The California Environmental Quality Act was adopted in 1970 and incorporated in the Public Resources Code Section 21000-21177. CEQA requires state and local government agencies to inform decision makers and the public about potential environmental impacts of proposed projects, and to reduce those environmental impacts to the extent feasible before approving plans and policies or committing to a course of action on a project. CEQA applies to projects undertaken, funded, or requiring an issuance of a permit by a public agency. The laws and rules governing the CEQA process are contained in the CEQA statute Public Resources Code Section 21000, the CEQA Guidelines California Code of Regulations, Title 14, Section 15000. For more information about the CEQA process visit opr.ca.gov/ceqa 

Environmental impact documents, agendas, and notices are filed with the Office of the County Clerk and are posted for 30 days. All notices will be posted within 24 hours of receipt in the County Clerk's Office (Public Resources Code 21152(c)).

Note: To view all CEQA documentation that has been filed in our office, please visit our CEQA Filings Search Page.

These include:

Notice of Preparation (NOP) of an Environmental Impact Report 
(California Code of Regulations 15082) 

The lead agency shall send a notice of preparation stating that an environmental impact report will be prepared to the Office of Planning and Research and each responsible and trustee agency and file with the county clerk of each county in which the project will be located.  

Environmental Impact Report (EIR)
(California Code of Regulations 15087, 15089)

An Environmental Impact Report (EIR) is a detailed report about a project's environmental effects, ways to minimize the project's significant environmental effects, and reasonable alternatives to the project.

Notice of Determination (NOD)
(California Code of Regulations 15075, 15094)

A Notice of Determination (NOD) is a notice filed with the County Clerk's Office following project approval that describes a project and identifies expected environmental impacts if any. The type of determination is specified in the notice (Negative Declaration or Mitigated Negative Declaration, California Code of Regulations 15072)) and indicates if California Department of Fish and Wildlife fees are required. A filing of a Notice of Determination starts a 30-day period for a legal challenge.

Notice of Exemption (NOE)
(California Code of Regulations15062)

A Notice of Exemption (NOE) is a brief notice filed at the County Clerk's office, which states the Lead Agency has approved or will carry out a project that is exempt from the requirements of CEQA. 

What is required in order to file a CEQA notice?

In order to file a CEQA notice with the County Clerk, you must present one original, one copy and the filing fees pursuant to Fish & Game Code §§711.4 in order to file a Notice of Determination or Notice of Exemption. Any additional copies provided will be filed and returned to you as proof of filing.