Decks & Patios In Upper Dublin: Stormwater‑Smart Design

Spring downpours in Fort Washington can turn a simple backyard project into a drainage headache. If you are planning a new deck or patio, you want it to look great, meet Township rules, and keep water out of your basement and off the street. The good news: with the right design choices, you can enjoy more outdoor living while lowering runoff and staying permit‑ready. This guide shows you how to build stormwater‑smart in Upper Dublin, with local rules, practical options, and a simple step‑by‑step plan. Let’s dive in.

Why stormwater‑smart matters here

Much of Upper Dublin drains to the Wissahickon Creek, so what happens in your yard affects local streams. The Township and regional partners focus on reducing runoff and pollution, and your project can help. Smart deck and patio design reduces yard puddling, protects your foundation, and supports local watershed goals.

For context, Upper Dublin has a dedicated Stormwater Management Ordinance that promotes low‑impact design and on‑lot solutions. You will see these ideas throughout this guide.

Know the Upper Dublin rules first

Upper Dublin’s Stormwater Management rules set performance standards, encourage low‑impact development, and outline plan and permit steps you must follow. Review the Township’s stormwater chapter for the overall framework and homeowner requirements in Chapter 206 Stormwater Management.

• Pervious patios and impervious totals: The Township defines impervious surface in a way that helps homeowners. Patios built with pervious materials are not considered impervious under the code. See the exact definition in §206‑22 Terms defined.
• Small decks that may not count as impervious: Zoning allows an elevated wood deck up to 200 square feet, constructed over pervious ground with spaced planks, to be excluded from impervious calculations. Review details in §255‑39.1 Decks.
• Permit requirement for uncovered decks: Upper Dublin requires building permits for all uncovered decks. Confirm current requirements through Pennsylvania’s UCC municipal code changes page at pa.gov.
• Simplified stormwater plan for single‑family projects: One‑ and two‑family projects often qualify for a streamlined review, but you still need a simplified plan and Township Engineer approval before permits are issued. See the exemption path in §206‑42 Exemptions.

Tip: Start with a quick call to the Building Department and Township Engineer before you sketch a layout. It can save time and prevent rework.

Design strategies that work in Fort Washington

Reduce footprint and disconnect water

Keep your outdoor area compact. Consider an elevated deck instead of a large slab so rainfall can soak into the ground below. Use stepping stones or narrow paths to connect spaces rather than continuous pavement. Also, route downspouts onto lawns or into landscape features instead of driveways.

Choose pervious surfaces for patios

Permeable interlocking pavers on an engineered stone base, grid or grass pavers, and gravel or crushed‑stone patios let rain soak in and cut runoff. These options are widely recommended as on‑lot practices for homeowners. For an overview of pervious options that work at home scale, review this residential guide from a conservation group: stormwater‑friendly surfaces.

Installation basics matter. Specify the correct base depth for your soil, include geotextile where required, and keep joints clean so water continues to infiltrate.

Capture, infiltrate, and green it

• Rain barrels or cisterns: Capturing roof runoff at a nearby downspout is a simple way to reduce flow and build a free water supply for gardens. See the overview of common practices in EPA’s green infrastructure page.
• Rain gardens/bioretention: A shallow, planted basin with amended soil can take roof and patio runoff, filter pollutants, and recharge groundwater. Penn State Extension’s guide to rain gardens and bioretention is a practical resource for sizing, soils, and plant lists.
• Dry wells or infiltration trenches: Where soils and setbacks allow, these below‑grade features store and infiltrate runoff from downspouts or patios. Size them to your soil’s infiltration rate and locate them away from foundations.

Site realities to check

• Soil: Heavy clay limits infiltration, so consider a thicker engineered base, an underdrain in bioretention, or more rain harvesting.
• Setbacks and safety: Keep infiltration features away from foundations, wells, septic areas, and utilities. Follow Township guidance on locations.
• Long‑term care: Green infrastructure works best with simple maintenance like clearing leaves, refreshing paver joints, and weeding rain gardens. EPA notes that ongoing upkeep is part of performance for these systems. See EPA on overcoming maintenance barriers for context.

A simple Fort Washington plan: step by step

1. Pre‑design and mapping

• Call the Upper Dublin Building Department and Township Engineer to confirm permits, plan submittals, and any reviews your project needs. Uncovered decks require a building permit.
• Sketch your lot. Mark slopes, existing drains, utilities, wells or septic, and where water flows during storms. Note any nearby stream areas tied to the Wissahickon watershed. For local watershed context and homeowner tips, see Lower Gwynedd’s stormwater page.

2. Choose the right approach

• Prefer an elevated deck with board spacing over pervious ground if you want to avoid adding impervious coverage, subject to the 200 square foot zoning rule and all other code requirements.
• For patios, favor permeable pavers or a gravel patio. If you need a concrete or stone surface, pair it with a rain garden downslope to capture runoff.

3. Prepare a simple stormwater plan

• Show the footprint, materials, runoff direction, and the on‑lot practices you will use. Single‑family projects often use the Township’s simplified approach. See §206‑42 Exemptions for what to expect.

4. Permits and approvals

• Submit your building permit application and the simplified stormwater plan or notes the Township Engineer requests. Do not start work until approvals are issued.

5. Build with the right specs

• Hire contractors with experience in permeable pavements or rain garden construction when those are part of the design. For rain gardens, specify an engineered soil mix and an overflow route that moves water away from the house.

6. Maintain for performance

• Keep a short seasonal checklist: clear debris from inlets, vacuum or brush permeable joints if they clog, and weed and mulch the rain garden.

7. Explore local help

• Check for county conservation district resources and watershed programs that sometimes offer technical help or homeowner workshops related to the Wissahickon.

Smart specs and examples

• Deck design: To take advantage of the impervious exclusion for small decks, keep the footprint at or below 200 square feet, use spaced deck boards, and build above pervious ground. Confirm zoning and building details with the Township.
• Patio options: Combine a compact permeable paver patio with an adjacent rain garden. Or use a gravel seating area with edging and a rain barrel on the nearest downspout.
• Downspout routing: Direct downspouts onto lawn, into a rain garden, or into a dry well. Avoid sending water to the driveway or street where it becomes runoff.
• Sizing tip: Match rain garden area and stone base depths to your soil conditions and the roof or patio area that drains to it. Penn State Extension’s guidance offers practical sizing cues.

Common mistakes to avoid

• Starting work before permits or reviews are complete.
• Increasing impervious area unnecessarily when a pervious patio or small elevated deck could meet your needs.
• Putting infiltration features too close to foundations or utilities.
• Skipping ongoing maintenance. Even simple green features need periodic care to keep working.

Ready to sell or remodel?

A stormwater‑smart deck or patio can improve daily living and show well when it is time to list. If you are considering projects before selling, we can help you think through timing, compliance, and which upgrades resonate with Fort Washington buyers. Reach out to Sean Ryan for local guidance and connections to trusted pros.

FAQs

Do pervious patios count as impervious surface in Upper Dublin?

• No. Patios built with pervious materials are not considered impervious under the Township’s definition in §206‑22.

Are small elevated decks counted as impervious area in Fort Washington?

• An elevated wood deck up to 200 square feet with spaced planks over pervious ground is not counted as impervious under §255‑39.1 Decks, subject to all zoning and construction requirements.

Do I need a building permit for an uncovered deck in Upper Dublin?

• Yes. The Township requires building permits for all uncovered decks; confirm current rules through Pennsylvania’s UCC page at pa.gov.

What stormwater plan is required for a single‑family deck or patio project?

• Many single‑family projects use a simplified stormwater plan reviewed by the Township Engineer before permits are issued, as noted in §206‑42 Exemptions.

What are good stormwater‑smart patio materials for Fort Washington soils?

• Permeable pavers on an engineered stone base, grid or grass pavers, and gravel patios are proven homeowner options; see this overview of stormwater‑friendly surfaces for ideas and maintenance tips.