Category: Policy

Lot Line Buildings

Lot Line Buildings

Lot Line Buildings

12/17/25

“What makes NYC buildings developed right up to property lines so special?”

NYC is famous for its tall, dense buildings. One factor that allows for such density is the availability of the Lot Line Buildings designation. Lot Line buildings are buildings developed right up to the property line, maximizing their potential floor space. Adjacent lot-line buildings will stand attached next to each other. Lot line buildings can have different heights from proximate developments, and windows from taller lot line buildings will look down on their neighbors. Because lot line buildings can grow vertically, windows on once-taller floors can get covered up by their neighbors. Potential buyers of lot line buildings must be aware of this factor during selection.

Limit of Disturbance

Limit of Disturbance

Limit of Disturbance

12/15/25

“How can we define the limit where land disturbing activity can take place?”

Construction activities disturb the land and soil, whether it’s for complex grading or simple excavation. Government bodies typically want construction operators not disturb sensitive areas such as impaired water bodies. One tactic is to set a Limit of Disturbance for construction. The limit of disturbance defines when and where construction activity can take place in light of local vulnerabilities. Limits of disturbance inform construction operators on where they can put construction activity.

Site Connection Proposals

Site Connection Proposals

Site Connection Proposals

12/11/25

“How do new buildings and major renovations in NYC detail how they will connect to the sewer system?”

New York City is the largest and most complex city in the United States. Furthermore, it’s located in a humid climate prone to major storms. Consequently, the sewer system is of vital importance to the city. New developments and major renovations in NYC are required to submit plans detailing how they will connect to the sewers using designs, flow calculations, pipe types, and city infrastructure impact. These Site Connection Proposals must be approved by the NYC Department of Environmental Protection Bureau of Water and Sewer Operations (BWSO). Site connection proposals are critical to maintaining NYC’s public infrastructure safety.

Sewer Operations Volume

Sewer Operations Volume

Sewer Operations Volume

12/10/25

“How can we represent how much stormwater runoff from a building will enter the sewers at peak storm time?”

New buildings can generate large amounts of stormwater runoff if they increase impervious surface. This can overwhelm sewers if they’re not attenuated. To manage this, New York City has developed a concept called Sewer Operational Volume. Sewer operations volume is a volume that must be accounted for to attenuate the flow of a 10-year storm to the city sewers. Sewer operations volume is only met if you restrict flow to the maximum release rate for the site. Regulating sewer operations volume is critical for NYC to protect its residents from the worst impacts of climate change.

Utility Excavation Color Codes

Utility Excavation Color Codes

Utility Excavation Color Codes

12/09/25

“How do utilities mark where their underground infrastructure is during excavation?”

Utility infrastructure is often underground, such as sewer pipes and electric power lines. This means that during construction excavation, people need to mark where the existing infrastructure is to avoid damage. The American Public Works Association has developed Utility Excavation Color Codes to visually indicate on-site locations of infrastructure, such as red for power lines or blue for potable water. Utility operators are obligated to mark their infrastructure location using paint and/or flags in their assigned colors. Utility excavation color codes help protect construction professionals and the general public from preventable accidents.

Image credit: https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/

Stormwater Management Programs (SWMP)

Stormwater Management Programs (SWMP)

Stormwater Management Programs (SWMP)

12/03/25

“How do municipalities plan for stormwater management?”

Nearly every part of the world receives stormwater, whether it’s the Syrian desert or the Amazonian Rainforest. The runoff from this stormwater can carry pollutants from municipalities to nearby water bodies. Towns and cities are required to devise a plan for managing stormwater pollution transport. In the U.S., these plans are called Stormwater Management Programs (SWMPs). The Clean Water Act requires public entities that operate MS4 systems to develop stormwater management programs. 

Impaired Water Bodies

Impaired Water Bodies

Impaired Water Bodies

12/02/25

“How does the EPA classify water bodies that don’t meet water quality standards?”

Water bodies all over the world have different levels of pollution. In the U.S., some water bodies are so polluted that they don’t meet water quality standards, leading the EPA to classify them as Impaired Water Bodies. Impaired water bodies are eligible to have a total maximum load pollution limit and environmental review for projects that may impact them to protect against further degradation.

Adopt a Catch Basin Programs

Adopt a Catch Basin Programs

Adopt a Catch Basin Programs

11/17/25

“How can neighborhood residents take care of their local catch basins?”

Catch basins accumulate debris underneath and on top of their grating. If this mess is left uncleaned, then floods may pile up, and the inside of pipes may become less functional. While it takes advanced equipment to clean underneath the grating, sweeping away debris from the top is very straightforward. Municipal governments have established Adopt a Catch Basin Programs to invite residents to routinely clean the catch basins in their neighborhoods. Residents may be assigned a particular catch basin to clear. Adopt a catch basin programs go a long way to make neighborhoods healthier and more resilient to climate change.

Image credit: https://portal.311.nyc.gov/