In both Harrisburg and Lower Paxton Township, pervious pavement is named in the local stormwater fee programs, so a permeable resin-bound section built on an open-graded stone infiltration bed with Rock Crete or another permeable base on top can be put forward for credit, subject to the reviewing engineer's acceptance of the design. In the city, a practice built only to meet the stormwater rules for new pavement earns no CRW credit. Over an existing slab, it is still billed as impervious area.

The two programs are run by different bodies. Capital Region Water (CRW) handles stormwater in the City of Harrisburg, where about 60% of the city drains to combined sewers. The Lower Paxton Township Authority (LPTA) bills the suburban township to the east. Paxton Creek links the two, and both drain to the Susquehanna River and the Chesapeake Bay.

Two fee programs that both name pervious pavement

In the city, CRW's stormwater fee took effect October 1, 2020, and is based on impervious area. Its fee credit form lists pervious pavement with an infiltration bed under volume controls and green infrastructure, the category worth up to 50%. Peak rate controls earn 10% to 40% depending on the storm managed, and properties in the 100-year or 500-year floodplain can add an overlay credit. CRW reviews stormwater plans for any change in impervious surface and encourages a pre-application meeting.

In the township, LPTA's Credit and Incentive Policy Manual sets one ERU at 3,400 square feet and caps credits at 45%. Structural practices built to the Chapter 170 stormwater ordinance can earn up to 15% each for peak rate, volume and water quality, with a maintenance agreement and a stormwater easement. More directly, pervious pavement or pavers installed as part of a structural BMP in a land development plan, with an existing operation and maintenance agreement, is not assessed the fee and is not counted as impervious area.

Floodplains, karst and Chesapeake sediment targets

The Susquehanna riverfront and the Paxton Creek corridor flood, which is why CRW offers a floodplain overlay credit. In the city's combined area, large storms send overflows into Paxton Creek and the river, so water infiltrated on site relieves the system directly. Lower Paxton spends its fee on projects that reduce sediment and streambank erosion in Paxton Creek, the same Bay-driven goal behind its joint pollutant reduction plan.

Below ground, LPTA's manual tells applicants to investigate karst hazards, soils and infiltration where applicable. Carbonate bedrock in parts of the area can form sinkholes under concentrated infiltration, while shale uplands drain slowly, so the project engineer may need lined or underdrained sections in some places and wider, shallower beds in others. Freeze-thaw and road salt are routine; specify vacuum maintenance and no winter sanding.

Where it fits in the Harrisburg area

Midtown and Uptown rowhouse yards: small city lots where infiltrating on site reduces flow to Harrisburg's sewers.
Riverfront and floodplain properties: sites that may qualify for CRW's floodplain overlay credit if they manage and directly discharge stormwater.
Lower Paxton commercial corridors: retail and office lots along Union Deposit Road and Jonestown Road, where large ERU counts make credits matter.
Townhome communities: shared parking and walks built under land development plans with maintenance agreements.

Approvals and what Resin Rock provides

In Harrisburg, CRW reviews stormwater management plans and credit requests under its Wastewater and Stormwater Rules and Regulations. In Lower Paxton, plans go through the township's land development process under Chapter 170, and credit applications go to LPTA, with engineer certification where required and photos and maintenance logs at renewal. Agree the section, test results and maintenance plan with the reviewer before you build.

Resin Rock supplies binder, stone blends, trims and the Rock Crete permeable sub-base, with technical data sheets for the submittal. We do not install. Find an installer to be matched with an approved installer, usually within 24 hours, or see Pennsylvania installer training.

Before you specify permeable resin-bound in Harrisburg and Lower Paxton

Confirm whether the property is billed by Capital Region Water or the Lower Paxton Township Authority.
Book a pre-application meeting with CRW, or ask LPTA's engineer, before design.
Check for carbonate bedrock and test infiltration at the bed depth.
In Lower Paxton, tie the pervious pavement to a land development plan and maintenance agreement.
Check floodplain status for CRW's overlay credit.

Common questions about permeable resin-bound in Harrisburg and Lower Paxton

Will a permeable driveway in Lower Paxton stop being billed as impervious?

LPTA's manual says pervious pavement installed as part of a structural BMP for a land development plan, with an existing operation and maintenance agreement, is not assessed the fee or counted as impervious area. A homeowner project outside that process would go through the credit application instead. Ask LPTA how a resin-bound surface will be treated before building.

How large a credit can a Harrisburg property get from CRW?

CRW lists up to 50% for volume controls and green infrastructure, including pervious pavement with an infiltration bed, and 10% to 40% for peak rate controls. Credits apply to existing impervious area; a practice built only to meet the rules for new pavement earns no credit unless it manages extra runoff. Floodplain properties can add an overlay credit, and the credit is prorated to the impervious area the practice manages.

Do I need to worry about sinkholes?

In parts of the region, yes. LPTA's manual tells applicants to investigate karst hazards, soils and infiltration where applicable. Where carbonate bedrock is present, the project engineer may spread infiltration over a wider, shallower bed, add a liner or underdrain, or move storage away from known features. Geotechnical work should come before the base is sized.

Official sources for Harrisburg and Lower Paxton

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 Harrisburg / Lower Paxton, PA