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 Parkland is how much allowance you have left.
The 35% pervious rule and lot coverage
In a Planned Residential Development (PRD), each lot must keep at least 35% pervious open space. Buildings and enclosed roofed structures can cover no more than 40% of a single-story lot, or 35% of a multi-story lot. In the RS-1 estate district, lot coverage can’t exceed 25% (Parkland zoning code).
Most Parkland neighborhoods are planned communities with HOA rules on top of the City’s, so check both.
Driveway setbacks in Parkland
- Setbacks change by subdivision, and the City publishes a chart for each one (Parkland setback chart). Parkland Royale, for example, lists 15 ft front, 6.5 ft side and 10 ft rear for buildings.
- Primary driveways must be at least 22 ft wide at the right-of-way, and secondary driveways at least 10 ft. You can have up to 2 driveways per street, at least 8 ft apart (Parkland ULDC).
- In RS-1, pools and spas need 20 ft, and pool decks, patios and screen enclosures need 15 ft (Parkland Sec. 15-5530).
Pergolas, gazebos and new structures
- Detached accessory structures over 75 sq ft have to match the house’s style, materials and color (Parkland Article 75).
- Decks and accessory structures have their own setbacks in each subdivision chart.
Artificial turf and pavers
Parkland’s code allows synthetic turf in side and rear yards, plus turf strips in patterned front driveways. Strips can be up to 6 inches wide and no more than 20% of the driveway surface (Parkland Sec. 95-1600). A permit is required (Parkland FAQ).
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
On a 9,000 sq ft PRD lot, at least 3,150 sq ft must stay pervious, so up to 5,850 sq ft can be impervious. On a single-story lot, buildings and enclosed roofed structures can cover up to 3,600 sq ft of that.
Your numbers will be different. The Parkland 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 Parkland rules above and shows the largest size that still fits.
Open the Parkland 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: Parkland Zoning Code.
We’re a State of Florida Certified General Contractor (CGC1527850). See our Parkland service area or Parkland pool deck project.
Frequently asked questions
How much of my Parkland lot must stay pervious?
In a Planned Residential Development, at least 35% of each lot.
Can I have turf joints in my driveway?
Yes, Parkland’s code allows strips up to 6 inches wide covering no more than 20% of the driveway.
Where do I find my setbacks?
The City publishes a setback chart for each subdivision. Your HOA may have stricter rules.