California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) Notices

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)).

Select for CEQA Online Postings

California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA)
The California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) was adopted in 1970 and incorporated in the Public Resources Code Section 21000-21177. Its basic purposes are to inform government decision-makers and the public about the potentially significant environmental effects of proposed activities; identify ways that environmental damage can be avoided or significantly reduced; require changes in the project through the use of alternatives or mitigation measures when feasible, and disclose to the public the reasons why a project was approved if significant environmental effects are involved. CEQA applies to projects undertaken, funded, or requiring an issuance of a permit by a public agency.

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) 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.

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.

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.

Fish and Wildlife filings are governed by California Code of Regulations Title 14, Section 753.5 and Fish and Wildlife Code Collection of Filing Fees. 

How to File an Environmental Impact Document with the County Clerk​
Submit an original (must be an original document, no electronic submittals) and four copies of the document, and a self-address envelope for return of the document after posting. Filings (including an original document) should be submitted in person or mailed to the Office of the County Clerk. For address, office hours, and contact information please go to Contact Us

Below is the table of current fees. There is an additional $75 County Clerk Processing Fee for each CEQA notice filed with the County Clerk's Office.

CEQA Filing Document	Fee Type	*2022 Fee(s)
Notice of Determination - Negative Declaration (ND)	CEQA Filing County Clerk Processing	$2,548.00 $75.00
Notice of Determination - Mitigated Negative Declaration (MND)	CEQA Filing County Clerk Processing	$2,548.00 $75.00
Notice of Exemption (NOE)	CEQA Filing County Clerk Processing	No CEQA Fee $75.00
Environmental Impact Report (EIR)	CEQA Filing County Clerk Processing	$3,539.25 $75.00

There is no charge for posting other notices (Notice of Public Hearing, Notice of Intent, Notice of Availability, etc.).