Residents and hardscape installers can take advantage of an ordinance change that promotes the use of pervious and permeable surfacing over traditional impervious surfacing in West Lake Hills, Texas.

The city of West Lake Hills, Texas, has signed off on an ordinance change that encourages residents to install pervious concrete in their driveways.

During a June 12 meeting, the City Council voted 3-2 to change the city's definition of impervious material, creating an exception for permeable pavement used in residential installations.

Permeable concrete was previously denied by the city code as a solution for water management, "regardless of how much water [the pavers] allow to pass through to natural ground." The code has been revised to include permeable concrete or pavement as a 75 percent impervious surface. This will allow residents to add 25 percent more impervious cover to their properties if certified permeable surfaces are installed.

"I'm saying yes, you get to have a larger house or more impermeable stuff elsewhere you're using permeable concrete," Mayor Dave Claunch said at the meeting, per the Austin Statesman.

The decision is an attempt to decrease water runoff from driveways, which is a common problem in West Lake Hills, where many driveways run up steep slopes.

View the full text of the ordinance change here.