City News, LADBS

Threshold Easing for Projects Which Require LID Approval

Chris Parker / March 18, 2024

The threshold for which residential projects require Low Impact Development (LID) review and approval will get considerably easier two weeks from today.

The biggest change in LID processing is that residential projects which previously triggered LID review for 500 sq. ft. or more of impervious area now only need LID plans if the project proposes to add, create or replace 2,500 SF or more of impervious area in an Environmental Sensitive Area (ESA).

LID will also be required for non-ESA residential projects: new projects with over 10,000 SF of impervious area and 1 acre of disturbed land; and/or redevelopment projects that create/replace over 5,000 SF of impervious area with 10,000+ SF of impervious area existing.

There are criteria for non-residential projects as well; the city Sanitation Department’s LID website has additional information about those other types of projects.

The changes don’t take effect until Monday, April 2. Any project which has a payment date for its building and/or grading permit on or after April 2 will have its LID review under the new ordinance. Any project with a payment date for its building and/or grading permit before April 2 will have to follow current LID regulations.