Low Impact Development

LID Ordinance Revision Effective April 2nd, 2024: Ordinance No. 188125

Building or grading permits that have a LADBS Payment Date of April 2nd, 2024 or after, are subject to the LID Ordinance Revision. Any building or grading permits that have a Payment Date before April 2nd, 2024 are subject to the LID Ordinance that existed on the respective Payment Date.

Procedurally, LADBS staff will review and issue the LID Clearance to building and grading permits based on the Payment Date. Any building or grading permits that have a Payment Date before April 2nd, 2024 will have the LID Clearance added for work that proposes to add, create or replace 500 SF or more of impervious area. Building or grading permits that have a LADBS Payment Date of April 2nd, 2024 or after, will have the LID Clearance added for work that proposes to add, create or replace 2,500 SF or more of impervious area. Supplemental permits submitted after April 2nd, 2024 will be subject to the LID Ordinance that the original permit was subject to.

For permits subject to the LID Ordinance Revision, please note that LID Requirements will be applicable to the projects listed below. If your project does not meet the criteria below, but the LID Clearance was added to your permit, a formal submittal to LID will be required so that we may review your plans and clear your LID Clearance as “Not Required” if applicable.

  1. New Development Projects equal to 1 acre or greater of disturbed area and adding more than 10,000 SF of impervious surface area (collectively over the entire project site).
  2. New Industrial Parks of 10,000 SF or more of surface area.
  3. New Commercial Malls of 10,000 SF or more of surface area.
  4. Redevelopment Projects that create and/or replace 5,000 SF or more of impervious surface area (collectively over the entire project site) on any of the following:
    a. Existing sites of 10,000 SF or more of impervious surface area
    b. Industrial Parks of 10,000 SF or more of surface area
    c. Commercial Malls of 10,000 SF or more of surface area
  5. New Development or Redevelopment Projects that create and/or replace 5,000 SF or more of impervious surface area (collectively over the entire site) and support any of the following uses:
    a. Restaurants
    b. Parking lots
    c. Automotive Service Facilities
    d. Retail gasoline outlets
  6. New Development or Redevelopment Projects that create and/or replace 2,500 SF or more of impervious surface area and are located partially or wholly within an Environmentally Sensitive Area.

Any questions regarding the LID Ordinance Revision should be directed to: san.swplancheck@lacity.org or via Phone Call: (213) 482-7066, although email is preferred. Please include the project address and permit number related to your inquiry, if any.

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LID Counter Operations

As of June 15, 2022, the LID Public Counter will offer same day customer services via the City of Los Angeles Virtual Counter System. To access the Virtual Counter System Queue, please go to appointments.lacity.org. Please note that the Virtual Counter will serve customers on a first-come first-served basis, during normal business hours of 9:00AM to 4:00PM Monday through Friday. All customers, except those with only General Questions, must first start a customer service request using the LID Plan Check Portal prior to joining the Virtual Counter System Queue.

By appointment only, the LID Public Counter now provides certain customer services virtually. Please go to appointments.lacity.org to access the City of Los Angeles Appointment System to schedule an appointment. Please submit a customer service request application via the LID Plan Check Portal prior to scheduling an appointment.

For those who are unable to access our electronic services, we will continue to use the designated, Drop-off/Pick-up Area at the Figueroa Plaza Lobby (201 N Figueroa St) for your hard copy submittals as listed under the City of Los Angeles Continuity of Operations Plan for Development Services Centers until further notice.

Any general questions regarding the LID Counter Operations should be directed to: san.swplancheck@lacity.org or via Phone Call: (213) 482-7066, although email is preferred. Please be sure to include the project address and permit number related to your inquiry.

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LID Plan Check Portal

As of October 19, 2020, all projects electing to submit plan check documents electronically will be required to submit through the LID Plan Check Submittal Portal located at https://lid.lacitysan.org
 
Please utilize the step-by-step instruction guides below to assist in establishing your LID Plan Check Submittal Portal account and for instructions on how to submit projects.

LID Plan Check Portal account set up Step-by-Step guide (PDF)
LID Plan Check Portal document submittal Step-by-Step guide (PDF)
 
Any questions regarding the LID Ordinance Revision should be directed to: san.swplancheck@lacity.org or via Phone Call: (213) 482-7066, although email is preferred. Please include the project address and permit number related to your inquiry, if any.

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Low Impact Development (LID) is a leading stormwater management strategy that seeks to mitigate the impacts of runoff and stormwater pollution as close to its source as possible. Los Angeles' LID ordinance became effective in May 2012.

MORE INFORMATION ABOUT LOW IMPACT DEVELOPMENT
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The City of Los Angeles reviews all plans for new and redevelopment projects to ensure that LID requirements are met. More about PLAN APPROVAL PROCESS
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The Low Impact Development Handbook, forms educational materials can be downloaded for your convenience.More about LID DOCUMENTS
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The City of Los Angeles offers two locations where the public can have their LID plans checked by Watershed Protection Program staff. More about PLAN CHECK APPOINTMENTS
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The main purpose of this law is to ensure that development and redevelopment projects mitigate runoff in a manner that captures rainwater at its source, while utilizing natural resources. More about ORDINANCE AND HISTORY