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Subjects › Environment › Stormwater › Low Impact Development - Runoff Reduction BMPs
Updated 08/2012

Low Impact Development - Runoff Reduction

Contents

Introduction

Low impact development (LID) is a stormwater management strategy that emphasizes conservation and use of existing natural site features integrated with distributed, small-scale stormwater controls to more closely mimic natural hydrologic patterns in residential, commercial, and industrial settings. LID employs principles such as preserving and recreating natural landscape features and minimizing impervious surfaces to create functional and appealing site drainage that treat stormwater as a resource rather than a waste product. Practices that adhere to these LID principles include bioretention facilities, rain gardens, vegetated rooftops, rainwater harvesting (rain barrels and cisterns), and permeable pavements.

This webpage includes information on two LID practices: rain gardens and rainwater harvesting.

General LID Information

The following resources address low impact development techniques

Sample Local Government Provisions

This section includes sample regulations and information on LID from Washington cities and counties.

Washington Cities

Washington Counties

Rain Gardens

A rain garden is a shallow planted area in the landscape where rainwater is allowed to collect and absorb back into the soil. A rain garden mimics the undisturbed conditions of the natural environment. This section includes information on rain garden design.

Rainwater Harvesting

Rainwater harvesting for irrigation involves collecting the water that falls on a roof in a rain barrel or cistern and using it for watering lawns and gardens. Rainwater harvesting conserves water and can reduce the impact of heavy storm flows on streams, lakes, bays, and watersheds. The following is some information from communities in Washington State.

Statutes Allowing Reduction of Stormwater Charges

The following state statutes allow for possible rater reductions for new or remodeled commercial buildings that use permissive rainwater harvesting systems.

Sample Ordinances - Stormwater Rate Reductions for Rainwater Catchment Systems

  • Edmonds Ordinance No. 3682 (Adobe Acrobat Document) - Interim ordinance removing barriers that discourage installation of rainwater collection and reuse systems; and defines rainwater collection tank, passed 04/2008
  • King County Board of Health Agenda packet for Proposed No. BOH11-03.1 (Adobe Acrobat Document) - Amendments to Board of Health Title 13 - Onsite Sewage Systems; addresses the use of rainwater catchment systems for potable water supply. Includes King County Council news release, New Public Health rules allow rainwater as sole source for residential drinking water, 07/21/2011
  • Kitsap County Ordinance No. 315-2004 (Adobe Acrobat Document) - Amends Kitsap County Code Sec.12.40.050 to establish a surface and stormwater management program rate reduction for permissive rainwater harvesting systems, infiltration systems, and direct discharge systems, passed 04/12/2004
  • Snohomish County Ordinances 05-102 and 05-103 provide reductions in surface water management rates and charges for commercial properties with approved rainwater harvesting systems, passed 10/2005

Additional Resources

Documents

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