Pervious vs. impervious, in plain terms
Impervious surfaces keep rain from soaking into the ground: roofs, concrete, asphalt, pavers set on a concrete base, and pool decks. Many cities count the pool too. Pervious surfaces let water through, like grass, planting beds and, in some cities, approved permeable pavers.
South Florida cities limit impervious area to control flooding. Every square foot of new driveway, patio or roof counts against your lot’s limit, so the first question on any project in Boca Raton is how much allowance you have left.
Pervious and impervious area on the site plan
Boca Raton requires site plans to show total pervious and impervious area, and drainage has to hold the first inch of rainfall on site (Boca Raton Chapter 23). Every new square foot of driveway or patio adds to the water your lot has to hold.
Setbacks depend on the district. For example, R-1-D lots need 25 ft front, 12.5 ft side and 20 ft rear yards, and R-1-B lots need 25 ft, 20 ft and 25 ft. Prior-platted subdivisions may have their own setbacks (Boca Raton setback information).
Driveway setbacks in Boca Raton
- Single-family driveways must be 12 to 24 ft wide at the property line.
- Up to 2 driveways per street, at least 20 ft apart. Corner lots or lots with more than 200 ft of frontage can have 3.
- Driveways must be at least 25 ft from a street or alley intersection.
Pergolas, gazebos and new structures
- The City publishes a separate setback chart for accessory structures. Check it, or call Zoning, before you place a pergola.
- Prior-platted subdivisions may have special setbacks.
Artificial turf and pavers
Synthetic turf is not permitted in the City’s right-of-way swale (Boca Raton swale affidavit). A Palm Beach County survey notes Boca has historically allowed turf in residential front, side and rear yards, subject to drainage review (Palm Beach County turf survey).
Statewide, Florida now requires DEP standards for synthetic turf on single-family lots of 1 acre or less, and local governments can’t prohibit turf that meets them (Florida Statutes §125.572). The DEP rule took effect May 19, 2026 (Davie staff report). Cities can still regulate drainage, so how turf counts on your impervious calculation is still the city’s call.
A quick example
A wide double driveway can’t be more than 24 ft at the property line. For a 30 ft wide parking court, plan two driveway cuts at least 20 ft apart, or narrow the opening and flare the driveway wider inside the lot.
Your numbers will be different. The Boca Raton lot simulator runs the same math for your lot.
See how much you can add
Enter your lot size, what’s already built, and the driveway, pergola or structure you want. The simulator checks your impervious percentage, coverage and setbacks against the Boca Raton rules above and shows the largest size that still fits.
Open the Boca Raton lot simulator →
The simulator gives a planning estimate, not a permit approval. Rules vary by zoning district, subdivision and HOA. This guide reflects published code as of October 2026, and we confirm the current version and your survey before every submittal. Source: Boca Raton Code.
We’re a State of Florida Certified General Contractor (CGC1527850). See our Boca Raton service area or Modern concrete driveways.
Frequently asked questions
How wide can my driveway be in Boca Raton?
12 to 24 ft at the property line for single-family homes.
Can I put turf in the swale?
No. Synthetic turf is not permitted in the City’s right-of-way swale.
Where do I find my setbacks?
The City’s setback page lists them by district. Prior-platted subdivisions may have their own.