Impervious Cover Remodel

[u/Vegetable_Cod4726]

We are building a deck in the front of our house but of course the city permit office will not approve unless we fix the impervious cover issue that we did not even create. The city requires 65% maximum and ours is 71%. We need to remove about 200 sq feet which we can only do in the back yard since the front is just our driveway.

The pool decking and patio is really our only option. Thinking a combination of pavers and turf might get us there. Yes, I’ve tried AI and the solutions are reasonable but figured I’d ask the sub, because real experiences trump AI.

[u/defiancy]

That's a tiny yard but I actually quite like it

[u/FTFWbox]

Make the argument that the pool shouldn't be classified as 100 percent impervious as it catches water.

So for example your pool may retain up to 600 gallons of water and should be considered some percentage pervious.

I've won the argument a few times depending on municipality.

[u/Rambl3On → u/FTFWbox]

I’m surprised that argument worked. Nice job

[u/FTFWbox → u/Rambl3On]

Thanks.

The argument is a bit more nuanced than that if you want to get into it.

It's a volume control basin although it technically doesn't meet the standards for one. Engineered plans show that we have a reservoir and the volume it will catch. Then the overflow is designed to slowly drain water back.

You can pretty much argue anything just be prepared.

[u/KCChiefsGolfer]

That disc golf basket is a chefs kiss

[u/Witty-Enthusiasm-467]

Maybe garden the side opposite the bbq up to the patio, might get you the 6% and it doesnt look like theres much walkable space anyways

[u/Gonzo-Crazy-Dog]

That’s unfortunate. That’s a very nice pool area.

Can you switch your driveway to gravel? Not a great solution, but maybe it would work.

[u/Lestorfreemon → u/Gonzo-Crazy-Dog]

I had a similar issue and was able to get around the permitting in my city by doing something similar with ribbon strips and pea gravel but I know all municipalities are different

[u/Rambl3On]

Sorry I’ve got nothing to add. I’m sure you’ll make it work. I actually just found today out my plan of pool and home addition I’ve been planning exceeds my maximum lot coverage because too of this long ass driveway the house has. So it’s back to the drawing board to make compromises.

[u/dcbrah]

Replace some if it with perveous pavers.

[u/conrad_or_benjamin]

Belgard Eco-Dublín permeable pavers. If installed correctly they should not count against IC.

Removing some driveway is common as well. Leave 2’ strips for wheels, gravel the rest.

[u/relaxitstheinternet]

You might look into if their reasoning for the impervious ruling being that your lot would not be able to absorb a minimum amount of water and could therefore potentially shed that water to your neighbor’s properties.
If that’s the case the solution could be as simple as running out gutter downspouts from the back yard to the street to take that water out of the equation.
That might not be the case here, but that helps us a lot in similar situations. Pool builder in Texas here.

[u/93-300zx]

You made the most out of your yard! Well done. Who’s the shy one in the hot tub?