Compare Regulations
Compare state baseline against local requirements in a single view
Loading...
Compare state baseline against local requirements in a single view
Rows with an amber indicator differ across selections.
| Field | State California SWRCB | Local City of Los Angeles City of Los Angeles Department of Building and Safety (LADBS) |
|---|---|---|
| Permit | ||
| Permit / Authorization | Construction General Permit (Order 2009-0009-DWQ, as amended) | Grading Permit with Low Impact Development (LID) Plan |
| Submit To | SWRCB | City of Los Angeles Department of Building and Safety (LADBS) |
| Lead Time | NOI must be filed and permit coverage obtained before grading/construction begins | Plan check typically 4–8 weeks; expedited review available for fee |
| Application Method | Online via Stormwater Multiple Application and Report Tracking System (SMARTS) | Online via LADBS ePlanLA portal (eplanla.lacity.org); paper plans also accepted at Development Services Centers |
| Fee | Annual fee based on acreage: < 5 acres = $900; 5–49 acres = $1,200; ≥ 50 acres = $2,200 | Grading permit fees based on cubic yards of earthwork; LID plan check fee additional — see LADBS fee schedule |
| Water Quality | ||
| Impervious Cover Limit | No statewide limit | No citywide cap; however, LID Ordinance requires on-site retention of the 85th-percentile 24-hour storm for all new development and redevelopment projects |
| On-Site Treatment Required | Not specified at state level | Yes |
| Detention Required | Not specified at state level | Yes — Retain 100% of the 85th-percentile 24-hour storm event on-site using infiltration, bioretention, or rainwater harvesting; if infeasible, biofiltration of 1.5× the design volume |
| Turbidity / Discharge Standard | Risk Level 3 sites: effluent must meet 10 NTU turbidity limit at discharge point; Risk Level 2: 250 NTU; Risk Level 1: narrative standard | Must comply with LA County MS4 Permit receiving water limitations; no separate city numeric limit beyond state CGP requirements |
| SWPPP | ||
| SWPPP / Local Plan Required | Yes | Yes — Erosion Control Plan (ECP) required as part of grading permit; LID Plan required for post-construction |
| PE Stamp Required | No | Yes |
| Inspections | ||
| Inspection Requirements | Risk Level 1: Visual inspections every 24 hours during active rain. Risk Level 2–3: Rain Event Action Plans required; inspections during and after qualifying storms | LADBS conducts grading inspections at key milestones (rough grade, final grade, drainage installation). Separate BMP inspections by Bureau of Sanitation during rainy season (Oct 1 – Apr 15). |
| Inspector Qualification | Qualified SWPPP Practitioner (QSP) for Risk Level 2 and 3 sites; Qualified SWPPP Developer (QSD) must prepare the SWPPP | No additional city certification beyond QSP/QSD; however, the Deputy Grading Inspector program applies to grading permit compliance |
| Design & Zones | ||
| Local Design Manual | N/A — state level | City of Los Angeles LID Standards Manual & Stormwater Technical Manual |
| Special Overlay Zones | N/A — see local jurisdictions | Hillside Area, Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zone (VHFHSZ), Coastal Zone |