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 Plantation is how much allowance you have left.
Landscaped area and lot coverage
In Plantation, all areas not covered by buildings, walks and vehicle areas must be landscaped with living plants. Landscaped areas can have no more than 10% gravel, stone, concrete, asphalt or similar material (Plantation landscape code).
Maximum lot coverage is set by your zoning district (RS-1EP, RS-1, RS-2 and others), and additions can’t push the total past that limit (Plantation zoning code). Check your district before you plan an addition or a large covered patio.
Driveway setbacks in Plantation
- Driveway standards are in Sec. 27-131, and each parking space needs at least 9 ft of paved width (Plantation Article VIII).
- Standard parking spaces are 9 by 18 ft, or 9 by 16 ft when the car overhangs a curb next to a pervious area.
Pergolas, gazebos and new structures
- Plantation lists pergolas, gazebos, cabanas, carports, sheds, pool houses and ADUs as accessory buildings in residential zones.
- That means a pergola follows the same accessory setbacks and coverage limits as a shed in your district.
Artificial turf and pavers
Plantation’s code counts a compliant synthetic turf installation as a pervious surface, limited to 10% of a residential lot’s total pervious area (Plantation synthetic turf code). State law now limits how cities restrict compliant turf on lots of 1 acre or less, so confirm the current limit with the City.
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
If your lot has 5,000 sq ft of landscaped area, the code allows up to 500 sq ft of stepping stones, borders or similar hard material inside it. A new patio or driveway extension has to come out of the landscaped area and still leave the lot within your district’s coverage limit.
Your numbers will be different. The Plantation 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 Plantation rules above and shows the largest size that still fits.
Open the Plantation 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: Plantation Code Chapter 27.
We’re a State of Florida Certified General Contractor (CGC1527850). See our Plantation service area or Plantation new construction project.
Frequently asked questions
Is a pergola an accessory building in Plantation?
Yes. Plantation lists pergolas with gazebos, cabanas and sheds as accessory buildings.
Can I use gravel instead of grass?
Only for a small share. Landscaped areas can have no more than 10% gravel, stone or similar material.
Does turf count as pervious in Plantation?
Plantation’s code counts compliant turf as pervious, up to 10% of the lot’s pervious area.