Smart Site Design for a Growing County
As Wake County continues to experience rapid population and commercial growth, sustainable development practices have become essential, not optional. With increasing scrutiny on stormwater runoff, water quality, and impervious surface coverage, developers are under pressure to balance performance, compliance, and long-term sustainability.
Pervious concrete has emerged as a practical, code-compliant solution for managing stormwater on-site while still meeting structural and aesthetic goals. This article outlines how pervious concrete fits into Wake County’s development regulations and how it can benefit your next civil or commercial project.
What Is Pervious Concrete?
Pervious concrete is a high-void, permeable pavement system designed to allow water to pass through its surface and into the underlying base. Unlike traditional concrete, it contains little to no fine aggregate, which creates open voids for water infiltration.
Functionally, it serves dual roles: load-bearing pavement and stormwater management tool. It’s commonly used in parking lots, sidewalks, trails, and low-traffic roads, especially in developments where impervious surface limits or stormwater retention are a concern.
Certified Concrete Construction has installed pervious concrete throughout the Triangle region and understands the technical requirements specific to Wake County municipalities.
Understanding Wake County Development Regulations
Wake County, in coordination with the North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality (NCDEQ) and local municipalities, enforces strict standards around stormwater management. Key regulatory focus areas include:
- Limits on impervious surface coverage
- Peak runoff mitigation to maintain pre-development hydrology
- Water quality treatment for pollutants in the first flush
Developers must comply with these requirements as part of site plan approvals and permits, particularly in municipalities like Raleigh, Cary, and Apex. Meeting these standards often requires innovative approaches to reduce runoff volume and improve infiltration.
How Pervious Concrete Helps Meet Compliance
Pervious concrete systems reduce the need for separate underground detention structures by allowing water to infiltrate directly through the pavement into a stone reservoir below. This simplifies stormwater infrastructure while maintaining compliance with runoff and volume control requirements.
The material also supports Low-Impact Development (LID) and Green Infrastructure strategies by managing stormwater close to the source and improving filtration of pollutants like hydrocarbons and sediment.
Use Cases for Pervious Concrete in Wake County
Pervious concrete offers versatility across a wide range of applications:
- Commercial parking lots and drive aisles where impervious area must be minimized
- Residential subdivision sidewalks and greenway trails
- Public infrastructure such as bus stops, parks, and open space pathways
- Mixed-use developments where pervious surfaces can serve as perimeter paths or overflow parking
These installations help developers gain site plan approvals while contributing to long-term environmental resilience.
Design and Installation Best Practices
Effective pervious concrete performance depends on proper design and installation. Key considerations include:
- Subgrade soil infiltration rates
- Reservoir depth and stone gradation
- Concrete Mix Design
- Proper jointing, curing, and edge restraint
- Ongoing vacuum maintenance to prevent clogging and preserve infiltration
Certified Concrete Construction works closely with civil engineers to ensure that each system meets Wake County and municipal engineering requirements, from initial layout to final pour.
Why Local Expertise Matters
Navigating Wake County’s development codes requires a contractor with both technical knowledge and local experience. Certified Concrete Construction brings a track record of successful projects across Raleigh, Durham, Chapel Hill, and surrounding areas, ensuring your project aligns with both regulatory and performance expectations.
Build Smarter with Pervious Concrete
Pervious concrete is a proven, cost-effective tool for managing stormwater while staying compliant with Wake County regulations. By integrating it early in the design phase, developers can reduce infrastructure costs, improve project sustainability, and simplify approval processes.
Contact Certified Concrete Construction to discuss how pervious concrete can be integrated into your next Wake County development.
