GSI, also know as Low-Impact Development or LID, makes our homes and neighborhoods more green and slows, captures, and cleans polluted runoff from roads, roofs, and parking lots at its source, before it harms our waterways. We can put green stormwater infrastructure on private property to add attractive landscaping and help slow and clean polluted runoff from roofs, patios, and driveways.
LID is required for new development and redevelopment projects. For LID information and pre-approved plans for new development and redevelopment projects, visit Development Services.
Use this interactive map to find LID features on your property and information on how to maintain them.
What? Many downspouts connect our roof gutters to underground pipes that carry water to our local creeks and Lake Washington. Disconnecting your downspout from existing standpipes can be accomplished fairly easily with an elbow, pipe extension, and splash block.
Considerations:
Resources:
What? Native landscaping is the removal some of your less permeable surfaces – such as patios or lawns - and replacing them with native plants and cultivars that have deeper root systems and amended soils. Native landscaping requires less water and maintenance, and is more capable of absorbing rainwater runoff.
Learn more about Natural Yard Care on your property.
What? Permeable Pavement can be used for walkways, parking areas, driveways, and patios. The pervious pavement reduces the amount of rainwater runoff by allowing rain to infiltrate through the surface and into the ground. Examples are pervious concrete, pervious asphalt, permeable pavers, and grass pavers.
What? Rain gardens are shallow, bowl-shaped gardens designed to collect and filter water from your roof, driveway, or other impervious surfaces. Rain gardens can be shaped and sized to fit your yard, are filled with a rich layer of mulch and compost to help water soak in, and are landscaped with a variety of plants that fit your yard, sun, and soil.
What? A cistern is a large rain barrel that collects hundreds to thousands of gallons of water. Made of durable materials like metal, heavy plastic, or fiberglass, cisterns fill with water from your roof, gutters, and downspouts. Water can be stored until you need it for irrigation, or can be slowly released by hose to your landscape.
NEW: Receive rebates up to $500 for planting trees on your property. Learn more about our Tree Rebate Program.
What? Planting trees creates a canopy, or "umbrella," of leaves that helps provide shade and reduces the intensity of rainfall before it hits the ground. Planting trees is an easy, affordable way to help the environment.
Call our 24/7 pollution and flooding hotline
For non-emergency drainage or stormwater concerns, visit Our Kirkland
Address
Public Works - City Hall
123 5th Ave
Kirkland, WA 98033
425-587-3800
Are you planning a landscaping project this year? Yard Smart Rain Rewards is an exciting opportunity for Kirkland homeowners to take advantage of free technical assistance and rebates to install projects like rain gardens, native landscaping, and cisterns on their property to manage rain water runoff.
Learn More
Tree Planting Rebates
Receive rebates up to $500 for planting trees to help slow down and soak in rainwater runoff. Learn more about our Tree Rebate Program.
LID Pre-Approved Plans - Kirkland's standard plans for many LID projects.
King County Surface Water Design Manual - A comprehensive manual for all stormwater-related projects in King County.
12000RainGardens.org - Excellent resources for building rain gardens and other GSI projects.
GSI Mini-Grants - Grants for property owners not eligible for Kirkland's Yard Smart program.
King County Lake Swimming Beach Data Program