CINXE.COM

<!doctype html>     <html class="no-js" lang="en"> <head>  <meta charset="utf-8"> <title>CEQA Guidelines - Office of Land Use and Climate Innovation</title> <meta name="Author" content="State of California" /> <meta name="Description" content="Key resources for understanding and implementing the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA)." /> <meta name="Keywords" content="<B>Error processing SSI file</B><BR> , California Environmental Quality Act, CEQA Guidelines" />  <link rel="dns-prefetch" href="//fonts.googleapis.com">   <script defer src="https://alert.cdt.ca.gov" crossorigin="anonymous"></script>    <meta http-equiv="X-UA-Compatible" content="IE=edge">  <meta name="HandheldFriendly" content="True">  <meta name="MobileOptimized" content="320">  <meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1.0, minimum-scale=1.0">  <link href="https://fonts.googleapis.com/css?family=Roboto:300,400,400i,700|Merriweather:400,700&display=swap" rel="stylesheet">  <link rel="stylesheet" href="/css/cagov.core.css"> <script src="/js/search.js"></script> <link rel="stylesheet" href="/css/colorscheme-oceanside.css"> <link rel="stylesheet" href="/css/opr-core-new.css">    <script src="https://code.jquery.com/jquery-3.4.1.min.js" integrity="sha256-CSXorXvZcTkaix6Yvo6HppcZGetbYMGWSFlBw8HfCJo=" crossorigin="anonymous"></script> <script> //Fall back to local copy if no jquery found if (typeof jQuery == 'undefined') { document.write(unescape("%3Cscript src='/js/libs/jquery.js' type='text/javascript'%3E%3C/script%3E")); } </script>  <script src="https://code.jquery.com/jquery-migrate-3.1.0.min.js"></script> <script> //Fall back to local copy if no jQuery migrate found if (typeof jQuery.migrateWarnings == 'undefined') { // or typeof jQuery.fn.live == 'undefined' document.write(unescape("%3Cscript src='/js/libs/jquery-migrate.min.js' type='text/javascript'%3E%3C/script%3E")); } </script> <link rel="stylesheet" href="https://use.fontawesome.com/releases/v5.15.1/css/all.css"> <link rel="stylesheet" href="https://use.fontawesome.com/releases/v5.15.1/css/v4-shims.css"> <script src="https://kit.fontawesome.com/0a469d6f9c.js" crossorigin="anonymous"></script>    <link rel="apple-touch-icon" href="/images/apple-touch-icon.png"> <link rel="manifest" href="/images/site.webmanifest">  <link rel="shortcut icon" href="/favicon.ico">        <script async src="https://www.googletagmanager.com/gtag/js?id=G-K9SCBG6G33"></script> <script> window.dataLayer = window.dataLayer || []; function gtag(){dataLayer.push(arguments);} gtag('js', new Date()); gtag('config', 'G-69TD0KNT0F', {'cookie_domain': '.opr.ca.gov'}); // statewide GA4 measurement ID gtag('config', 'G-K9SCBG6G33', {'cookie_domain': '.opr.ca.gov'}); // individual agency GA4 measurement ID </script> </head> <body> <header role="banner" id="header" class="global-header fixed"> <div id="skip-to-content"><a href="#main-content">Skip to Main Content</a></div>  <div class="location-settings section section-standout collapse collapsed " id="locationSettings"> <div class="container p-y"> <button type="button" class="close" data-toggle="collapse" data-target="#locationSettings" aria-expanded="false" aria-controls="locationSettings" aria-label="Close"> <span aria-hidden="true">×</span> </button> <div class="form-group form-inline"> <label for="locationZipCode">Saving your location allows us to provide you with more relevant information.</label> <input type="input" class="form-control" id="locationZipCode" placeholder="Zip Code"> <button type="button" class="btn btn-primary">Set Location</button> </div> </div> </div>    <div class="utility-header"> <div class="container"> <div class="group flex-row"> <div class="social-media-links"> <div class="header-cagov-logo"><a href="https://ca.gov"><span class="sr-only">CA.gov</span><img src="/images/cagov-logo-white.svg" class="pos-rel" alt="" aria-hidden="true" /></a></div> <a href="/" class="ca-gov-icon-home"><span class="sr-only">Home</span></a> <a href="https://x.com/Cal_LCI" class="ca-gov-icon-twitter"><span class="sr-only">Twitter</span></a> <a href="https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCTBmAaS7WDxOcyjo85dcXtA" class="ca-gov-icon-youtube"><span class="sr-only">YouTube</span></a> <a href="mailto:webmaster@opr.ca.gov" class="ca-gov-icon-email"><span class="sr-only">Email</span></a> </div> <div class="settings-links"> <a href="/about/">About LCI</a> <a href="/publications.html">Publications</a> <a href="/e-lists.html">E-Lists</a> <button class="btn btn-xs btn-primary" data-toggle="collapse" data-target="#siteSettings" aria-expanded="false" aria-controls="siteSettings"><i class="fal fa-universal-access" style="font-size: 16px; vertical-align: -1px;"></i>  Settings</button> </div> </div> </div> </div>  <div class="section-default"> <div class="section-default">  <div class="branding"> <div class="header-organization-banner"><a href="/"><img src="/images/LCI_logo_rgb_horizontal_full.svg" alt="Governor's Office of Land Use and Climate Innovation logo" /></a></div> </div> </div> </div>   <div class="mobile-controls"> <span class="mobile-control-group mobile-header-icons">  </span> <div class="mobile-control-group main-nav-icons"> <button class="mobile-control toggle-search"> <span class="ca-gov-icon-search hidden-print" aria-hidden="true"></span><span class="sr-only">Search</span> </button> <button id="nav-icon3" class="mobile-control toggle-menu" aria-expanded="false" aria-controls="navigation" data-toggle="collapse" data-target="#navigation"> <span></span> <span></span> <span></span> <span></span> <span class="sr-only">Menu</span> </button> </div> </div> <div class="navigation-search full-width-nav container full-width-nav container"> <div id="head-search" class="search-container featured-search featured-search">      <div class="container"> <form id="Search" class="pos-rel" action="/serp.html"> <span class="sr-only" id="SearchInput">Custom Google Search</span> <input type="text" id="q" name="q" aria-labelledby="SearchInput" placeholder="Search this website" class="height-50 border-0 p-x-sm w-100 search-textfield" /> <button type="submit" class="pos-abs gsc-search-button top-0 width-50 height-50 border-0 bg-transparent"><i class="fas fa-search"></i><span class="sr-only">Submit</span></button> <div class="width-50 height-50 close-search-btn"><button class="close-search gsc-clear-button width-50 height-50 border-0 bg-transparent pos-rel" type="reset"><span class="sr-only">Close Search</span><span class="ca-gov-icon-close-mark" aria-hidden="true"></span></button></div> </form> </div> </div>   <nav id="navigation" class="main-navigation megadropdown auto-highlight no-icons" aria-label="site navigation"> <ul id="nav_list" class="top-level-nav"> <li class="nav-item"> <a href="/ceqa/" class="first-level-link">CEQA & Federal Grants</a> <div class="sub-nav"> <div class="second-level-nav flex"> <a href="/ceqa/getting-started/" class="second-level-link nav-orange"> <i class="fad fa-exclamation-circle sub-nav-icon"></i> <p class="h3 sub-nav-link">CEQA: Getting Started</p> <p class="link-description">A helpful guide for anyone who is just getting started learning about or implementing CEQA</p> </a> <a href="/sch/" class="second-level-link nav-red"> <i class="fad fa-briefcase sub-nav-icon"></i> <p class="h3 sub-nav-link">State Clearinghouse</p> <p class="link-description">Review of environmental documents prepared for CEQA</p> </a> <a href="/ceqa/" class="second-level-link nav-green"> <i class="fad fa-car-building sub-nav-icon"></i> <p class="h3 sub-nav-link">California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA)</p> <p class="link-description">Reducing the potential environmental impacts of proposed projects</p> </a> <a href="/sch/federal-grants/" class="second-level-link nav-blue"> <i class="fad fa-university sub-nav-icon"></i> <p class="h3 sub-nav-link">Federal Assistance</p> <div class="link-description">Executive Order 12372 and federal grant resources</div> </a> </div> <div class="second-level-nav flex with-border"> <a href="/ceqa/guidelines/" class="second-level-link"> CEQA Guidelines <div class="link-description">Key resources for understanding and implementing CEQA</div> </a> <a href="/ceqa/sb-743/" class="second-level-link"> Transportation SB 743 <div class="link-description">Information on how transportation impacts are analyzed under CEQA</div> </a> <a href="/ceqa/judicial-streamlining/" class="second-level-link"> Judicial Streamlining <div class="link-description">Judicial streamlining for Environmental Leadership Development Projects (SB 7 and AB 900)</div> </a> <a href="/ceqa/technical-advisories.html" class="second-level-link"> Technical Advisories <p class="link-description">Resources to help practitioners use and comply with CEQA</p> </a> </div> </div> </li> <li class="nav-item"> <a href="/planning/" class="first-level-link">Planning & Land Use</a> <div class="sub-nav"> <div class="second-level-nav flex"> <a href="/planning/general-plan/" class="second-level-link nav-blue"> <i class="fad fa-city sub-nav-icon"></i> <p class="h3 sub-nav-link">General Plan Information</p> <p class="link-description">Technical guidance and other resources to help draft and update general plans</p> </a> <a href="/planning/transportation/" class="second-level-link nav-green"> <i class="fad fa-car sub-nav-icon"></i> <p class="h3 sub-nav-link">Transportation</p> <p class="link-description">Resources to support transportation planning in California, including SB 743</p> </a> <a href="/planning/land-use/military-affairs/" class="second-level-link nav-yellow"> <i class="fad fa-star sub-nav-icon fa-swap-opacity" style="--fa-secondary-opacity: 0.60"></i> <p class="h3 sub-nav-link">Military Affairs</p> <p class="link-description">Information about LCI’s‘ collaboration with the military on land use planning energy policy</p> </a> <a href="/planning/land-use/" class="second-level-link nav-red"> <i class="fad fa-drafting-compass sub-nav-icon"></i> <p class="h3 sub-nav-link">Land Use Resources</p> <p class="link-description">Resources to support local governments with sustainable, resilient land use planning</p> </a> </div> </div> </li> <li class="nav-item"> <a href="/climate/" class="first-level-link">Climate Resilience</a> <div class="sub-nav"> <div class="second-level-nav flex"> <a href="/climate/" class="second-level-link nav-purple"> <i class="fad fa-exclamation-circle sub-nav-icon" aria-hidden="true"></i> <p class="h3 sub-nav-link">Getting Started with Climate Resilience</p> <p class="link-description">Introduction to climate change risk and resilience, state initiatives, and resources for taking action</p> </a> <a href="/climate/icarp/" class="second-level-link nav-red"> <i class="fad fa-temperature-hot sub-nav-icon"></i> <p class="h3 sub-nav-link">Integrated Climate Adaptation & Resiliency Program (ICARP)</p> <p class="link-description">Statewide collaboration to prepare California for the impacts of climate change</p> </a> <a href="/climate/icarp/grants/" class="second-level-link nav-green"> <i class="fa-duotone fa-file-contract sub-nav-icon"></i> <p class="h3 sub-nav-link">ICARP Grant Programs</p> <p class="link-description">Grant programs to support local, regional, and tribal climate adaptation and resilience.</p> </a> <a href="/climate/icarp/climate-assessment/" class="second-level-link nav-blue"> <i class="fad fa-chart-network sub-nav-icon"></i> <p class="h3 sub-nav-link">Climate Assessment, Science, and Research</p> <p class="link-description">California’s Climate Change Assessment, research priorities, and visualization tools</p> </a> </div> <div class="second-level-nav flex with-border"> <a href="/climate/icarp/services.html" class="second-level-link"> ICARP Climate Services <div class="link-description">ICARP technical assistance, decision-support tools, guidance, and other adaptation and resilience resources.</div> </a> <a href="/climate/planning-resources.html" class="second-level-link"> Climate Resilience Planning Resources <div class="link-description">Resources, guidance, and technical assistance for planners and communities to plan and implement local climate change resilience goals. </div> </a> <a href="/climate/icarp/tac/" class="second-level-link"> ICARP Technical Advisory Council <div class="link-description">Statewide council that guides LCI in the development of integrated and equitable climate resilience strategies</div> </a> <a href="/climate/long-term-recovery.html" class="second-level-link"> Long-Term Recovery and Resilience <div class="link-description">Supporting local communities with long term recovery efforts that build resilience to climate impacts and long-term recovery.</div> </a> </div> </div> </li> </ul> </nav> </div> <div class="header-decoration"></div> </header> <div id="main-content" class="main-content"> <main class="main-primary"> <div class="container"> <div class="page-header"> <ol class="breadcrumb"> <li><a href="/">Home</a></li> <li><a href="/ceqa/">CEQA</a></li> <li class="active">Guidelines </li> </ol> <h1> CEQA Guidelines </h1> <p class="page-description">Information on the regulations implementing the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA). </p>  <div class="on-page-links-button"><a href="#on-page-panel" class="collapsed" data-toggle="collapse" aria-expanded="false"><i class="far fa-file-search"></i></a></div> <nav class="on-page-links collapse" id="on-page-panel"> <div class="on-page-back-to-top"><a href="#top">Back to Top</a></div> <span class="on-this-page">On This Page:</span> <ul> <li><a href="#what-are">What are the Guidelines? </a></li> <li><a href="#updates">Updates</a></li> <li><a href="#for-more-info">For More Info</a></li> </ul> <div class="on-page-close-link"><a href="#on-page-panel" data-toggle="collapse" aria-expanded="true">Close</a></div> </nav> </div> </div> <section> <div class="container m-b-lg"> <h2><a id="what-are"></a>What are the CEQA Guidelines?</h2> <div class="text-main"> <p>The CEQA Guidelines (Title 14, Division 6, Chapter 3 of the California Code of Regulations) are administrative regulations governing implementation of the California Environmental Quality Act. The CEQA Guidelines reflect the requirements set forth in the Public Resources Code, as well as court decisions interpreting the statute and practical planning considerations. Among other things, the CEQA Guidelines explain how to determine whether an activity is subject to environmental review, what steps are involved in the environmental review process, and the required content of environmental documents. The CEQA Guidelines apply to public agencies throughout the state, including local governments, special districts, and State agencies.</p> <p>Public Resources Code section 21083 requires the Office of Planning and Research and the Natural Resources Agency to periodically update the CEQA Guidelines.</p> </div> </div> </section> <section class="focus-block" style="background-image: url('/ceqa/images/guidelines-back.jpg')"> <div class="container"> <a href="https://www.califaep.org/statute_and_guidelines.php" class="element-block element-green"> <div class="element-header">Full Statute & Guidelines</div> <div class="element-body">To review the CEQA statute and the CEQA Guidelines in their entirety, please see the Association of Environmental Professionals’ electronic CEQA Guidelines book.</div> <div class="element-button">go to califaep.org</div> </a> </div> </section> <section> <div class="container"> <h2><a id="updates"></a>Updates</h2> <div class="row element-group-color"> <div class="col-12 col-lg-6"> <a href="/ceqa/guidelines/updates.html" class="element-block"> <div class="element-header">2018 CEQA Guidelines Update </div> <div class="element-body">The California Natural Resources Agency, with assistance from OPR, completed a comprehensive update to the CEQA Guidelines in late 2018. </div> <div class="element-button">go to page</div> </a> </div> <div class="col-12 col-lg-6"> <a href="/ceqa/sb-743/" class="element-block"> <div class="element-header">Transportation Impacts (SB 743)</div> <div class="element-body">For more information on the specific proposal to update the CEQA Guideline addressing transportation analyses, visit Transportation Impacts (SB 743)</div> <div class="element-button">go to page</div> </a> </div> </div> </div> </section> <section class="m-t-md m-b-lg"> <div class="container"> <div class="text-main"> <h2><a id="for-more-info"></a>For More Information</h2> <div class="element-block element-author"> <div class="element-image" style="background-image: url('/about/staff/images/shannon-clark.jpg')"></div> <div class="element-header">Shannon Clark</div> <div class="element-body">Ms. Clark and the Legal Team provide legal advice to the Office on a range of legal issues covering the scope of the Office’s statutory charge, including environmental and land use law.</div> <div class="element-click-email"><a href="mailto:shannon.clark@opr.ca.gov "><i class="fa fa-envelope fa-fw text-muted" aria-hidden="true"></i>  shannon.clark@opr.ca.gov</a></div> </div> </div> </div> </section> </main> </div>  <footer id="footer" class="global-footer"> <div class="container"> <div class="row"> <div class="three-quarters"> <ul class="footer-links"> <li><a href="#skip-to-content">Back to Top</a></li> <li><a href="/conditions-of-use.html">Conditions of Use</a></li> <li><a href="/privacy.html">Privacy Policy</a></li> <li><a href="/accessibility.html">Accessibility</a></li> <li><a href="/about/contact-us.html">Contact Us</a></li> </ul> </div> <div class="quarter text-right"> <ul class="socialsharer-container"> <li><a class="ca-gov-icon-twitter" title="Twitter channel" tabindex="0" href="https://twitter.com/Cal_OPR"><span class="sr-only">Twitter</span></a></li> <li><a class="ca-gov-icon-youtube" title="email" tabindex="0" href="https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCTBmAaS7WDxOcyjo85dcXtA"><span class="sr-only">YouTube</span></a></li> <li><a class="ca-gov-icon-email" title="email" tabindex="0" href="mailto:webmaster@opr.ca.gov"><span class="sr-only">Email the Webmaster</span></a></li> </ul> </div> </div> </div>  <div class="copyright"> <div class="container">Copyright © <script>document.write(new Date().getFullYear())</script> State of California</div> </div> </footer>  <div class="decoration-last"> </div>  <script src="/js/cagov.core.js"></script> <script async src="https://siteimproveanalytics.com/js/siteanalyze_6292965.js"></script> <script> $(document).ready(function() { // Backward compatability fix for removing wrapper on new "sections" $('.main-primary > .section').closest('div.wrapper').removeClass('wrapper'); }); </script> </body> </html>