Are you interested in making your development projects more “green” while meeting both stormwater management and landscape requirements for your site? The City of Raleigh recently adopted text changes to the Unified Development Ordinance (UDO) that make it easier for you to include Green Stormwater Infrastructure (GSI) practices into land development.
How it Works
GSI uses both natural and constructed landscape features that capture, absorb, and store rainwater that otherwise would go directly to storm drains and local waterways. These features remove pollution and reduce impacts from the volume of stormwater runoff that enters Raleigh streams and lakes.
By using GSI practices, you can invest in and improve the water quality of local waterways; co-locate site features, such as adding a stormwater treatment within building setback; and more efficiently use developed land area.
GSI Benefits
Here are a few benefits to including GSI practices in your development plans:
- GSI features serve multiple purposes in required landscape area, which decreases development costs, conserves natural resources, and does not require stormwater management to “compete” for a site’s available land area.
- Installing GSI in the City right-of-way to treat stormwater runoff coming from streets can make more land area available for other uses. You may also be eligible to receive payment from the City for the difference between traditional right-of-way infrastructure development and GSI practices.
- You will have more flexibility in a site’s development design to make it easier to use GSI practices.
- You can use more stormwater management treatment options in the Watershed Protection Overlay Districts, rather than using only traditional practices, like wetponds.
Get Started
Visit raleighnc.gov to learn more about what to expect when submitting your development site designs and plans. There is information about changes made to the UDO to incorporate GSI practices, landscaping requirements to follow when using GSI practices, and new requirements for the Falls and Swift Creek Watershed Protection Overlay Districts.
Questions can be directed to the Stormwater Management Division at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or 919-996-3940.
