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Green Infrastructure

Green infrastructure collects stormwater from streets, sidewalks, and other hard surfaces before it can enter the sewer system or cause local flooding. By reducing the amount of stormwater that flows into the Sewer System, green infrastructure helps prevent Sewer Overflows and improves the health of local waterways. We have successfully built thousands of green infrastructure installations across New York City.

A map of NYC with colorful dots that indicate green infrastructure
View our Interactive Map of Green Infrastructure Projects. If you have a green roof project that you’d like to add to this map, fill in our Green Roof Inventory Survey.
A green roof overlooking NY Harbor and Manhattan
We provide financial incentives for installing green infrastructure on private property. Learn about Green Roof Retrofit Grants and Resilient NYC Partners.
a rain garden with stormwater water
From Rain Gardens, infiltration basins, and green roofs to playgrounds with underground detention systems, learn about the Types of Green Infrastructure you might come across in NYC.
the Manhattan skyline and NY Harbor
Green infrastructure protects New York Harbor and and reduces local flooding. Take a Harbor Water Quality Virtual Tour and learn more about Flood Prevention.
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Green Infrastructure Reports and Plans

Green Infrastructure Annual Report Cover

Green Infrastructure Annual Report

To view our Green Infrastructure reports from previous years, visit our Document Portal and search for “Green Infrastructure.”

CSO Consent Order Submittals

2016 Green Infrastructure Performance Metrics Report

Green Infrastructure Standards and Specifications

DEP has developed design guidelines, standards and specifications for:

  • green infrastructure built in city streets and sidewalks (right-of-way (ROW))
  • green infrastructure built within the property line of a City-owned site such as parklands and schools (public on-site)

These design standards and procedures are used by engineers, architects, landscape architects, and other city agencies to streamline the development of contract plans and drawings, and reduce the timeline and costs associated with design and approval processes. For access to previous versions of the Standards for Green Infrastructure, please contact gioutreach@dep.nyc.gov.

Right-of-Way Design Standards

Right-of-Way Standard Specifications

Public On-site Retrofit Design Standards

Green Infrastructure Protections

Proper protection of Green Infrastructure is crucial as contractors shall be liable for any damage to assets due to construction activities. Please notify giutility@dep.nyc.gov at least 48 hours prior to commencing construction work near Green Infrastructure.

Impervious Area Map Layer

This DEP-developed Geographic Information System (GIS) land cover map layer displays citywide pervious areas (surfaces that allow water to pass through to the underlying soil, like permeable pavers or rain gardens) and impervious areas (surfaces that do not allow water to pass through, like asphalt or concrete) at the parcel level. It supports ongoing citywide planning efforts and programs related to stormwater, resiliency, and other initiatives.

View the Parcel-Based Impervious Area GIS Layer on OpenData


Cloudburst Management

A way of absorbing, storing, & transferring stormwater to minimize flooding from heavy rain events.

Unified Stormwater Rule

A comprehensive, citywide stormwater management policy for new & redevelopment properties in NYC.

Tibbetts Brook Daylighting Project

We’re using green infrastructure to restore a stream that’s been covered for more than a century.

Rain Barrel Giveaway Program

We partner with elected officials to organize distribution events throughout New York City.