Wake County, NC Landscaping Rules: Artificial Turf (2026)
Key Facts
- Turf counted as impervious?
- No, if over pervious base
- Requirement
- Per manufacturer's specifications
- Governing section
- UDO § 21-11
- Relevance
- Affects lot coverage limits
Summary
Wake County does not count artificial turf as impervious surface when it's installed over a pervious base per the manufacturer's specifications, easing stormwater coverage limits for yards.
Impervious Surface means any surface, or built-upon area, that obstructs or prevents infiltration of water into soil. None of the following surfaces shall be considered built-upon area or an impervious or partially impervious surface. ... 6. Artificial turf, installed over a pervious surface according to the manufacturer's specifications.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Unified Development Ordinance: Supplement 9).
Full Breakdown
UDO Sec. 21-11 defines Impervious Surface as any surface that obstructs infiltration of water, but excludes several materials from that count: including artificial turf, installed over a pervious surface according to the manufacturer's specifications. That means turf installed correctly doesn't count against a lot's impervious surface coverage limits used in watershed and stormwater standards elsewhere in the UDO.
Violations & Fines
Turf installed without a qualifying pervious base gets counted as impervious surface, which can push a lot over its coverage limit and trigger stormwater or watershed compliance issues under the applicable district standards.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does artificial turf count against my impervious surface limit in Wake County?
Do I need a permit just to install artificial turf?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Wake County
How Wake County compares: Most Artificial Turf-Friendly Cities·Compare Wake County to another location·View the North Carolina landscaping rules overview
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