395 rate it kept. City of Spring Valley Village
• 2026 rate calculation The city's 2026 tax rate worksheet shows a no-new-revenue rate of $0.394434 and a voter-approval rate of $0.472124 per $100. The adopted 2026 rate was not posted where we looked. City of Spring Valley Village

Building, renovation and tree rules

Rules below are summaries of the city’s or the association’s own pages and documents. Before you buy a home to remodel or rebuild, confirm the current rules and fees with the permit office named above.

Lots, setbacks, height and coverage

• Zoning map districts The city's 2014 zoning map shows Dwelling District A under Ordinance 2008-11 plus planned area development districts (Bingle, Bingle West, Campbell/Westview and Freeway PADDs), planned area developments and specific use permits, so rules can differ by tract. City of Spring Valley Village
• Front setbacks Front setbacks for homes are 25 feet on a 60-foot right-of-way, 30 feet on a 50-foot right-of-way and 20 feet on cul-de-sac lots. A front-facing garage must sit 5 feet behind the front wall of the house. City of Spring Valley Village
• Side setbacks Side setbacks are 8 feet, rising to 15 feet where the side yard adjoins the rear of another lot or a local or collector street and 25 feet next to a major thoroughfare. City of Spring Valley Village
• Rear setbacks Rear setbacks are 10 feet for the first floor and 25 feet for a second floor (15 feet next to a local or collector street, 25 feet next to a major thoroughfare). Balconies may project up to 24 inches into a setback. City of Spring Valley Village
• Lot coverage in front Besides the 60% limit behind the building line, impervious cover in front of the building line is capped at 50% of that area. The city's worked example counts the house, patio, driveway and walks, pool deck and sheds as coverage. City of Spring Valley Village
• Two stories, height certified Homes are limited to two stories and 36 feet above natural grade. Before a certificate of occupancy, the city requires a ridge height certification showing slab elevation, peak elevation and average natural ground. City of Spring Valley Village
• Equipment setbacks Air-conditioning units and pool equipment must be at least 4 feet from the property line. City of Spring Valley Village
• Planning and Zoning Commission The seven-member Planning and Zoning Commission reviews new building projects, subdivision layouts, replats and proposed zoning changes. It meets at 6:30 p.m. on the second Tuesday as needed. City of Spring Valley Village
• Variances The Board of Adjustment hears variances and zoning appeals as needed; a variance needs 4 of 5 votes, the applicant must prove hardship, and a purely financial hardship does not qualify. Notice takes several weeks and a filing fee applies. City of Spring Valley Village
• Pool setbacks Pools must be at least 10 feet from the rear lot line (and out of easements), 8 feet from side lines and 5 feet from the house, with equipment 4 feet from the property line. Drawings must show 10 feet horizontal or 22.5 feet diagonal clearance from power lines. City of Spring Valley Village

Trees

• Tree survey before any permit A tree survey (by an architect, engineer or surveyor) and a tree disposition plan (by a landscape or tree professional) are required before any building permit, including for accessory structures. Trees 10 inches and larger that will stay must be marked as protected, with fencing and signage. City of Spring Valley Village

Permits, demolition and construction

• Garage and carport rules Each home needs a garage of at least 400 square feet that fits two cars side by side; detached garages are one story, and carports are prohibited. Driveways can be no wider than 24 feet where they meet the street. City of Spring Valley Village
• Fire sprinklers Fire sprinklers are required in all new homes and in additions or remodels that exceed 50% of the existing square footage or the structure's replacement cost. City of Spring Valley Village
• Plan review payment New homes, additions and remodels require a $1,000 plan review payment at submission, which is not refunded if the application is withdrawn; other fees follow the city fee schedule. City of Spring Valley Village
• What needs a permit Besides new homes, the city requires permits for work such as fences, patios, driveways and sidewalks, roofing, siding, water heaters, lawn sprinklers, pools and hot tubs, wall changes and demolition. City of Spring Valley Village
• Minor residential permits One miscellaneous residential application covers driveways and walkways, decks and patios, fences, foundation repair, generator slabs, roof replacement and POD/RV visitor placement. It asks for the flood zone and whether HOA approval was obtained. City of Spring Valley Village
• Inspection timing Inspections are requested in the permit portal by 4 p.m. for the next day. Remodels typically go through plumbing rough-in, foundation (with form survey), framing, windstorm and final inspections. City of Spring Valley Village
• Before a demolition Before applying to demolish a house, owners must confirm with the city (713-465-8308) that a utility account is established for the address. Commercial demolitions need an asbestos survey first. City of Spring Valley Village
• Pool permit requirements Pool permits need an engineered drainage plan, a surveyed site plan, self-closing and self-latching gates, dual main drains and a $1,000 plan review payment. City of Spring Valley Village
• Stormwater plan The city keeps a stormwater management plan with an MS4 document dated March 20, 2026; illegal dumping into drains is reported to Public Works (713-465-8308). City of Spring Valley Village

Pools, fences, rentals and other rules

• Adopted building codes Spring Valley Village uses the 2018 International Codes (building, residential, energy, fire, fuel gas, mechanical, plumbing, pool and spa) and the 2023 National Electrical Code. The city does not do energy code reviews; a third-party report is required. City of Spring Valley Village
• How plans are submitted Plans go in digitally through the city's SmartGov portal as complete sets (building and drainage in separate files, no CAD files, no partial sheets). The city offers a free presubmittal meeting. City of Spring Valley Village
• Certificate of occupancy A new home's certificate of occupancy requires, submitted together, an as-built drainage survey with an engineer's letter, a final topographic and tree survey, a final elevation certificate, the energy code report, height certifications and the fire marshal's final letter. City of Spring Valley Village

Schools

• Schools the city lists The city lists Spring Branch ISD's Bear Boulevard School (pre-K and kindergarten, 8860 Westview), Valley Oaks Elementary (8390 Westview), Spring Branch Middle (1000 Piney Point) and Memorial High (935 Echo Lane). Confirm zoning by address with SBISD. City of Spring Valley Village
• Cornerstone Academy Cornerstone Academy, an SBISD district charter middle school, is at 9016 Westview; admission is separate from neighborhood zoning. City of Spring Valley Village
• 2026-27 boundary changes Spring Branch ISD proposed elementary boundary changes for 2026-27 (trustee vote Nov. 17, 2025) on the district's east side, naming Shadow Oaks and Westwood; families in a changed zone could stay at their current campus. Recheck the district's zoned-school finder. Spring Branch ISD

School assignments and attendance boundaries can change. Confirm the assigned schools directly with the district before making a housing decision.

Flood and drainage research

• Drainage plan rules Drainage plans must be sealed by a Texas engineer, based on a 20-foot-grid topographic survey tied to the FEMA datum. Roof drains must connect to an underground system, swales meant to drain a lot are not allowed, and detention calculations and a floodplain statement or elevation certificate are required when applicable. City of Spring Valley Village
• Lots on Briar Branch or Spring Branch Lots that back onto Briar Branch or Spring Branch drainage easements need a separate approval from the Harris County Flood Control District. City of Spring Valley Village
• Flood research tools Before buying, look up each address on FEMA's Map Service Center and the Harris County Flood Control District's flood education mapping tool, and ask for any elevation certificate. Harris County Flood Control District
• Briar Branch gauge The city links the Harris County Flood Warning System rain gauge on Briar Branch (gage 2255) and HCFCD's channel mowing schedule. City of Spring Valley Village
• Flood zone on permits Spring Valley's residential permit form asks applicants to state the lot's flood zone (AE, floodway, shaded X or X). City of Spring Valley Village

A neighborhood name never tells you a home’s flood risk. Check the address on the FEMA map and the Harris County tools, read the seller’s disclosure, ask for any elevation certificate and get a flood insurance quote during your option period.

More: Houston flood maps and flood questions.

Parks, shopping and amenities

• City park City Park in front of City Hall (1025 Campbell Road) has a pavilion, a gazebo and two greenspace areas that residents can reserve through the City Secretary (deposit plus hourly fees); leashed dogs and cats are allowed. City of Spring Valley Village
• City events The city runs community events such as Music in the Park and a fall event series, and started a monthly newsletter (SVV Monthly) in October 2026. City of Spring Valley Village
• Nearest county library Harris County Public Library's Spring Branch Memorial branch is at 930 Corbindale (713-464-1633). City of Hilshire Village

Getting around

• City water and sewer The city itself provides water, sewer and garbage service. New accounts need a $250 deposit, and card payments carry a 3% fee; ask the utility department about a separate irrigation meter. City of Spring Valley Village
• 2026 utility rate changes Water rates rose 3.5% and wastewater rates 6.64% effective May 1, 2026; garbage is listed at $23.45 per household. City of Spring Valley Village
• Trash and recycling GFL collects garbage Tuesdays and Fridays, recycling Fridays and bulky trash Tuesdays and Fridays. Bulky items are limited to 75 pounds, 4 feet and 25 items per pickup; special pickups through GFL (281-368-8397). City of Spring Valley Village

Before you buy: the three things to check

1. Flood and drainage history of the exact lot

   Look up the address on FEMA's Map Service Center and HCFCD's tool, get the elevation certificate, and ask the seller and insurer about past claims. The city's permit forms ask for the flood zone, and if the lot backs onto Briar Branch or Spring Branch, building will need HCFCD sign-off.

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2. What you can build or add

   Check setbacks (front setback depends on street width), 60%/50% coverage, two-story and 36-foot limits, and the 50% remodel trigger for sprinklers before you price a project. Use the city's free presubmittal meeting.

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3. Trees on the lot

   Any building permit needs a tree survey and disposition plan, and trees 10 inches and up that stay must be protected. A tree-heavy lot can limit where a house or pool goes.

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Full checklist

1. Set up utilities with the city Buyers set up water, sewer and garbage with the city, not a private provider, with a $250 deposit (713-465-8308). City of Spring Valley Village
2. Order a survey that shows trees Any later building permit needs a tree survey and disposition plan, so a survey that locates trees 10 inches and up saves a step if you plan to build or add on. City of Spring Valley Village

Questions buyers ask

Available homes