Permeable resin-bound surfacing can serve as a stormwater practice in Annapolis when it is designed as permeable pavement over a stone reservoir with enough separation from the water table, and when the City's Department of Public Works (DPW) accepts it in the stormwater plan. On a peninsula where most lots sit close to tidal water, that separation decides more projects than the surface does.

Poured over an existing concrete walk or an asphalt parking pad, resin-bound is a cosmetic upgrade: water crosses the surface and still runs off the slab toward Spa Creek or Back Creek. Annapolis also asks for more storage than the state minimum, so size the reservoir with the City's numbers, not generic ones.

Chapter 17.10, the extra 25%, and the City's utility fee

Stormwater management in Annapolis falls under Chapter 17.10 of the City Code. Disturbing 5,000 square feet, or 2,000 square feet of waterfront land, requires a grading permit and stormwater management, and so does any new single-family home. Per the City's stormwater regulations page, runoff volume is based on the one-year storm, 2.7 inches over 24 hours under the Maryland Stormwater Design Manual, adjusted for local infiltration testing, and DPW policy adds 25% to the State requirement.

Within those rules Maryland's Environmental Site Design approach applies, and permeable pavement is one of the alternative surfaces the MDE manual recognizes. The City publishes owner maintenance guidance for permeable pavement: the owner is responsible for upkeep, should clean with a leaf blower rather than sanding, resealing or power washing, and should vacuum sweep annually.

The City bills a stormwater utility fee on impervious surface, with four tiers for commercial properties, and its rate schedule lists a credit amount beside each tier. Ask DPW what a property must show to receive that credit, and whether a resin-bound permeable section would count, before relying on it in a budget.

Tidal creeks, shallow groundwater and the Critical Area

Annapolis sits on Coastal Plain sands and silts between the Severn River, College Creek, Spa Creek and Back Creek. Sandy soils can infiltrate well, but low lots near the water often have groundwater close to the surface. MDE's permeable pavement criteria require the reservoir bottom to sit at least four feet above the seasonal high water table, so on many waterfront and downtown sites permeable pavement won't meet MDE's criteria. A lined or underdrained section doesn't change that rule, so it would need DPW's agreement; otherwise plan a different practice.

Tidal flooding around City Dock and low streets in Eastport adds a second issue: a reservoir that fills from below at high tide stores nothing when rain arrives. Much of the city also lies within the Chesapeake Bay Critical Area, where lot coverage limits and buffer rules shape what can be paved at all, so confirm Critical Area requirements with the City before design.

MDE also keeps permeable pavement off stormwater hotspots with higher hydrocarbon or metals loads, which matters for boatyards, fuel docks and marina service areas.

Where permeable resin-bound fits in Annapolis

Courtyards, garden paths and rear patios in the Historic District, where a natural-stone finish suits the streetscape and visible changes go through historic preservation review.
Driveways and parking pads for new homes in Eastport, West Annapolis and Wardour, since every new single-family home already needs stormwater management.
Condominium and townhouse walkways along Spa Creek and Back Creek, where small treatment areas spread across a site help meet the City's volume.
Office, retail and church lots along West Street and Forest Drive, where impervious area sets the commercial fee tier.

Marina parking may work on dry upland ground; fueling and boat maintenance areas should stay on conventional, contained pavement.

Working through City review, and how Resin Rock helps

Grading and stormwater plans are reviewed by the City, with DPW setting the stormwater policy that sits on top of the MDE manual. Bring infiltration results, the seasonal high water table elevation, a reservoir sized with the City's added volume, and a maintenance plan. MDE's manual describes porous asphalt, pervious concrete and permeable interlocking concrete pavers as the basic permeable pavement types, so expect questions about how a resin-bound course performs and is maintained.

Resin Rock is a manufacturer-supplier and doesn't install. We supply the UV-stable binder, natural stone blends, trims and the Rock Crete permeable sub-base, provide technical data sheets for the plan set, and train and approve installers. Use find an installer to be matched with an approved installer, usually within 24 hours, and contractors can apply for our Maryland installer training.

Before you specify permeable resin-bound in Annapolis

Check whether the work disturbs 5,000 sq ft, or 2,000 sq ft of waterfront land, or includes a new single-family home.
Establish the seasonal high water table before choosing an infiltrating section.
Size storage with DPW's added 25% over the State requirement.
Confirm Critical Area lot coverage and buffer limits for the parcel.
Keep permeable sections away from fueling and boat maintenance areas.
Plan annual vacuum sweeping and blower cleaning per the City's maintenance guidance.

Common questions about permeable resin-bound in Annapolis

Does Annapolis require stormwater management for a single new house?

Yes. The City's regulations page says any new single-family home requires stormwater management, as do projects disturbing 5,000 square feet or 2,000 square feet of waterfront land. A permeable resin-bound driveway over a properly sized reservoir can be one of the practices in that plan if DPW accepts the design and the water table allows it.

Why might permeable pavement not work on my waterfront lot?

Separation from groundwater. MDE requires the bottom of the stone reservoir to sit at least four feet above the seasonal high water table, and many lots near Spa Creek, Back Creek and City Dock have water closer than that. A lined or underdrained section doesn't change that rule, so it would need DPW's agreement; otherwise an engineer will choose a different practice where groundwater is shallow.

How should I maintain a permeable surface in Annapolis?

The City's guidance puts maintenance on the owner: keep the surface free of weeds and debris, confirm it drains between storms, clean with a leaf blower rather than sanding, resealing or power washing, and vacuum sweep annually. In winter, avoid harsh deicing chemicals and don't store plowed snow on the permeable area.

Official sources for Annapolis

Local rules change. We last checked these sources in October 2026. Confirm current requirements with the reviewing agency before you design, and treat this page as a starting point, not engineering or permitting advice.

Permeable Resin-Bound Surfacing in Annapolis, MD