Working for a Cleaner Bay
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City of West Hollywood Urban Runoff Management Program working for a cle aner bay Design Regulations, Construction Practices and Good Housekeeping Requirements for new building projects and existing properties to reduce urban runoff water pollution Planning for a Cleaner Bay Design Regulations, Construction Practices and Good Housekeeping Requirements for new building projects and existing properties to reduce urban runoff water pollution Urban runoff flowing through storm drains is the greatest single source of pollution to the beaches and nearshore waters of the Santa Monica Bay. Unlike sewage and discharges from industrial sources, urban runoff cannot always be adequately treated before it reaches the Bay and our beaches. By reducing the quantity The City of West Hollywood has of runoff and passed an Ordinance that is improving the designed to reduce the amount quality of runoff, of urban runoff pollution that we lower levels of harmful reaches our storm drain system bacteria, toxics, and other forms and the Santa Monica Bay. The of pollutants affecting the Bay. Ordinance requires a 0.75” Reducing the amount of reduction in rainfall leaving all urban runoff and the impermeable surfaces of all newly amount of pollut- developed parcels or treatment of ants contained in 0.2” of rainfall per hour with- the runoff are in the City. The Ordinance also essential for the specifies guidelines for existing health and safety of properties to reduce the level of our community. Runoff contaminants that are carried by from West Hollywood goes directly urban runoff into the Bay. into Ballona Creek and the Santa Monica Bay. Let’s Keep Our WATER Clean! Table of Contents Page Description 2 Best Management Practices Reducing Urban Runoff Pollution for a Cleaner Bay New Development and Design 3 Design Requirements to Reduce Urban Runoff Requirements for New Development Design Principles to Reduce Urban Runoff Penalties for Non-Compliance 4 Gutters/Downspouts Design Criteria Other Design Criteria 5 Urban Runoff Mitigation Plan: Submission and Approval Design Solutions 6 Multi-Family Residential Development and Commercial Development Design Ideas 7 Parking Lot Design Ideas Parking Lots Ongoing Maintenance 8 Restaurants and Outdoor Dining Areas All Restaurants Maintenance 9 Projects Under Construction: Requirements to Reduce Urban Runoff Best Management Practices (BMPs) Table of Contents Penalties for Non-Compliance This booklet is a publication of the City of West Hollywood Environmental Services. Special thanks to the City of Santa Monica Environmental Programs Division. Design by Cowan Communication Arts www.cowcom.com Best Management Practices Reducing Urban Runoff Pollution for a Cleaner Bay Hazardous and toxic substances like automo- tive fluids and pesticides, debris and trash from residential and commercial construction, pet wastes, paint products and much more are washed into our storm drain system and into BMPs the Santa Monica Bay on a daily basis. This liquid waste, called urban runoff, is the Keep single largest source of water pollution into the Bay, and it is a major threat to the POLLUTION health and safety of our residents and from businesses, and to the marine ecosystem. flowing Construction waste is one of the greatest into sources of pollution into the Bay. Sediment, concrete pours and paint/other <It doesn’t get much the worse than this!> materials that leave the construction site are major contributors to clogged storm drains and polluted aquatic habitats. BAY. By implementing Best Management Practices (BMPs) and Good Housekeeping Guidelines, and making these strategies part of our lives, we can make a genuine difference - - reduce the quantity of urban runoff pollution. By working together, we can all contribute to a cleaner Bay and a healthier way of life. HELP ME! I’m choking over here... Best Management Practices 2 Design Requirements to Reduce Urban Runoff Requirements for New Design Principles to Development Reduce Urban Runoff When submitting an application for a Maximize Permeable Areas new development project for priority (Ordinance Section 19.20.190) projects, you may be required to submit One of the most effective ways to a Standard Urban Storm Water Mitigation reduce urban runoff is to increase the Plan (SUSMP) to the City of West percentage of permeable surfaces and Hollywood’s Environmental Services. landscaped areas in your project design: The Standard Urban Storm Water (1) porous materials will increase the Mitigation Plan you develop will ensure amount of runoff that seeps into the that the projected urban runoff from ground, rather than being carried into your proposed project is reduced by at storm drains, (2) natural drainage, and least a volume equivalent to the surface (3) swales, berms, green strip filters, area of all impermeable surfaces times gravel beds and french drains. 0.75” or treatment of 0.2” of rainfall per hour. Reduce Parking Lot Pollution Options to meet this requirement By incorporating specific design include curbless green strip filters elements and principles, your plan and porous pavement to capture and will meet requirements outlined in the percolate runoff where possible. Stormwater and Urban Runoff Pollution Control Ordinance (15.56.095). Contact Environmental Services at Penalties for 323-848-6499 or refer to 15.56.095 in New Development and Design the Municipal Code to determine if you Non-Compliance have a priority project. (Ordinance Section 15.56.100) Failure to implement an approved Standard Urban Storm Water Mitigation Plan and comply with all provisions of this ordinance shall constitute a misdemeanor punishable as set forth in subsection (a) of Section 1.08.010 of this code. Each day that a violation continues shall constitute a separate offense. <Designers must incorporate in the design of new developments principles that reduce urban runoff!> 3 Design Requirements to Reduce Urban Runoff Gutters/Downspouts Design Criteria Downspouts shall be constructed in accordance with the California Best Management Practices Handbook for infiltration trenches. Downspouts will direct flow to paved areas and then to filter inserts or gravel beds. Other Design Criteria The design elements established in <The wrong way this subsection shall be required for to design gutters all new development except single and downspouts!> family residences. These design criteria deal with strategies to keep precipitation and urban runoff Where new development will include from the following areas: outdoor areas for the storage of materials, including trash areas, (i) Loading and unloading dock areas, that may contribute pollutants to the (ii) Repair and maintenance bays, storm water conveyance system, these (iii) Vehicle and equipment wash areas, materials must be completely enclosed (iv) Fueling areas, or covered thereby protecting them from (v) Trash areas. contact with water. <Receptacles must be New Development and Design covered to avoid contaminated runoff!> 4 Urban Runoff Mitigation Plan: Submission and Approval When you submit your application for Contact Environmental Services at a new development or redevelopment, (323) 848-6499 to see if your devel- you may also be required to submit a opment must meet this requirement. Standard Urban Storm Water Mitigation Plan (Section 15.56.095). This plan will Forms to complete the Standard detail how your proposed project will Urban Storm Water Mitigation Plan are comply with all applicable Ordinance available from Environmental Services. requirements including a 0.75” reduction Each plan that is submitted will be in total runoff from all impermeable evaluated according to particular areas on your site or treatment of 0.2” characteristics of the project and of rainfall per hour. This plan must of the site to be developed. No build- also describe how your proposed Best ing permit will be issued for a proj- Management Practices will be maintained ect covered under the Ordinance until annually to ensure their continued a mitigation plan has been approved effectiveness and will be transferred by the City. The final Certificate during property sale. of Occupancy will be issued only upon inspection and approval of the Plan’s completed BMPs by the City. Design Solutions The following photos provide examples of Additional information is available BMPs that can be incorporated into new for other design concepts, including development to meet City urban runoff drawings and references. mitigation requirements. New Development and Design New Image Placeholder <Commercial biofilter <Parking lot runoff enters walkway> biofilter for treatment and percolation> <Institutional parking <Commercial parking lot lot biofilter> porous pavement> 5 Multi-Family Residential Development and Commercial Development Design Ideas All runoff up to 0.2” per hour must be treated. Downspouts directed to trench drain with Downspouts filtration or infiltration directed to permeable areas Permeable walkways Trench drain Unit pavers on sand Vegetated swale Crushed aggregate driveway Inlet grate Trench filter insert installed Filter Filter Insert Insert Trench Drain Filter insert Catch basin <Parking lot of small See www.bmpla.org office building made of New Development and Design Your Yellow Pages for BMPs! concrete permeable pavers> 6 Parking Lot Design Ideas Gutters and downspouts Downspouts directed to trench drain with filtration or infiltration Permeable pavers Permeable pavement, i.e. porous concrete or asphalt Infiltration pit Trench drain Hybrid parking