“Creativity loves constraints.” – Eric Schmidt
If you’re a homeowner, contractor, or designer in Bucks County, Newtown, Upper Makefield, Solebury, or the Main Line townships, chances are you’ve run into impervious surface constraints when trying to design or build your dream outdoor space. These limitations can feel frustrating—shrinking your options and inflating your stress.
But here’s the truth: constraints don’t have to limit creativity. In fact, they often inspire the most innovative solutions. At Plant Design Group, we’ve helped hundreds of clients overcome zoning restrictions to create functional, luxurious outdoor living spaces—without blowing the budget or breaking township codes.
Why Do Impervious Surface Limitations Exist?
Local governments enforce impervious surface regulations for important environmental reasons:
- Rainwater Recapture & Aquifer Recharge – Preventing stormwater from simply running off into streets or neighboring properties.
- Erosion & Topsoil Protection – Stabilizing landscapes and reducing long-term soil loss.
- Waterway Health – Capturing runoff before it carries pollutants into streams and rivers.
- Responsible Development – Encouraging property owners to manage water on-site rather than pass problems downstream.
These rules aren’t arbitrary; they’re designed to balance property development with long-term environmental health.
How to Determine Your Impervious Surface Limits
Before you can design around the problem, you need to know what the rules are for your property. This often depends on:
- Local zoning districts – Every township interprets impervious coverage differently.
- State or conservation jurisdictions – Additional restrictions may apply near wetlands, floodplains, or protected areas.
- Zoning code definitions – Some townships consider gravel driveways “pervious,” while others count them as 100% impervious.
For example, in Upper Makefield, decking over ¾” non-compacted gravel might be considered pervious, while in Solebury Township the same structure could be treated as impervious. That’s why understanding your township’s zoning code is critical before moving forward.
PDG’s Proven 3-Step Design Process
At Plant Design Group, we’ve refined a three-step process to help homeowners, contractors, and designers navigate impervious limitations while still getting the outdoor spaces they want:
- Space Planning & Flow Mapping
We map ingress and egress, traffic flow, and outdoor “rooms” to ensure the space is functional and beautiful. - Comprehensive Research & Requirements Gathering
We evaluate material preferences, budgets, grading, drainage, views, privacy, and aesthetics to uncover every design opportunity. - Creative Design Scenarios & Pricing
We propose multiple design options that balance compliance, creativity, and cost—giving you flexibility and peace of mind.
Creative Solutions for Working Around Impervious Constraints
Here are some of the strategies we frequently implement to help clients maximize their space:
- Terracing & Multi-Level Design – Breaking up surfaces across levels helps reduce impervious percentages without reducing usable area.
- Innovative Material Applications – Floating decks, sod terraces, permeable pavers, stepping stone pathways, and stone screenings with poly binders can all count as pervious (depending on township).
- Integrated Rainwater Recapture – Designing patios and hardscapes with built-in drainage and recapture systems.
- Value Engineering – Reallocating coverage from underutilized areas to make space for high-impact living zones.
These creative approaches allow us to design luxury outdoor spaces that feel expansive—even when zoning codes say otherwise.
Constraints as a Catalyst for Creativity
As frustrating as zoning rules can be, they often push design teams toward better solutions. History is filled with reminders:
- “Constraint inspires creativity.” – Biz Stone
- “The more constraints one imposes, the more one frees one’s self.” – Igor Stravinsky
- “Constraints breed resourcefulness.” – David Senra
Or as Stravinsky put it best:
“My freedom thus consists in my moving about within the narrow frame that I have assigned myself… The more narrowly I limit my field of action, the more I surround myself with obstacles, the greater and more meaningful my freedom becomes.”
Ready to Overcome Impervious Surface Limitations?
If you’re struggling with impervious surface regulations in Bucks County, Montgomery County, Chester County, or the Main Line, don’t let zoning hold your dream space hostage.
Plant Design Group specializes in turning constraints into opportunities—helping homeowners, contractors, and designers create functional, beautiful, and code-compliant outdoor living environments.Contact us today to start designing your space without limits.
