[Objective] Studying the characteristics and permeability of commonly used green soil in Tianjin City, in order to provide theoretical basis for the design and promotion with application of low elevation greenbelt in Tianjin City.[Methods] Different functional areas and different vegetation types(lawn, shrubs) of soil were selected to study soil particle composition, bulk density, porosity and permeability coefficient and to analyze the correlation among soil properties.[Results] The functional areas belonged to silty clay except for the old residential with silty soil. Affected by artificial disturbance, the green soil had greater bulk density, low porosity and severe soil compation. Soil bulk density was 1.34~1.55 g/cm³, soil porosity was 42.50%~52.80%. There were significant differences in permeability coefficient of each functional area, the range was 8.8E-06~1.3E-03 cm/s, the size trend was mainly influenced by artificial factors, ranked as follows:cultural and educational zone > residential zone > industrial zone > suburban forest zone > park zone > traffic zone; Vegetation type had an influence on soil permeability coefficient. The permeability coefficient of soil was negatively correlated with soil moisture content and soil bulk density, positive correlation with soil porosity. Soil bulk density was significantly negatively correlated with soil porosity.[Conclusion] The soil compaction is serious in Tianjin City, the lawn and shrub of soil is dominated by weak permeable water and medium permeable water.