California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA)

The California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) is California's broadest environmental law, established in 1970. CEQA helps to guide the public decision-making process, develop transparency, and ensure that land-use decisions take the full impact of the development on natural and human environments into account. CEQA applies to all discretionary projects proposed to be conducted or approved by a public agency within California, including private projects requiring discretionary government approval. It is considered one of the most powerful environmental protection laws in the nation.

For more information on CEQA visit:

• CEQA FAQ
• California State CEQA Information
• 2021 CEQA Flow Chart from 2021 State Statue & Guidelines Handbook
• Nevada County Land Use and Development Code: Chapter XIII: CEQA
• CEQA Recording from Community Meeting on Thursday, April 1, 2021