Modern backyard with a pool and patio, promoting hard landscaping exemption engineering in King Township.

Hard Landscaping Exemption Services – King City

Stormwater Reports, Drainage Plans & Engineering Support

Planning a pool, patio, interlock driveway, retaining wall, or other hard landscaping improvements in King Township?

Mooreview Development Management provides professional engineering services to support Hard Landscaping Exemption applications throughout:

King City
Nobleton
Schomberg
Rural King Township

Our Services Include

✔ Stormwater Management Reports
✔ Drainage & Grading Plans
✔ Hard Landscaping Calculations
✔ Pool Permit Engineering
✔ Engineering Certification Letters
✔ Municipal Coordination Support

What is a Hard Landscaping Exemption?

King Township limits the amount of hard landscaping permitted on residential lots to help manage stormwater runoff and maintain proper drainage conditions.

Hard landscaping generally includes impervious or constructed surfaces such as driveways, patios, rooftops, retaining walls, cabanas, sheds, walkways, and some artificial turf. These surfaces reduce infiltration and can increase runoff across residential properties.

Where proposed hard surfaces exceed permitted limits, the Township may require engineering review and approval through a hard landscaping exemption process to ensure neighbouring properties and drainage systems are not negatively impacted.

When Is Engineering Required?

Engineering review and design is commonly required where:

Hard landscaping exceeds the Township’s permitted coverage threshold
Existing drainage patterns are altered
Grading modifications are required
Stormwater runoff to neighbouring properties may increase

Within King Township, single detached residential properties are generally limited to a maximum hard landscaping coverage of 60% of the total lot area.

Where proposed or existing hard landscaping exceeds the permitted threshold, the Township may require a Hard Landscaping Exemption application supported by engineering review and stormwater analysis.

We prepare the required engineering drawings and supporting documentation to assist with municipal review and approval.

Why Drainage Matters

Excess hard landscaping can increase runoff and contribute to:

Backyard flooding
Surface ponding
Drainage disputes
Water impacts to neighbouring properties

Our engineering approach focuses on maintaining proper drainage while supporting your proposed landscaping improvements.

Our Engineering Approach

Mooreview commonly assists with pool permits, interlock patios, driveway expansions, rear yard hardscape projects, cabanas, walkways, and projects where added hard surfaces may increase runoff or exceed permitted hard landscaping coverage.

Each property presents unique drainage constraints, grading conditions, and stormwater considerations. Our engineering review may include:

Existing drainage assessment
Hard landscaping area calculations
Stormwater runoff analysis
Peak flow assessment
Grading review
Low Impact Development (LID) design
Drainage mitigation recommendations

Where appropriate, we assess runoff impacts associated with the increase in impervious area and evaluate whether stormwater controls are necessary to maintain acceptable drainage performance.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why do municipalities limit hard landscaping?

A Hard Landscaping Exemption is approval from the municipality to exceed the maximum permitted hard surface coverage on your property. Hard surfaces include patios, walkways, driveways, decks, sports courts, and other impermeable surfaces.

What counts as hard landscaping?

Hard landscaping typically includes:

Concrete or interlock patios
Driveways
Walkways
Retaining walls
Sports courts
Artificial turf (in some municipalities)
Sheds and accessory structures

Each municipality may define hard landscaping differently.

How do I know if I need a Hard Landscaping Exemption?

If your proposed patio, driveway, or other improvements will cause your property to exceed the municipality's maximum permitted hard landscaping percentage, you will likely require an exemption.

Is artificial turf considered hard landscaping in King Township?

Yes. Artificial turf is generally considered hard landscaping by the Township. While some artificial turf systems may allow infiltration, this depends on the specific materials and installation methods used, and may require engineering review to confirm acceptable drainage performance before it can be treated as softscape.

I want to install a pool. Will I need a Hard Landscaping Exemption?

Possibly. Many pool projects exceed the allowable hard landscaping limit once the surrounding concrete, walkways, driveway, existing rooftop, cabana structures, and equipment pads are included.

Do I need engineering drawings for a pool permit in King City?

Depending on the proposed work and site conditions, drainage review, grading plans, or engineering drawings may be required to support municipal review and approval.

Will a Hard Landscaping Exemption delay my pool project?

It can if not addressed early. Preparing the required engineering documentation before construction helps avoid delays and potential enforcement issues.

What is included in Mooreview Development's service?

Our service typically includes:

Site review
Hard landscaping calculations
Stormwater Management Report
Drainage Plan
Engineer's Certification Letter
Permit application coordination with the municipality

Will my neighbors be affected?

A properly designed system ensures runoff from your property is managed appropriately and does not negatively impact adjacent properties.

Do I need a survey?

In most cases, yes. A survey or detailed site information is required to accurately assess existing and proposed conditions. We can do these surveys if it is needed

How long does the process take?

Most engineering packages can be prepared within 1–3 weeks depending on project complexity and survey requirements. Municipal review timelines vary.