Latest LID Update

Consideration of LID Ordinance at Energy & Environment Council Committee

Due to a scheduling conflict, the proposed Low Impact Development (LID) Ordinance will not be considered by the Energy and Environmental Council Committee at their July 20, 2010 meeting. The Committee will schedule the LID Ordinance for a future meeting once the City Council returns in September from their recess.

We apologize for any inconvenience this may have caused and will continue to notify you as early as possible about upcoming LID Ordinance-related meetings.

If you would like to receive regular email updates, please send us your email address.

Section II: LID Resources

Final Proposed Draft LID Ordinance

The Bureau of Sanitation would like to thank you for the excellent feedback and comments regarding the proposed Low Impact Development Ordinance. We greatly appreciate the time and effort everyone has put into reviewing the draft ordinance and providing valuable insight to develop a workable and flexible ordinance.

The Board of Public Works approved the LID Ordinance on January 15, 2010; The proposed Low Impact Development Ordinance and related documents are available below.

LID Board Report

Transmittal 1 - Ordinance (as approved by the Board of Public Works)

Transmittal 2 - 8

For ongoing updates about the LID Ordinance, please visit our blog or join our Stormwater Facebook Fan Page. And, of course, you can always send us your comments and concerns at lastormwater@lacity.org.

1.	Water Quality Compliance Master Plan for Urban Runoff (April 2009) This master plan outlines the City’s strategies for compliance with water quality regulations and was adopted by the Board of Public Works in April 2009. LID is one of the proposed strategies to improve the quality of the City’s waters.
2.	Green Infrastructure for Los Angeles: Addressing Urban Runoff and Water Supply through Low Impact Development (April 2009) This report examines LID for the City of Los Angeles and potential steps for instituting city-wide LID programs or projects to address many of the environmental concerns, especially those related to water management. It’s a great starting point to get more familiar with LID and what it could mean for Los Angeles.
3.	City of Los Angeles Green Design Standards (in development) This document will provide the details and standard plans for designing LID applications in streets, alleys, residential properties, and open spaces such as parks. This document is a work in progress: it was started in July 2009 and revisions will be made available on a biweekly basis. Standard plans are pending the final approval of several City departments and may be subject to change. Introduction Purpose of Manual Infiltration Requirements and Restrictions City’s LID Plan Approval Process Relevant Regulations Standard Plans: Streets Standard Plans: Alleys Standard Plans: Residential Properties Standard Plans: Open Space
4.	SUSMP Brochure (July 2009) The final draft of this brochure has been completed and will be made available soon.
5.	Development Best Management Practices Handbook; Part B Planning Activities (June 2004) This document provides guidance to comply with the requirements of the Development Planning Program regulations of the City’s Watershed Protection Program, including SUSMP. While this handbook primarily targets developers, Appendix G provides examples, fact sheets, and design standards of Best Management Practices for source control and treatment of stormwater. Some of these BMPs can be used at home.
6.	L.A. Rainwater Harvesting Program A typical Los Angeles home directs about 14,000 gallons of rainwater through its downspouts into the storm drain system every year. While collecting pollutants on the way, this water ultimately gets to Santa Monica Bay and pollutes our beaches. The L.A. Rainwater Harvesting Program is a pilot program that provides free rainwater harvesting installation for 600 property owners in the targeted neighborhoods by Fall of 2009. By capturing the roof rainwater and using it for lawn and garden irrigation, pollution will be reduced and water will be conserved. Ultimately, it is the goal that the pilot program will be expanded throughout the City.
7.	Green Streets Info (in development)
8.	Other resources: Several cities and agencies have developed manuals and other informational resources for urban runoff management including LID, landscaping tips and other tips for in and around the house. The following links are some good examples: Ocean Friendly Gardens: CPR-Conservation, Permeability, and Retention (Surfrider Foundation) Rainwater as a Resource: A report on Three Sites Demonstrating Sustainable Stormwater Management (TreePeople) County of San Diego Low Impact Development Manual Handbook Appendixes At the Source: Design Guidance Manual for Stormwater Quality Protection (Bay Area Stormwater Management Agencies Association) Florida-Friendly Landscaping Program (University of Florida) Low Impact Development Design Strategies: An Integrated Design Approach (Prince George's County, Maryland) Low Impact Development (Puget Sound Partnership) The Practice of Low Impact Development (US Dept of Housing and Urban Development) Catching the Rain: A Great Lakes Resource Guide for Natural Stormwater Management (American Rivers) Urban Best Management Practices for Non-Point Source Pollution (Wyoming Dept of Environmental Quality) Rooftops to Rivers: Green Strategy for Controlling Stormwater and Combined Sewer Overflow (National Resources Defense Council)

If you'd like to receive regular updates regarding the LID ordinance and handbook, please let us know.

Soliciting Input on the Draft and Proposed Work in Progress

Stormwater pollution, water shortages, flood control, climate change, and the availability of natural green space have all become pressing environmental issues for cities around the nation including the City of Los Angeles. Many of these environmental concerns can be addressed by Low Impact Development (LID).

LID can be described as the use of practices that encourage site sustainability and smart growth in a manner that respects and preserves the characteristics of the City’s watersheds, drainage paths, water supplies, and natural resources. Or in simpler wording: bringing nature back to our City to help with urban runoff management, water conservation, and improving the quality of the City’s waters. LID reduces the impact from urban development and provides the benefits of:

	Replenishing groundwater supplies
	Improving the quality of surface water runoff
	Stabilizing natural stream characteristics
	Preserving natural site characteristics, and
	Minimizing downstream impacts.

There are many ways we can increase groundwater supplies and prevent stormwater from flowing to our storm drains and polluting our rivers and oceans. The key to effective LID is to capture urban runoff and use it on the site for infiltration, irrigation and other beneficial uses before it enters the storm drain system. We can do this in and around our homes, as well as in our streets, alleys, parks and other open spaces throughout the City.

The information provided here contains links to design standards, guidelines suggestions and additional reading about incorporating LID use in Los Angeles. This information is to assist home-owners, developers, planners, engineers, landscape designers, and anyone else that is interested or professionally involved with the development and redevelopment of Los Angeles.

With this information, we hope to encourage everyone to make a difference and embrace LID as a way to improve the quality of life in Los Angeles. LID is a relatively new concept, but is gaining acceptance rapidly throughout the nation. This website will be frequently updated as new information becomes available. For any questions, please feel free to email staff and use the Subject Title "LID Info."