Land-use glossary
CEQA
Also: California Environmental Quality Act
The state law requiring agencies to identify and reduce the environmental effects of the projects they approve.
Before approving a discretionary project, a California agency must consider its environmental effects under CEQA. The agency first decides whether the project is exempt. If it isn't, the agency prepares an initial study and then a negative declaration, a mitigated negative declaration, or an environmental impact report.
Almost every land-use item includes a CEQA determination, and the decision-making body adopts or certifies it with the project. Lawsuits challenging CEQA compliance must be filed within short deadlines after the decision.
What to look for on the agenda
- Which CEQA document or exemption the item relies on
- Whether the action certifies an EIR or adopts a mitigation monitoring program
- Whether a notice of exemption or determination will be filed
Where the rules come from: Cal. Pub. Res. Code §21000 et seq.; CEQA Guidelines, Cal. Code Regs. tit. 14, §15000 et seq.. Each city's own code adds its details.
Related terms
A general explainer, not legal advice. How we work.