Click here to view the SFPUC and Port's Stormwater Management Ordinance. The Stormwater Management Ordinance is effective as May 22nd, 2010.
The San Francisco Stormwater Design Guidelines (Guidelines) describe the requirements for stormwater management in San Francisco and give developers the tools to achieve compliance. The Guidelines were adopted by the San Francisco Public Utilities Commission on January 12, 2010.
What are Stormwater Design Guidelines?
The San Francisco Public Utilities Commission (SFPUC) and the Port of San Francisco (Port) partnered to develop the San Francisco Stormwater Design Guidelines. The Guidelines require new development and redevelopment disturbing 5,000 square feet or more of the ground surface to manage stormwater on-site. The Guidelines show project applicants how to achieve on-site stormwater management using low impact design (LID) strategies, also known as green infrastructure. These strategies include vegetated roofs, swales, rainwater harvesting, and rain gardens. The Guidelines protect San Francisco’s environment by reducing pollution in stormwater runoff in areas of new development and redevelopment and by reducing the wet weather burden on San Francisco’s combined sewer.
What is stormwater runoff and why is it a concern?
Stormwater runoff is rainwater that flows over the land surface and through collection pipes. In vegetated areas such as forests, fields and wetlands, rainwater seeps slowly into the ground, limiting runoff. However, when rain falls on paved concrete and other hard (impervious) surfaces such as those found in most of San Francisco, it runs off quickly and is conveyed by pipes and other drainage features. Though starting as relatively pure rainwater, stormwater runoff collects pollutants as it flows over impervious surfaces. For example, runoff from parking lots picks up oil and grease from leaking engines, copper from worn brake linings, and zinc from tires. Although most runoff in San Francisco flows into the combined sewer system and receives treatment at the city’s two sewage treatment plants, there are a few areas in the city that discharge directly into San Francisco Bay or other surface water such as Lake Merced without receiving any treatment. These polluted stormwater flows can be detrimental to aquatic and other life. The Guidelines will help improve San Francisco’s environment by reducing pollution in water that runs to the bay or other waters from newly constructed facilities.
How can San Francisco help reduce the detrimental impacts of stormwater runoff?
One way to help reduce the detrimental impacts of stormwater runoff is by changing the way we approach new construction. New development and redevelopment projects can be designed to minimize pollutant exposure within the project area. Through careful pre-construction planning and designing, new development and redevelopment projects can be built to:
* Minimize impervious surfaces, which would allow more rainfall to soak into the ground
* Reduce the volume and intensity of storm water runoff, which would reduce flows that end up in the receiving waters
* Convey and treat storm water runoff using landscape features and other “green” systems to provide treatment to the pollutants in the runoff
Studies performed around the world show that proactive site planning and design is the most cost-effective approach for reducing stormwater pollution.
Is San Francisco required to develop Stormwater Design Guidelines?
Yes - in separate sewer areas a Clean Water Act discharge permit administered by the State Water Resources Control Board (SWRCB) requires local agencies to develop programs for the control of stormwater runoff for the life of a project (“post-construction control” of stormwater). The Guidelines comply with the mandate of this permit, while at the same time providing a vehicle through which planners, designers, engineers and developers can work together toward a more sustainable city. In combined sewer areas the Guidelines compliment the goals of the city-wide Green Building Ordinance and help to reduce the burden of wet weather flows on the combined sewer system.
How can I stay informed and get involved?
Be a part of the solution and help us improve San Francisco’s environment through innovative stormwater management. Check the website for project updates and upcoming meetings and events.
For More Information Contact: stormwaterreview@sfwater.org
Archive materials from the Stormwater Design Guidelines below
These are the files from the presentation provided at the Open House #2 for the Stormwater Design Guidelines (SDG) held on October 25, 2007. Read more
In response to federal and state mandates, the Port of San Francisco and San Francisco Public Utilities Commission are developing formal design guidelines for the minimization of stormwater pollution associated with new development and redevelopment in separately sewered areas of San Francisco. The result of this effort will be a Design Guidelines Manual for new development and redevelopment (“Stormwater Design Guidelines”). Once the Stormwater Design Guidelines are complete, the Port and SFPUC will codify them as requirements for new development efforts in separate storm sewer areas.
Here is a fact sheet in PDF for more information. Read more
The Port of San Francisco (Port) and the San Francisco Public Utilities Commission
(SFPUC) held their first public workshop on March 8, 2007 to provide the public with
information on the Stormwater Design Guidelines project and to gather input and comments.
The workshop included a presentation by Port and SFPUC staff, followed by two rounds of
Question & Answer, and ended with an open house during which participants viewed
exhibit boards and talked to staff about the project. Approximately 40 members of the public
attended the meeting, including residents from various neighborhoods and a broad range of
community groups and non-profits. Read more
