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 Wilton Manors is how much allowance you have left.
The 50% impervious limit
In RS-5 single-family zoning, no more than 50% of the entire property can be impervious. The City’s Impervious & Pervious Space Calculation form adds up the house, porches, patios, walkways, slabs, driveways and pool, then divides by the lot area (Wilton Manors impervious form).
Lots here are small and often older, so every square foot counts. For the full driveway permit checklist and swale rules, see our Wilton Manors driveway permit guide.
Driveway setbacks in Wilton Manors
- Setbacks are measured from the right-of-way line wherever it differs from the lot line (Wilton Manors Sec. 010-010).
- Vehicles parked in the front setback have to be on an approved hard surface: concrete, asphalt, brick, pavers or decorative stone (Wilton Manors standards).
Pergolas, gazebos and new structures
- Required yards must stay open and unobstructed from the ground up, except where the code allows otherwise.
- A pergola, gazebo or addition adds to the 50% total along with the house, pool and driveway.
Artificial turf and pavers
Wilton Manors allows synthetic turf on residential properties that meet its design and installation standards in Sec. 150-250 (Wilton Manors Sec. 150-250). Ask the City how your system will count on the impervious form.
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 an 8,000 sq ft lot, impervious surfaces can total up to 4,000 sq ft. If the house and covered areas use 2,600 sq ft, the pool and patio 700 and the driveway 500, about 200 sq ft is left. That fits a 10 by 20 ft pergola with a solid roof, with nothing to spare.
Your numbers will be different. The Wilton Manors 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 Wilton Manors rules above and shows the largest size that still fits.
Open the Wilton Manors 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: Wilton Manors impervious calculation form.
We’re a State of Florida Certified General Contractor (CGC1527850). See our Wilton Manors service area or Wilton Manors driveway permit guide.
Frequently asked questions
How much of my Wilton Manors lot can be impervious?
In RS-5 zoning, no more than 50% of the entire property.
Does a pool count as impervious?
Yes. The City’s form counts the pool with the house, patios, walkways and driveway.
Where are setbacks measured from?
From the right-of-way line wherever it differs from the lot line.