Difference between revisions of "Site assessment of residential"

Typical Bylaws

General Provisions May Include:

Impacts on LIDLow Impact Development. A stormwater management strategy that seeks to mitigate the impacts of increased urban runoff and stormwater pollution by managing it as close to its source as possible. It comprises a set of site design approaches and small scale stormwater management practices that promote the use of natural systems for infiltration and evapotranspiration, and rainwater harvesting. Options:

Nuisance weeds and tall grass

Designates tall grass and weeds as a public nuisance

• Defines “tall grass” as grasses over a maximum height (typically 20 – 30 cm)

• Requires tall grass to be cut to a height not exceeding the maximum height
• Requires all nuisance weeds and weed seeds to be removed from a property by the owner
• The municipality may carry out the work to bring properties into
• Compliance and recovery costs from the land owner

Vegetated LIDLow Impact Development. A stormwater management strategy that seeks to mitigate the impacts of increased urban runoff and stormwater pollution by managing it as close to its source as possible. It comprises a set of site design approaches and small scale stormwater management practices that promote the use of natural systems for infiltration and evapotranspiration, and rainwater harvesting. practices may be in violation of the relevant bylaw, e.g. landscape naturalization with prairie or ornamental grasses.

Property standards

Sets minimum requirements for privately owned properties

• Restricts low-lying areas, including those that have been excavated and accumulate water, and requires that they be drained, filled and graded so that water drains to a storm sewer or ditchA long narrow trench or furrow dug in the ground, as for irrigation, drainage, or a boundary line..
• Requires that all landscaped areas be maintained in a reasonable condition relative to the neighboring environmentRefers to the conditions in which an organism lives and survives or the conditions in which an organism resides. These conditions can be described as aspects of a “physical”, “social” or an “economic” environment, depending on the perspective perceived by the observer.

Can preclude the some LIDLow Impact Development. A stormwater management strategy that seeks to mitigate the impacts of increased urban runoff and stormwater pollution by managing it as close to its source as possible. It comprises a set of site design approaches and small scale stormwater management practices that promote the use of natural systems for infiltration and evapotranspiration, and rainwater harvesting. practices, such as bioretentionA shallow excavated surface depression containing prepared filter media, mulch, and planted with selected vegetation. facilities designed be both low-lying and including ‘shallow’ surface ponding. Such bylaws can also prohibit other BMPs which rely on naturalizing landscapes.

Sewer use

Although generally limited to sanitary sewers, many municipalities now include stormwater within this by-law. It generally requires all stormwater be discharged to an approved outlet and regulates the contents of the discharged water.

May not permit direct discharge of roof water to the municipal storm sewer system. This can include overflow from rainwater harvestingThe practice of intercepting, conveying and storing rainwater for future use. Captured rainwater is typically used for outdoor non-potable water uses such as irrigation, or in the building to flush toilets. tanks and similar devices.

Standing waterWater ponded on the ground surface.

Prevents accumulation of water on an individual property within any depression

• Often in response to mosquito breeding and West Nile Virus concerns.
• Accumulation is typically defined by a determined period of time (e.g. 48 hours)

Soakaways, subsurface storage facilities, bioretentionA shallow excavated surface depression containing prepared filter media, mulch, and planted with selected vegetation. and bioswalesLinear bioretention cell designed to convey, treat and attenuate stormwater runoff. The engineered filter media soil mixture and vegetation slows the runoff water to allow sedimentation, filtration through the root zone, evapotranspiration, and infiltration into the underlying native soil. may be prohibited.

Boulevard planting

Regulates the type of vegetation that can be planted within the boulevard area

Bio-swalesA shallow constructed channel, often grass-lined, which is used as an alternative to curb and channel, or as a pretreatment to other measures. Swales are generally characterized by a broad top width to depth ratio and gentle grades. or vegetated swalesA shallow constructed channel, often grass-lined, which is used as an alternative to curb and channel, or as a pretreatment to other measures. Swales are generally characterized by a broad top width to depth ratio and gentle grades. may be constrained by plant-type and plant-height restrictions along municipal boulevards

Roof leader policies (often part of property standards bylaws)

Regulates the collection and allowable discharge location of roof drainageNatural or artificial means of intercepting and removing surface or subsurface water (usually by gravity).

• May specify outlet distance from building foundation and may prohibit discharge to storm sewers, imperviousA hard surface area (e.g., road, parking area or rooftop) that prevents or retards the infiltration of water into the soil. surfaces and property boundaries

Progressive roof leader policies can encourage the implementation of rain gardens, soakaways, rain barrels, and other LIDLow Impact Development. A stormwater management strategy that seeks to mitigate the impacts of increased urban runoff and stormwater pollution by managing it as close to its source as possible. It comprises a set of site design approaches and small scale stormwater management practices that promote the use of natural systems for infiltration and evapotranspiration, and rainwater harvesting. practices.