Greater Phoenix Green Infrastructure Handbook: Low Impact Development (LID) Details for Alternative Stormwater Management
The Greater Phoenix Green Infrastructure Handbook: Low Impact Development (LID) Details for Alternative Stormwater Management (LID Handbook) is now available for public and private sector use!
The LID Handbook includes guidance and technical standard details and specifications for select LID techniques, so local design, planning, and development professionals can more easily integrate green infrastructure (GI) and LID in new and/or retrofit projects throughout Maricopa County. LID techniques included in the Handbook:
- Biorention planters
- Bioretention systems
- Bioswales – vegetated or rock
- Curb extensions
- Curb openings
- Domed overflow structures
- Permeable pavements
- Sediment traps
- Stormwater harvesting basins
Have a suggested improvement, change, or addition to the LID Handbook?
Please email here to submit your suggestion with a description. Our goal is to continue improving and growing LID information and resources available to local Arizona communities.

GI and LID Handbook Training Presentation
PDF Downloads of Individual LID Standard Details:
- LID 1 – Permeable Pavements
Download CAD File - LID 2 – Curb Openings
Download CAD File - LID 3 – Curb Openings
Download CAD File - LID 4 – Sediment Traps
Download CAD File - LID 5 – Stormwater Harvesting Basins
Download CAD File - LID 6 – Vegetated or Rock Bioswales
Download CAD File - LID 7 – Bioretention Systems
Download CAD File - LID 8 – Curb Extensions
Download CAD File - LID 9 – Bioretention Planter
Download CAD File - LID 10 – Overflow Structure
For almost two decades, Arizona has experienced drought conditions, raising concerns about water availability, use, and conservation. The use of GI and LID can provide many benefits onsite and to the surrounding communities and watershed, such as:
- mitigating localized flooding
- harvesting stormwater to offset potable water use for outdoor use
- providing water to surrounding landscapes
- reducing non-point source pollutant loads and erosion
- increasing rainfall and runoff infiltration into soils
- recharging groundwater
- preserving and improving natural wildlife and habitat
- beautifying surrounding streetscape
- reducing heat-island effect
- improving the health of the local watershed
The LID Handbook is a collaborative project of the SCN Green Infrastructure Specs & Standards Workgroup, created to benefit all communities in the Greater Phoenix Metro region. To make the Handbook a reality, the City of Scottsdale received grant funding from the Arizona Department of Environmental Quality (ADEQ) 604(b) grant program and the Water Infrastructure Finance Authority (WIFA) Technical Assistance Fund. The City also contributed funding and grant management to the project. With stakeholder and review support of eight Phoenix area municipalities, and the guidance of a core team comprised of the cities of Scottsdale and Phoenix, SCN and the Flood Control District of Maricopa County, the LID Handbook is now available for voluntary use throughout Maricopa County.
Thank you to the following agencies:
SCN GI Workgroup Specs & Standards Core Team:




Review Teams:
- Arizona State University
- City of Apache Junction
- City of Glendale
- City of Goodyear
- City of Mesa
- City of Phoenix
- City of Scottsdale
- City of Tempe
- Flood Control District of Maricopa County
Other Supporting Cities:
- City of Avondale
- City of Gilbert
- City of Peoria
City of Scottsdale Consultants:
- Dibble Engineering
- Logan Simpson