Atlanta projects can propose permeable resin-bound surfacing toward the City's requirement to manage the first inch of rain with green infrastructure, built as a permeable pavement system: a porous surface over a permeable base such as Rock Crete and an engineered open-graded stone reservoir, with an underdrain where soils drain slowly. City reviewers decide whether it counts. Resurfacing an existing driveway or patio slab doesn't count, because runoff still leaves across the concrete.

The Department of Watershed Management lists permeable pavers among its green infrastructure practices and has lined streets in Peoplestown with permeable pavers. Since the ordinance took effect, the City has permitted nearly 5,200 green infrastructure practices on commercial and residential sites, so reviewers know what a permeable pavement submittal should contain.

Atlanta's post-development stormwater ordinance and the first inch

The City's Post-Development Stormwater Management Ordinance, adopted in 2013 and updated with changes effective December 1, 2020, requires the first inch (1.0 inch) of rain falling on a site to be managed with green infrastructure. It applies to nearly every type of development, including commercial and single-family residential property, and the full text sits in Chapter 74, Article X of the City Code. Design follows the Georgia Stormwater Management Manual, whose 2016 edition covers permeable pavement practices including permeable pavers, pervious concrete and porous asphalt.

The code tells applicants to prioritize vegetated infiltration practices such as bioretention and stormwater planters, with permeable pavements next in line, so the reviewer may ask why bioretention isn't used first. Resin-bound isn't named in that manual, so the engineer will present it as a permeable pavement system and City reviewers will decide whether, and how much, runoff reduction it earns. Plans involving land disturbance need written approval from the Site Development review division before the Office of Buildings issues a building permit, and that's where the decision is made.

We didn't find a separate stormwater utility fee or credit program on DWM's stormwater pages, which describe limited funding from the Municipal Option Sales Tax for stormwater infrastructure. For most Atlanta owners the ordinance, not a fee, is the reason to consider a permeable system.

Clay subsoils, steep lots and combined sewers: design considerations

Much of Atlanta sits on clay-rich Piedmont soils that take water slowly, and infiltration rates can vary widely within a single lot. A permeable resin-bound section here often needs a deeper stone reservoir to hold the first inch and an underdrain or controlled outlet to release what the subsoil won't absorb. Infiltration testing at the depth of the proposed reservoir, not just at the surface, gives the engineer the number that matters.

Slope is the second issue. Intown lots on ridges and creek valleys often need terraced or checked reservoirs so water doesn't race to the low end of the base and break out. Third, older parts of the city still drain to combined sewers. Clean Water Atlanta separated 11 miles of combined sewers downtown, and the City uses green infrastructure for water quality and flood relief in the remaining combined areas, so rain held on site in those basins also eases sewer flows.

Where permeable resin-bound fits in Atlanta

Intown homes in Grant Park, Kirkwood, Inman Park and East Atlanta: new driveways and parking pads on renovation and infill projects that trigger the first-inch rule.
BeltLine-adjacent multifamily and mixed-use: courtyards, paseos and at-grade plazas where space for bioretention is tight.
Midtown and Downtown offices: plaza renovations that can add storage where soils and utilities allow, with overlays kept for areas over structure.
Churches, schools and community facilities: parking stalls and walks paired with conventional drive aisles.
Restaurants and breweries: patios and beer gardens at grade.

For a simple refresh of existing concrete, see concrete resurfacing in Atlanta.

Getting an Atlanta permeable design approved, with Resin Rock's support

Your engineer submits the stormwater design for Site Development review, typically showing first-inch runoff reduction, the infiltration tests behind it, underdrain sizing and a maintenance plan. DWM's stormwater guidelines for single-family residences are a good starting point for homeowners. The reviewer decides how much credit a resin-bound system receives, so don't promise a client the first inch is covered until the plans are approved.

Resin Rock ships the system from Sarasota: UV-stable binder, stone blends, trims and the Rock Crete permeable sub-base, plus technical data sheets for your submittal. We don't install; we train installers and connect Atlanta owners with an approved installer through find an installer.

Before you specify permeable resin-bound in Atlanta

Confirm the project triggers the post-development ordinance and how the first inch will be managed.
Test infiltration at reservoir depth; clay subsoils vary across a lot.
Size an underdrain or controlled outlet if the subsoil drains slowly.
Terrace or check the reservoir on sloped sites.
Find out whether the site drains to a combined sewer area.
Include a maintenance plan in the Site Development package.

Common questions about permeable resin-bound in Atlanta

Does permeable resin-bound count toward Atlanta's first-inch requirement?

It can, if it's designed as a permeable pavement system with a stone reservoir and, where needed, an underdrain, and City reviewers accept it. The ordinance requires the first inch of rain to be managed with green infrastructure, and DWM lists permeable pavers among those practices. Resin-bound isn't named, so expect a design-specific review.

My lot is clay. Is permeable paving pointless?

No, but it changes the design. On slow-draining clay, the reservoir stores the first inch and releases what the soil can't absorb through an underdrain or controlled outlet, so the system still cuts and delays runoff. Your engineer sizes the reservoir and outlet from infiltration tests taken at the bottom of the proposed base.

Is there an Atlanta stormwater fee credit for permeable surfaces?

We didn't find one. DWM's stormwater pages describe funding from the Municipal Option Sales Tax rather than a separate stormwater fee with credits. For Atlanta projects, the post-development ordinance is the main reason to choose a permeable system, so design to satisfy the Site Development reviewer rather than a billing department.

Official sources for Atlanta

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 Atlanta, GA