Pacific Palisades

LA City requires that any construction below street grade must outlet stormwater to the street. Many Pacific Palisades properties sit below street level due to the hillside terrain. When gravity cannot drain water offsite, a sump pump system collects stormwater in a basin and pumps it up to street level where it can flow to the storm drain.

Three common scenarios require stormwater pump systems: basement lightwells that collect water during rain events; underground parking or driveway areas below street grade that need trench drains and pumps to move water uphill; and sloped lots where the house pad sits below street grade. We evaluate your specific site layout to determine what drainage approach works.

LA City appears to be waiving LID requirements for Palisades Fire rebuilds, which simplifies the engineering and permitting process. This means standard grading and drainage plans are typically sufficient for fire rebuild projects, rather than the more complex stormwater retention systems required for new construction.

Most Palisades fire rebuilds need a grading plan that includes drainage design, plus erosion control plans. Drainage is typically part of the grading plan rather than a separate document. If there is a basement or underground parking, you will also need excavation plans and potentially a structural engineer specialized in shoring. Properties below street grade will need a stormwater sump pump system. We handle the full scope of civil engineering and coordinate with other disciplines as needed.