CEQA GUIDELINES
California Code of Regulations, Title 14, Division 6, Chapter 3,

Article 18. Statutory Exemptions. (Section 15260-15285)

-Section 15260. General.
-Section 15261. Ongoing Project.
-Section 15262. Feasibility and Planning Studies.
-Section 15263. Discharge Requirements.
-Section 15264. Timberland Preserves.
-Section 15265. Adoption of Coastal Plans and Programs.
-Section 15266. General Plan Time Extension.
-Section 15267. Financial Assistance to Low Moderate Income Housing.
-Section 15268. Ministerial Projects.
-Section 15269. Emergency Projects.
-Section 15270. Projects Which Are Disapproved.
-Section 15271. Early Activities Related to Thermal Power Plants.
-Section 15272. Olympic Games.
-Section 15273. Rates, Tolls, Fares, and Charges.
-Section 15274. Family Day Care Homes.
-Section 15275. Specified Mass Transit Projects.
-Section 15276. Transportation Improvement and Congestion Management Programs.
-Section 15277. Projects Located Outside California.
-Section 15278. Application of Coatings.
-Section 15281. Air Quality Permits.
-Section 15282. Other Statutory Exemptions.
-Section 15283. Housing Needs Allocations.
-Section 15284. Pipelines.
-Section 15285. Transit Agency Responses to Revenue Shortfalls.

Section 15260. General.
This article describes the exemptions from CEQA granted by the Legislature. The exemptions take several forms. Some exemptions are complete exemptions from CEQA. Other exemptions apply to only part of the requirements of CEQA, and still other exemptions apply only to the timing of CEQA compliance.
Back to the Top

Section 15261. Ongoing Project.
(a) If a project being carried out by a public agency was approved prior to November 23, 1970, the project shall be exempt from CEQA unless either of the following conditions exists:

(1) A substantial portion of public funds allocated for the project have not been spent, and it is still feasible to modify the project to mitigate potentially adverse environmental effects, or to choose feasible alternatives to the project, including the alternative of "no project" or halting the project; provided that a project subject to the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) shall be exempt from CEQA as an on-going project if, under regulations promulgated under NEPA, the project would be too far advanced as of January 1, 1970, to require preparation of an EIS.

(2) A public agency proposes to modify the project in such a way that the project might have a new significant effect on the environment.

(b) A private project shall be exempt from CEQA if the project received approval of a lease, license, certificate, permit, or other entitlement for use from a public agency prior to April 5, 1973, subject to the following provisions:

(1) CEQA does not prohibit a public agency from considering environmental factors in connection with the approval or disapproval of a project, or from imposing reasonable fees on the appropriate private person or entity for preparing an environmental report under authority other than CEQA. Local agencies may require environmental reports for projects covered by this paragraph pursuant to local ordinances during this interim period.

(2) Where a project was approved prior to December 5, 1972, and prior to that date the project was legally challenged for noncompliance with CEQA, the project shall be bound by special rules set forth in Section 21170 of CEQA.

(3) Where a private project has been granted a discretionary governmental approval for part of the project before April 5, 1973, and another or additional discretionary governmental approvals after April 5, 1973, the project shall be subject to CEQA only if the approval or approvals after April 5, 1973, involve a greater degree of responsibility or control over the project as a whole than did the approval or approvals prior to that date.
Back to the Top

Section 15262. Feasibility and Planning Studies.
A project involving only feasibility or planning studies for possible future actions which the agency, board, or commission has not approved, adopted, or funded does not require the preparation of an EIR or negative declaration but does require consideration of environmental factors. This section does not apply to the adoption of a plan that will have a legally binding effect on later activities.
Back to the Top

Section 15263. Discharge Requirements.
The State Water Resources Control Board and the regional boards are exempt from the requirement to prepare an EIR or a negative declaration prior to the adoption of waste discharge requirements, except requirements for new sources as defined in the Federal Water Pollution Control Act or in other acts which amend or supplement the Federal Water Pollution Control Act. The term "waste discharge requirements" as used in this section is the equivalent of the term "permits" as used in the Federal Water Pollution Control Act.
Back to the Top

Section 15264. Timberland Preserves.
Local agencies are exempt from the requirement to prepare an EIR or negative declaration on the adoption of timberland preserve zones under Government Code Sections 51100 et seq. (Gov. Code, Sec. 51119).
Back to the Top

Section 15265. Adoption of Coastal Plans and Programs.
(a) CEQA does not apply to activities and approvals pursuant to the California Coastal Act (commencing with Section 30000 of the Public Resources Code) by:

(1) Any local government, as defined in Section 30109 of the Public Resources Code, necessary for the preparation and adoption of a local coastal program, or

(2) Any state university or college, as defined in Section 30119, as necessary for the preparation and adoption of a long-range land use development plan.

(b) CEQA shall apply to the certification of a local coastal program or long-range land use development plan by the California Coastal Commission.

(c) This section shifts the burden of CEQA compliance from the local agency or the state university or college to the California Coastal Commission. The Coastal Commission's program of certifying local coastal programs and long-range land use development plans has been certified under Section 21080.5, Public Resources Code. See Section 15192.
Back to the Top

Section 15266. General Plan Time Extension.
CEQA shall not apply to the granting of an extension of time by the Office of Planning and Research to a city or county for the preparation and adoption of one or more elements of a city or county general plan.
Back to the Top

Section 15267. Financial Assistance to Low Moderate Income Housing.
CEQA does not apply to actions taken by the Department of Housing and Community Development to provide financial assistance for the development and construction of residential housing for persons and families of low or moderate income, as defined in Section 50093 of the Health and Safety Code. The residential project which is the subject of the application for financial assistance will be subject to CEQA when approvals are granted by another agency.
Back to the Top

Section 15268. Ministerial Projects.
(a) Ministerial projects are exempt from the requirements of CEQA. The determination of what is "ministerial" can most appropriately be made by the particular public agency involved based upon its analysis of its own laws, and each public agency should make such determination either as a part of its implementing regulations or on a case-by-case basis.

(b) In the absence of any discretionary provision contained in the local ordinance or other law establishing the requirements for the permit, license, or other entitlement for use, the following actions shall be presumed to be ministerial:

(1) Issuance of building permits.

(2) Issuance of business licenses.

(3) Approval of final subdivision maps.

(4) Approval of individual utility service connections and disconnections.

(c) Each public agency should, in its implementing regulations or ordinances, provide an identification or itemization of its projects and actions which are deemed ministerial under the applicable laws and ordinances.

(d) Where a project involves an approval that contains elements of both a ministerial action and a discretionary action, the project will be deemed to be discretionary and will be subject to the requirements of CEQA.
Back to the Top

Section 15269. Emergency Projects.
The following emergency projects are exempt from the requirements of CEQA.
(a) Projects to maintain, repair, restore, demolish, or replace property or facilities damaged or destroyed as a result of a disaster in a disaster stricken area in which a state of emergency has been proclaimed by the Governor pursuant to the California Emergency Services Act, commencing with Section 8550 of the Government Code. This includes projects that will remove, destroy, or significantly alter an historical resource when that resource represents an imminent threat to the public of bodily harm or of damage to adjacent property or when the project has received a determination by the State Office of Historic Preservation pursuant to Section 5028(b) of Public Resources Code.

(b) Emergency repairs to publicly or privately owned service facilities necessary to maintain service essential to the public health, safety or welfare.

(c) Specific actions necessary to prevent or mitigate an emergency. This does not include long-term projects undertaken for the purpose of preventing or mitigating a situation that has a low probability of occurrence in the short-term.

(d) Projects undertaken, carried out, or approved by a public agency to maintain, repair, or restore an existing highway damaged by fire, flood, storm, earthquake, land subsidence, gradual earth movement, or landslide, provided that the project is within the existing right of way of that highway and is initiated within one year of the damage occurring. This exemption does not apply to highways designated as official state scenic highways, nor any project undertaken, carried out, or approved by a public agency to expand or widen a highway damaged by fire, flood, storm, earthquake, land subsidence, gradual earth movement, or landslide.

(e) Seismic work on highways and bridges pursuant to Section180.2 of the Streets and Highways Code, Section 180 et seq.
Back to the Top

Section 15270. Projects Which Are Disapproved.
(a) CEQA does not apply to projects which a public agency rejects or disapproves.

(b) This section is intended to allow an initial screening of projects on the merits for quick disapprovals prior to the initiation f the CEQA process where the agency can determine that the project cannot be approved.

(c) This section shall not relieve an applicant from paying the costs for an EIR or negative declaration prepared for his project prior to the lead agency's disapproval of the project after normal evaluation and processing.
Back to the Top

Section 15271. Early Activities Related to Thermal Power Plants.
(a) CEQA does not apply to actions undertaken by a public agency relating to any thermal power plant site or facility, including the expenditure, obligation, or encumbrance of funds by a public agency for planning, engineering, or design purposes, or for the conditional sale or purchase of equipment, fuel, water (except groundwater), steam, or power for such a thermal power plant, if the thermal power plant site and related facility will be the subject of an EIR or negative declaration or other document or documents prepared pursuant to a regulatory program certified pursuant to Public Resources Code Section 21080.5, which will be prepared by:

(1) The State Energy Resources Conservation and Development Commission,

(2) The Public Utilities Commission, or

(3) The city or county in which the power plant and related facility would be located.

(b) The EIR, negative declaration, or other document prepared for the thermal power plant site or facility, shall include the environmental impact, if any, of the early activities described in this section.

(c) This section acts to delay the timing of CEQA compliance from the early activities of a utility to the time when a regulatory agency is requested to approve the thermal power plant and shifts the responsibility for preparing the document to the regulatory agency.
Back to the Top

Section 15272. Olympic Games.
CEQA does not apply to activities or approvals necessary to the bidding for, hosting or staging of, and funding or carrying out of, Olympic Games under the authority of the International Olympic Committee, except for the construction of facilities necessary for such Olympic Games. If the facilities are required by the International Olympic Committee as a condition of being awarded the Olympic Games, the lead agency need not discuss the "no project" alternative in an EIR with respect to those facilities.
Back to the Top

Section 15273. Rates, Tolls, Fares, and Charges.
(a) CEQA does not apply to the establishment, modification, structuring, restructuring, or approval of rates, tolls, fares, and other charges by public agencies which the public agency finds are for the purpose of:

(1) Meeting operating expenses, including employee wage rates and fringe benefits,

(2) Purchasing or leasing supplies, equipment, or materials,

(3)Meeting financial reserve needs and requirements,

(4) Obtaining funds for capital projects, necessary to maintain service within existing service areas, or

(5) Obtaining funds necessary to maintain such intra-city transfers as are authorized by city charter.

(b) Rate increases to fund capital projects for the expansion of a system remain subject to CEQA. The agency granting the rate increase shall act either as the lead agency if no other agency has prepared environmental documents for the capital project or as a responsible agency if another agency has already complied with CEQA as the lead agency.

(c) The public agency shall incorporate written findings in the record of any proceeding in which an exemption under this section is claimed setting forth with specificity the basis for the claim of exemption.
Back to the Top

Section 15274. Family Day Care Homes.
(a) CEQA does not apply to establishment or operation of a large family day care home, which provides in-home care for up to fourteen children, as defined in Section 1596.78 of the Health and Safety Code.

(b) Under the Health and Safety Code, local agencies cannot require use permits for the establishment or operation of a small family day care home, which provides in-home care for up to eight children, and the establishment or operation of a small family day care home is a ministerial action which is not subject to CEQA.
Back to the Top

Section 15275. Specified Mass Transit Projects.
CEQA does not apply to the following mass transit projects:
(a) The institution or increase of passenger or commuter service on rail lines or high-occupancy vehicle lanes already in use, including the modernization of existing stations and parking facilities;

(b) Facility extensions not to exceed four miles in length which are required for transfer of passengers from or to exclusive public mass transit guideway or busway public transit services.
Back to the Top

Section 15276. Transportation Improvement and Congestion Management
Programs.
(a) CEQA does not apply to the development or adoption of a regional transportation improvement program or the state transportation improvement program. Individual projects developed pursuant to these programs shall remain subject to CEQA.

(b) CEQA does not apply to preparation and adoption of a congestion management program by a county congestion management agency pursuant to Government Code Section 65089, et seq.
Back to the Top

Section 15277. Projects Located Outside California.
CEQA does not apply to any project or portion thereof located outside of California which will be subject to environmental impact review pursuant to the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 or pursuant to a law of that state requiring preparation of a document containing essentially the same points of analysis as in an environmental impact statement prepared under the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969. Any emissions or discharges that would have a significant effect on the environment in the State of California are subject to CEQA where a California public agency has authority over the emissions or discharges.
Back to the Top

Section 15278. Application of Coatings.
(a) CEQA does not apply to a discretionary decision by an air quality management district for a project consisting of the application of coatings within an existing facility at an automotive manufacturing plant if the district finds all of the following:

(1) The project will not cause a net increase in any emissions of any pollutant for which a national or state ambient air quality standard has been established after the internal emission accounting for previous emission reductions achieved at the facility and recognized by the district.

(2) The project will not cause a net increase in adverse impacts of toxic air contaminants as determined by a health risk assessment. The term "net increase in adverse impacts of toxic air contaminants as determined by a health risk assessment" shall be determined in accordance with the rules and regulations of the district.

(3) The project will not cause any other adverse effect on the environment.

(b) The district shall provide a 10-day notice, at the time of the issuance of the permit, of any such exemption. Notice shall be published in two newspapers of general circulation in the area of the project and shall be mailed to any person who makes a written request for such a notice. The notice shall state that the complete file on the project and the basis for the district's findings of exemption are available for inspection and copying at the office of the district.

(c) Any person may appeal the issuance of a permit based on an exemption under subdivision (a) to the hearing board as provided in Section 42302.1 of the Health and Safety Code. The permit shall be revoked by the hearing board if there is substantial evidence in light of the whole record before the board that the project may not satisfy one or more of the criteria established pursuant to subdivision (a). If there is no such substantial evidence, the exemption shall be upheld. Any appeal under this subdivision shall be scheduled for hearing on the calendar of the hearing board within 10 working days of the appeal being filed. The hearing board shall give the appeal priority on its calendar and shall render a decision on the appeal within 21 working days of the appeal being filed. The hearing board may delegate the authority to hear and decide such an appeal to a subcommittee of its body.
Back to the Top

Section 15281. Air Quality Permits.
CEQA does not apply to the issuance, modification, amendment, or renewal of any permit by an air pollution control district or air quality management district pursuant to Title V, as defined in Section 39053.3 of the Health and Safety Code, or pursuant to an air district Title V program established under Sections 42301.10, 42301.11, and 42301.12 of the Health and Safety Code, unless the issuance, modification, amendment, or renewal authorizes a physical or operational change to a source or facility.
Back to the Top

Section 15282. Other Statutory Exemptions.
The following is a list of existing statutory exemptions. Each subdivision summarizes statutory exemptions found in the California Code. Lead agencies are not to rely on the language contained in the summaries below but must rely on the actual statutory language that creates the exemption. This list is intended to assist lead agencies in finding them, but not as a substitute for them. This section is merely a reference tool.

(a) The notification of discovery of Native American burial sites as set forth in Section 5097.98(c) of the Public Resources Code.

(b) Specified prison facilities as set forth in Sections 21080.01, 21080.02, 21080.03 and 21080.07 of the Public Resources Code.

(c) The lease or purchase of the rail right-of-way used for the San Francisco Peninsula commute service between San Francisco and San Jose as set forth in Section 21080.05 of the Public Resources Code.

(d) Any activity or approval necessary for or incidental to project funding or authorization for the expenditure of funds for the project, by the Rural Economic Development Infrastructure Panel as set forth in Section 21080.08 of the Public Resources Code.

(e) The conversion of an existing rental mobilehome park to a resident initiated subdivision, cooperative, or condominium for mobilehomes as set forth in Section 21080.8 of the Public Resources Code.

(f) Settlements of title and boundary problems by the State Lands Commission and to exchanges or leases in connection with those settlements as set forth in Section 21080.11 of the Public Resources Code.

(g) Any railroad grade separation project which eliminates an existing grade crossing or which reconstructs an existing grade separation as set forth in Section 21080.13 of the Public Resources Code.

(h) The adoption of an ordinance regarding second units in a single-family or multifamily residential zone by a city or county to implement the provisions of Sections 65852.1 and 65852.2 of the Government Code as set forth in Section 21080.17 of the Public Resources Code.

(i) The closing of any public school or the transfer of students from that public school to another school in which kindergarten or any grades 1 through 12 is maintained as set forth in 21080.18 of the Public Resources Code.

(j) A project for restriping streets or highways to relieve traffic congestion as set forth in Section 21080.19 of the Public Resources Code.

(k) The installation of new pipeline or maintenance, repair, restoration, removal, or demolition of an existing pipeline as set forth in Section 21080.21 of the Public Resources Code, as long as the project does not exceed one mile in length.

(l) The activities and approvals by a local government necessary for the preparation of general plan amendments pursuant to Public Resources Code § 29763 as set forth in Section 21080.22 of the Public Resources Code. Section 29763 of the Public Resources Code refers to local government amendments made for consistency with the Delta Protection Commission's regional plan.

(m) Minor alterations to utilities made for the purposes of complying with Sections 116410 and 116415 of the Health and Safety Code as set forth in Section 21080.26 of the Public Resources Code.

(n) The adoption of an ordinance exempting a city or county from the provisions of the Solar Shade Control Act as set forth in Section 25985 of the Public Resources Code.

(o) The acquisition of land by the Department of Transportation if received or acquired within a statewide or regional priority corridor designated pursuant to Section 65081.3 of the Government Code as set forth in Section 33911 of the Public Resources Code.

(p) The adoption or amendment of a nondisposal facility element as set forth in Section 41735 of the Public Resources Code.

(q) Cooperative agreements for the development of Solid Waste Management Facilities on Indian country as set forth in Section 44203(g) of the Public Resources Code.

(r) Determinations made regarding a city or county's regional housing needs as set forth in Section 65584 of the Government Code.

(s) Any action necessary to bring a general plan or relevant mandatory element of the general plan into compliance pursuant to a court order as set forth in Section 65759 of the Government Code.

(t) Industrial Development Authority activities as set forth in Section 91543 of the Government Code.

(u) Temporary changes in the point of diversion, place of use, of purpose of use due to a transfer or exchange of water or water rights as set forth in Section 1729 of the Water Code.

(v) The preparation and adoption of Urban Water Management Plans pursuant to the provisions of Section 10652 of the Water Code.
Back to the Top

Section 15283. Housing Needs Allocations.
CEQA does not apply to regional housing needs determinations made by the Department of Housing and Community Development, a council of governments, or a city or county pursuant to Section 65584 of the Government Code.
Back to the Top

Section 15284. Pipelines.
(a) CEQA does not apply to any project consisting of the inspection, maintenance, repair, restoration, reconditioning, relocation, replacement, or removal of an existing hazardous or volatile liquid pipeline or any valve, flange, meter, or other piece of equipment that is directly attached to the pipeline.

(b) To qualify for this exemption, the diameter of the affected pipeline must not be increased and the project must be located outside the boundaries of an oil refinery. The project must also meet all of the following criteria:

(1) The affected section of pipeline is less than eight miles in length and actual construction and excavation activities are not undertaken over a length of more than one-half mile at a time.

(2) The affected section of pipeline is not less than eight miles distance from any section of pipeline that had been subject to this exemption in the previous 12 months.

(3) The project is not solely for the purpose of excavating soil that is contaminated by hazardous materials.

(4) To the extent not otherwise required by law, the person undertaking the project has, in advance of undertaking the project, prepared a plan that will result in notification of the appropriate agencies so that they may take action, if necessary, to provide for the emergency evacuation of members of the public who may be located in close proximity to the project, and those agencies, including but not limited to the local fire department, police, sheriff, and California Highway Patrol as appropriate, have reviewed and agreed to that plan.

(5) Project activities take place within an existing right-of-way and that right-of-way will be restored to its pre-project condition upon completion of the project.

(6) The project applicant will comply with all conditions otherwise authorized by law, imposed by the city or county as part of any local agency permit process, and to comply with the Keene-Nejedly California Wetlands Preservation Act (Public Resources Code Section 5810, et seq.), the California Endangered Species Act (Fish and Game Code Section 2050, et seq.), other applicable state laws, and all applicable federal laws.

(c) When the lead agency determines that a project meets all of the criteria of subdivisions (a) and (b), the party undertaking the project shall do all of the following:

(1) Notify in writing all responsible and trustee agencies, as well as any public agency with environmental, public health protection, or emergency response authority, of the lead agency's invocation of this exemption.

(2) Mail notice of the project to the last known name and address of all organizations and individuals who have previously requested such notice and notify the public in the affected area by at least one of the following procedures:

(A) Publication at least one time in a newspaper of general circulation in the area affected by the proposed project. If more than one area is affected, the notice shall be published in the newspaper of largest circulation from among the newspapers of general circulation in those areas.

(B) Posting of notice on and off site in the area where the project is to be located.

(C) Direct mailing to the owners and occupants of contiguous property shown on the latest equalized assessment roll.

The notice shall include a brief description of the proposed project and its location, and the date, time, and place of any public meetings or hearings on the proposed project. This notice may be combined with the public notice required under other law, as applicable, but shall meet the preceding minimum requirements.

(3) In the case of private rights-of-way over private property, receive from the underlying property owner permission for access to the property.

(4) Immediately inform the lead agency if any soil contaminated with hazardous materials is discovered.

(5) Comply with all conditions otherwise authorized by law, imposed by the city or county as part of any local agency permit process, and to comply with the Keene-Nejedly California Wetlands Preservation Act (Public Resources Code Section 5810, et seq.), the California Endangered Species Act (Fish and Game Code Section 2050, et seq.), other applicable state laws, and all applicable federal laws.

(d) For purposes of this section, "pipeline" is used as defined in subdivision (a) of Government Code Section 51010.5. This definition includes every intrastate pipeline used for the transportation of hazardous liquid substances or highly volatile liquid substances, including a common carrier pipeline, and all piping containing those substances located within a refined products bulk loading facility which is owned by a common carrier and is served by a pipeline of that common carrier, and the common carrier owns and serves by pipeline at least five such facilities in California.
Back to the Top

Section 15285. Transit Agency Responses to Revenue Shortfalls.
(a) CEQA does not apply to actions taken on or after July 1,1995 to implement budget reductions made by a publicly owned transit agency as a result of a fiscal emergency caused by the failure of agency revenues to adequately fund agency programs and facilities. Actions shall be limited to those directly undertaken by or financially supported in whole or in part by the transit agency pursuant to Section 15378(a)(1) or (2), including actions which reduce or eliminate the availability of an existing publicly owned transit service, facility, program, or activity.

(b) When invoking this exemption, the transit agency shall make a specific finding that there is a fiscal emergency. Before taking its proposed budgetary actions and making the finding of fiscal emergency, the transit agency shall hold a public hearing. After this public hearing, the transit agency shall respond within 30 days at a regular public meeting to suggestions made by the public at that initial hearing. The transit agency may make the finding of fiscal emergency only after it has responded to public suggestions.

(c) For purposes of this subdivision, "fiscal emergency" means that the transit agency is projected to have negative working capital within one year from the date that the agency finds that a fiscal emergency exists. "Working capital" is defined as the sum of all unrestricted cash, unrestricted short-term investments, and unrestricted short-term accounts receivable, minus unrestricted accounts payable. Employee retirements funds, including deferred compensation plans and Section 401(k) plans, health insurance reserves, bond payment reserves, worker's compensation reserves, and insurance reserves shall not be included as working capital.

(d) This exemption does not apply to the action of any publicly owned transit agency to reduce or eliminate a transit service, facility, program, or activity that was approved or adopted as a mitigation measure in any environmental document certified or adopted by any public agency under either CEQA or NEPA. Further, it does not apply to actions of the Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority.
Back to the Top

[Return to CEQA Guidelines]