What to know
- Low Impact Development (LID) rules apply to all new construction and large expansion projects in the City of Los Angeles in order to protect the Los Angeles River and the Pacific Ocean from toxic urban runoff..
- Our regulations ensure that stormwater is captured naturally in your soil instead of flooding city storm drains.
- You must secure a signed Plan Check Clearance before your building permits can be officially approved.
- Property owners, developers, and engineers all follow the same baseline submission process.
- Bring a current utility bill and a valid state photo identification (ID) to verify your local project residency.
What is Low Impact Development?
Urban runoff discharged from municipal storm drain systems is one of the principal causes of water quality impacts in most urban areas. It can contain pollutants such as trash and debris, bacteria and viruses, oil and grease, sediments, nutrients, metals, and toxic chemicals that can negatively affect the ocean, rivers, plant and animal life, and public health.
Low Impact Development (LID) is a stormwater management strategy that seeks to mitigate the impacts of increases in runoff and stormwater pollution as close to its source as possible. LID comprises a set of site design approaches and Best Management Practices (BMPs) that promote the use of natural systems for infiltration, evapotranspiration, and use of stormwater. These LID practices can effectively remove nutrients, bacteria, and metals from stormwater while reducing the volume and intensity of stormwater flows. With respect to urban development and redevelopment projects, it can be applied onsite to mimic the site’s predevelopment drainage characteristics.
LID Permitting Services
There are four key LID permitting services. You can review each one below, with helpful information about applications, fees, and appointments.
LID Ordinance and History
LID requirements are part of the regulatory requirements incorporated into the Municipal Separate Storm Sewer System (MS4) Permit. The Los Angeles Water Board regulates discharges from MS4s through the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) Permit for MS4 Discharges within the Coastal Watersheds of Los Angeles and Ventura County. The most recent iteration of the MS4 Permit was adopted by the Los Angeles Water Board on July 23, 2021 (ORDER NO. R4-2021-0105).
To ensure compliance with the LID requirements in line with the MS4 Permit, the City of Los Angeles adopted and continually updates the Stormwater LID Ordinance:
Ordinance #181899
Adopted Nov 2011
Ordinance #183833
Updated Sep 2015
Ordinance #188125
Updated Apr 2024
Stated Purposes of the Ordinance:
- Reducing stormwater/urban runoff while improving water quality;
- Promoting rainwater harvesting;
- Reducing offsite runoff and providing increased groundwater recharge;
- Reducing erosion and hydrologic impacts downstream; and
- Enhancing the recreational and aesthetic values in our communities.