Commission splits on whether pools should count as impervious surface in LDRs

County staff proposed that pools be treated as pervious for impervious-area calculations because pools can act as temporary retention during storm events. Commissioners expressed mixed views: some said pools function like retention between storms and should not count against impervious limits, while others worried the change would benefit developers and complicate enforcement of surrounding pavers and borders.

One commissioner noted that pools are rarely installed by developers and more often by individual homeowners, raising enforcement concerns about post-inspection additions such as paver borders. Staff said only the pool surface itself would be treated as pervious; pool surrounds (pavers, concrete) would still count toward impervious totals. “The pool surround will still count. Any pavers, concrete, anything like that will still count towards your impervious,” staff said. Commissioners agreed to solicit additional feedback before moving to a vote.

The board tabled further action on this item to gather input from planning staff and possibly other local jurisdictions before deciding whether to change the impervious-area treatment for pools in the LDRs.