04 - Roof/Waste Drainage to Street

Revised on 10-08-2024

This process is the means by which BOE reviews and approves proposed methods of draining roof and site water to the City street.  Code(s) applicable include:

When processing this Clearance, BOE staff must first determine if the LADBS permit application is for a building permit or a grading permit.  BOE will process this Clearance different for each permit.

Note: BOE created the Customer Service Request (CSR) Portal (located in the Customer Portal) to allow members of the public to make contact with City Staff for questions and/or assistance on any permit or development services related matter.  This includes requesting clearances for building permits.

Processing the BOE Clearance for Roof/Waste Drainage to Street


Building Permit

  1. Go to NavigateLA and search for the street address to verify if there is an active "B" permit associated with the subject project
    1. Select "Advanced Options" from the top menu
    2. Select "Show Me" from the Advanced option box
    3. Select "Construction Activities" from the list
    4. Select "BOE Permits" from the list and choose A-Permits and "B" Permits from the list
    5. Click Update Map
  2. BOE staff to login to PCIS and complete tasks 1-5 as shown in the document 00 - Clearance Summary Worksheet for Building Permit Application Clearances,  Plan Check and Inspection System (PCIS) Usage, under Building Permit Clearances, Technical Procedures, Clearance Summary Work Sheet Clearances.
  3. BOE staff to verify if the Bureau of Sanitation (BOS) has provided approval for the Clearance Condition "Low Impact Development"
    1. If BOS has not approved the Clearance Condition, BOE will also not be able to provide approval.
  4. Applicant to provide a copy of the LID plans approved by BOS.  BOS has an web-based Low Impact Development (LID) Plan Check Submittal portal where the Applicant should apply for LID approval.
  5. BOE staff to review the provided plans to confirm both the roof drainage and the site drainage (engineering judgement).  BOE will verify that proposed solution is sized adequately (hydraulics, discharge location) and is constructible (improvements safely join existing street culture).  If BOE staff doesn't approve the Applicant's plan for drainage, the Applicant would be required to modify their engineering plans and resubmit to BOE.
    1. Residential Projects (ADU, SFD, Additions, etc.):
      1. Plans should reflect proposed solution for draining roof water to the street
      2. Plans should reflect proposed solution for draining site water to the street, if applicable
      3. If there is a pump involved, single family dwellings are allowed to discharge across driveway. If discharge is concentrated and at the property line, it may be interpreted that it is a public nuisance and, therefore, a curb drain is required. If it is not at the property line and is an SFD, it may be interpreted as sheet flow through the driveway (if through sidewalk it must be through a curb drain). For pumps, water must be at 7 fps max prior to getting into public right-of-way via a curb drain. This can be accomplished by installing a basin or velocity reducer on private property. LADBS requires multi family to be conveyed under the sidewalk.
    2. Commercial projects:
      1. Same review procedure as Residential Projects
      2. Discharge shall be via a curb drain 
  6. Click the "Comment" box in the upper right side on the screen
    1. B Permit # (BR#) has been obtained for subject project
    2. Applicant to obtain an A-Permit for constructing
    3. Number of curb drains
    4. Dimensions of sidewalk culverts
  7. Change status to one of the following based on the description of work proposed:
    1. Pending - Used if the Applicant is required to make changes to their engineering plans
    2. Denied - Not used
    3. Approved - Not used
    4. Approved with Conditions - Used when BOE has accepted the proposed drainage solution 
    5. Approved for Drainage - Not used
  8. Click "Save Status" (if this is not clicked, the worksheet will not save)

 

Grading Permit

  1. Go to NavigateLA and search for the street address to verify if there is an active "B" permit associated with the subject project
    1. Select "Advanced Options" from the top menu
    2. Select "Show Me" from the Advanced option box
    3. Select "Construction Activities" from the list
    4. Select "BOE Permits" from the list and choose A-Permits and "B" Permits from the list
    5. Click Update Map
  2. BOE staff to login to PCIS and complete tasks 1-5 as shown in the document 00 - Clearance Summary Worksheet for Building Permit Application Clearances,  Plan Check and Inspection System (PCIS) Usage, under Building Permit Clearances, Technical Procedures, Clearance Summary Work Sheet Clearances.
  3. If there is NO "B" Permit associated with the subject project, BOE to complete the following:
    1. BOE staff to review the provided plans to confirm proper site drainage (engineering judgement).  BOE will verify the proposed solution is sized adequately (hydraulics, discharge location) and is constructable (improvements safely join existing street culture).  If BOE staff doesn't approve the Applicant's plan for drainage, the Applicant would be required to modify their engineering plans and resubmit to BOE.
      1. Plans should reflect proposed solution for draining site water to the street, if applicable
    2. Click the "Comment" box in the upper right side on the screen
      1. Applicant to obtain an A-Permit for constructing drainage system
      2. Number of curb drains
      3. Dimensions of sidewalk culverts
    3. Change status to one of the following based on the description of work proposed:
      1. Pending - Used if the Applicant is required to make changes to their engineering plans
      2. Denied - Not used
      3. Approved - Not used
      4. Approved with Conditions - Used when BOE has accepted the proposed drainage solution 
      5. Approved for Drainage - Not used
  4. If a "B" Permit associated with the subject project, the subject project could fall under one of two scenarios.  Scenario 1 - Subject project may include a future public street, private street, and/or public easement (Sanitary, Storm Darin, etc.) within the limits of the grading shown on the grading plans.  Scenario 2 -  Subject project will include a future public street adjacent to the limits of the grading shown on the grading plans.
    1. Scenario 1 - BOE to conform the following:
      1. "B" Permit must be in the construction phase (pull down menu) to allow for a public works (BCA) inspector to inspect grading of the public easements within the grading area of the subject project.  BOE will also verify:
        1. Proper liability insurance has been submitted to Risk Management
        2. All plan check and inspection deposits have been collected
        3. "B" Permit bond has been posted
      2. Review/approve grading plans
        1.  Compare proposed grade elevations against proposed street improvement elevations to confirm they match (engineering judgement)
        2. Confirm plans include proper site drainage (engineering judgement).  BOE to verify the proposed solution is sized adequately (hydraulics, discharge location) and is constructable (improvements safely join existing street culture).  If BOE staff doesn't approve the Applicant's plan for drainage, the Applicant would be required to modify their engineering plans and resubmit to BOE.  Plans should reflect proposed solution for draining of site water to the street, if applicable.
    2. Scenario 2 - BOE to confirm the following:
      1. The "B" Permit does not need to be in the construction phase.
      2. Review/approve grading plans
        1. Compare proposed grade elevations against proposed street improvement adjacent to the subject property to confirm they match (engineering judgement)
        2. Confirm plans include proper site drainage (engineering judgement).  BOE to verify the proposed solution is sized adequately (hydraulics, discharge location) and is constructable (improvements safely join existing street culture).  If BOE staff doesn't approve the Applicant's plan for drainage, the Applicant would be required to modify their engineering plans and resubmit to BOE.  Plans should reflect proposed solution for draining of site water to the street, if applicable.
  5. Change status to one of the following based on the description of work proposed:
    1. Pending - Used if the Applicant is required to make changes to their engineering plans
    2. Denied - Not used
    3. Approved with Conditions - Used when BOE has accepted the proposed drainage solution 
    4. Approved - Not used
    5. Approved for Drainage - Not used
  6. Click the "Comment" box in the upper right side on the screen:
    1. B Permit # (BR#) has been obtained for subject project
  7. Click "Save Status" (if this is not clicked, the worksheet will not save)