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Contact

Julia Pujo
Environmental Analyst
(805) 564-5470 x 4467
JPujo@SantaBarbaraCA.gov

Title

Environmental Review Project Guidance

Body

The California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) is the environmental protection law most frequently applied to land use decisions. CEQA is a complex law with a simple purpose: to assure that decision makers understand and account for the environmental consequences of a project.

Sections
Screening Checklist
Archaeological Resources Guide
MAPS

What Type of Review is Required?

1
Is the Project Subject to CEQA

Only discretionary applications are subject to environmental review.

2
Does an Exemption Apply?

A project may be exempt from CEQA under state law or regulations.

3
Is an Initial Study Required?

If not exempt, planning staff will prepare an initial study and make one of these determinations:

  • Negative Declaration. If the initial study shows that the project will not have a significant effect on the environment, a negative declaration will be prepared and circulated for public comment.
  • Mitigated Negative Declaration. A mitigated negative declaration may be prepared if revisions are made to avoid or mitigate the significant effects.
  • Environmental Impact Report. If significant environmental effects cannot be mitigated, an environmental impact report must be prepared. Decision-makers must adopt a "statement of overriding considerations" explaining the specific social or economic factors they considered to approve the project in spite of the environmental concerns.

MEA Guidelines

The California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) allows public agencies to develop Master Environmental Assessments (MEAs) to identify, inventory, and organize environmental resources and data. These guidelines support the preparation of environmental review documents and help determine whether a project may result in significant environmental effects.