The City’s environmental review process is established by the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA). The California Environmental Quality Act was enacted in 1970, and is similar to the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA).

The City’s Municipal Code specifically assigns the responsibility for implementation of CEQA to the Planning Department and is charged with maintaining independence and objectivity in its review and analysis of the environmental consequences of development projects under its purview.

The CEQA & Policy Review Section reviews City (public) projects and other actions under CEQA for potential environmental impacts; prepares environmental documents; directs the work of outside environmental consultants; and works with public project applicants and stakeholders to ensure that all feasible environmental mitigation measures or project alternatives are incorporated to minimize or preclude adverse impacts to the environment. In addition, the CEQA and Policy Review section works with the Development Services Department to provide CEQA training to community planning groups.

Resources

City of San Diego California Environmental Quality Act Significance Determination Thresholds

Climate Action Plan Consistency Checklist

CEQA Documents

• Draft CEQA Documents
• Public Notice of the Preparation of an EIR
• Final CEQA Documents 

Draft CEQA Documents

• September 19, 2017 (Via De La Valle) / Via De La Valle Retaining Walls Erosion Control Maintenance Project / Project No. 490737 / Draft MND – Public review ends: October 9, 2017

  • Cultural Resources Survey

  • Paleontological Resources Assessment

• June 29, 2017 FY2015 Underground Utility District Projects San Diego Avenue (UU598) and Cesar Chavez Parkway (UU27) / Project No. 419856 / Draft MND - Public Review Ends: July 20, 2017

• May 2, 2017 Notice of Extension: Serra Mesa Community Plan Amendment Roadway Connection Project EIR / Public Review Ends May 30, 2017

• March 29, 2017 (Serra Mesa, Mission Valley) Serra Mesa Community Plan Amendment Roadway Connection Project / Project No. 265605 / Recirculated Draft EIR – Public Review Ends: May 15, 2017

  • Appendix A: Notice of Preparation and Scoping Comments

  • Appendix B: Proposed Serra Mesa Community Plan Amendment

  • Appendix C: Traffic Impact Study

  • Appendix D: Air Quality Monitoring

  • Appendix E: Noise Assessment

  • Appendix F: Biological Resources

  • Appendix G: Geological Reconnaissance

  • Appendix H: Vehicle Miles Traveled Output and Summary

• January 20, 2017 (Navajo, East Elliott, Tierrasanta, Rancho Encantada) Mission Trail Regional Park Master Plan Update, Natural Resources Management Plan and Community Plan Technical Amendments / Draft PEIR / Project No. 349988 / Public Review Ends: March 8, 2017

  • NOP-Scoping Report
  • Visual Resources
  • Cultural Resources Report
  • Hazardous Materials
  • Water Quality Study
  • Geologic Reconnaissance
  • Supplemental Geologic Hazard Analysis
  • Paleontological Resource Assessment
  • Traffic and Parking Memorandum
  • Utilities Easement Review

The Master Plan Update, Natural Resources Management Plan and Community Plan Technical Amendments can be reviewed here.

• Nov. 3, 2016 (Pacific Beach) Undergrounding Utility District Project Residential Block 2BB / Project No. 511042 / Draft MND – Public Review Ends Nov. 23, 2016
• Sept. 30, 2016   Vernal Pool Habitat Conservation Plan / Project No. 441044 / Draft EIR-EIS / Public Review Ends: December 1, 2016
• Aug. 30, 2016  (San Pasqual) Lake Hodges Reservoir Hypolimnetic Oxygenation System (HOS) / Project No. 459570 / Draft MND – Public Review Ends: Sept. 29, 2016​
  • Biology Assessment
  • Cultural Resources Report
  • Hodges Reservoir Oxygen Study Report
  • Visual Impact Analysis – Conceptual Plans
  • Water Quality Study – Conceptual Planning Report
• July 28, 2016 (Torrey Highlands) Torrey Meadows Drive Bridge / Project No. 398888 / Recirculated Draft MND – Public Review Ends: Aug. 29, 2016
  • Air Quality and Greenhouse Gas Emissions Technical Report
  • Cultural Resources Survey Report
  • Geotechnical Design Report
  • Hazardous Waste Initial Site Assessment Phase I
  • Historic Property Survey Report
  • Natural Environment Study
  • Noise Study Report
  • Structural Foundation Report
  • Traffic Impact Analysis
  • Visual Impact Assessment Technical Memo
  • Water Quality Technical Report
• June 17, 2016 (University) University Community Plan Amendment / Project No. 480286 / Draft PEIR – Public Review Ends: Aug. 1, 2016
  • Appendix A: NOP Comment Letters
  • Appendix B: NOP Transcript
  • Appendix C: Transportation Impact Study
  • Appendix D: Air Quality Emissions Calculations
  • Appendix E: Wetlands Assessment Memo
• June 10, 2016 (Uptown) Uptown Community Plan Update / Project No. 380611 / Draft PEIR – Public Review Ends: Aug. 8, 2016
  • Appendix A:  NOP and Comment Letters
  • Appendix B-1: Traffic Impact Study
  • Appendix B-2: Traffic Update
  • Appendix B-3: Traffic Study for Lower Density Alternatives
  • Appendix C: Mobility Study
  • Appendix D: Air Quality Report
  • Appendix E: Greenhouse Gas Report
  • Appendix F: Noise Analysis
  • Appendices G1 and G2: Cultural Resources and Historic Survey
  • Appendix H: Biological Resources Report
  • Appendix I:  Geotechnical Report, Part 1
  • Appendix I:  Geotechnical Report, Part 2
  • Appendix I:  Geotechnical Report, Part 3
  • Appendix J:  Public Facilities Letters
  • Appendix K: Water Supply Assessment
  • Appendix L: Geotracker Results
• June 2, 2016 (Serra Mesa) Serra Mesa Community Plan Amendment Street Connection / Project No. 265605 / Draft EIR – Public Review Ends: July 5, 2016 
  • Appendix A: NOP-Scoping
  • Appendix B: Community Plan Amendment
  • Appendix C: Traffic Impact Study CORRECTED
  • Appendix D: Air Quality 
  • Appendix E: Noise Assessment
  • Appendix F: Biological Resources Letter
  • Appendix G: Geologic Reconnaissance
• May 31, 2016 (North Park and Golden Hill) North Park and Golden Hill Community Plan Updates / Project No. 380611 / Draft PEIR – Public Review Ends: July 28, 2016
  • Appendix A: NOP
  • Appendix B-1: Traffic Impact Study
  • Appendix B-2: Traffic Evaluation Memo
  • Appendix C:  Mobility Study
  • Appendix D:  Air Quality Report
  • Appendix E:  Greenhouse Gas Report
  • Appendix F:  Noise Analysis
  • Appendix G-1:  North Park Prehistoric Cultural Resources
  • Appendix G-2:  North Park Historic Resources Survey
  • Appendix H:  Biological Resources Report
  • Appendix I :  Geotechnical Report, Part 1
  • Appendix I :  Geotechnical Report, Part 2
  • Appendix I :  Geotechnical Report, Part 3
  • Appendix J :  Public Facilities Letters
  • Appendix K:  Water Supply Assessments
  • Appendix L:  Geotracker Results
  • Appendix M-1: Golden Hill Prehistoric Cultural Resources
  • Appendix M-2: Golden Hill Historic Resources Survey
• May 24, 2016 (San Ysidro) San Ysidro Community Plan Update and San Ysidro Historic Village Specific Plan / Project No. 310690 / Draft PEIR – Public Review Ends: July 8, 2016
  • Appendix A:  NOP and Public Comment
  • Appendix B:  Traffic Impact Study
  • Appendix C:  Air Quality Report
  • Appendix D : Greenhouse Gas Report
  • Appendix E : Noise Report
  • Appendix F:  Biological Resource Report
  • Appendix G:  Archaeology Report
  • Appendix H:  Historic Context Statement
  • Appendix H:  Historic Resources Survey Report
  • Appendix I:   Phase I Environmental Site Assessment
  • Appendix J:  Hydrology and Water Quality Report
  • Appendix K:  Water Supply Assessment
  • Appendix L:  Water Distribution Study
  • Appendix M: Sewer Study
  • Appendix N: Geotechnical Desktop Study
• May 11, 2016 Montgomery Field Localizer and Habitat Mitigation Plan / Project No. 212101 / DRAFT MND / Public Review ends: June 10, 2016
  • Biological Technical Report – November 2015
  • Habitat Mitigation Plan – November 2015
  • Vernal Pool Mitigation Plan – Grading Plans
• May 9, 2016 House of Pacific Relations – New International Cottages / Project No. 434746 / DRAFT MND Public Review ends: May 31, 2016
• April 28, 2016 Bonita Pump Station / Project No. 459550 / Draft MND Public Review ends: May 31, 2016
  • Ambient Noise Report
  • Biological Assessment
  • Bonita Tree Risk Assessment
  • Geotechnical Overview
  • Historical Survey Report
  • Traffic Impact Rep
  • Visual Impacts 3D Rendering
• April 14, 2016 (Torrey Highlands) Torrey Meadows Drive Bridge / Project No. 398888 / Draft MND – Public Review Ends: May 16, 2016
  • Air Quality and Greenhouse Gas Emissions Technical Report
  • Cultural Resources Survey Report
  • Hazardous Waste Initial Site Assessment Phase I
  • Historic Property Survey Report
  • Natural Environment Study
  • Traffic Impact Analysis
  • Visual Impact Assessment Technical Memo
  • Water Quality Technical Report
• March 23, 2016 (All Community Planning Areas) Recirculated DEIR Sections Single-Use Carryout Bag Reduction Ordinance / Project No. 412659 / Public Review Ends: May 9, 2016
• March 2, 2016 (Uptown) Hayes Avenue Storm Drain /Project No. 302218/Draft MND – Public Review Ends: April 1, 2016
  • Biological Resources Report (August 2015)
• Feb. 10, 2016  (All Community Planning Areas) Pure Water Program / Project No. 438188 / Draft EIR – Public Review Ends: April 11, 2016
  • Appendix A - Scoping Letter, NOP, and NOP Comments
  • Appendix B - Air Quality Technical Report
  • Appendix C - Biological Resources Report
  • Appendix D1 - Archaeological Constraints Study
  • Appendix D2 - Built Environment Constraints Study
  • Appendix E - Greenhouse Gas Emissions Analysis
  • Appendix F – Noise Report
• Jan. 15, 2016  (Southeastern San Diego/Barrio Logan) Chollas Creek Bike Pathway / Project No. 364784/ Draft MND - Public Review Ends: February 17, 2015
  • Biological Technical Report
  • Global Climate Change Evaluation
  • Draft Historical Report
  • Noise Study
  • Phase I Cultural
  • Phase II Cultural
• Dec. 17, 2015  2015 (Mission Bay Park and Pacific Beach Community Planning Areas) Sewer & Water Group Job No. 827 / Project No. 413110 / Draft AMND - Public Review Ends: Jan. 4, 2016
• Nov. 20, 2015 (All Community Planning Areas) City of San Diego Single-Use Carryout Bag Reduction Ordinance / Project No. 412659 / Draft EIR – Public Review Ends: Jan. 19, 2016
  • Ordinance
• Aug. 25, 2015 (All Community Planning Areas) Storm Water Standards Manual Update / Project No. 435930 / Draft MND – Public Review Ends: Sept. 24, 2015
• July 31, 2015 (All Community Planning Areas) Climate Action Plan / Project No. 416603 / Draft EIR – Public Review Ends: Sept. 29, 2015
  • Appendix A - Public Notice of Preparation
• July 9, 2015 (Southeastern San Diego/Encanto) Southeastern San Diego and Encanto Neighborhoods Community Plan Updates / Project No. 386029 / Draft EIR - Public Review Ends: Sept. 8, 2015
• For access to other Draft CEQA Documents use the link below:
  • California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) Notices & Documents
    Notices and reports to concerned citizens or interested person regarding decision of impact findings on the environment. Not all documents may be available for viewing online. Further, graphics, exhibits and attachments such as technical reports may not be available for viewing online.

Public Notice of the Preparation of a PEIR Report and a Scoping Meeting

• July 28, 2017 Mission Valley Community Plan Update / NOP / Project No. 518009
• July 12, 2017 (Citywide) Waterways Master Plan / NOP / Project No. 548593
• July 5, 2017 Balboa Avenue Station Area Specific Plan / NOP/ 518016
• May 9, 2017 Mission Bay Park Master Plan Update - Fiesta Island Amendment / NOP
• Oct. 7, 2016 Morena Corridor Specific Plan / NOP
• Aug. 4, 2016 (University, Mira Mesa, Scripps Miramar Ranch, Clairemont Mesa, Linda Vista, Kearny Mesa, Tierrasanta, Navajo) Pure Water San Diego Program, North City Project EIR/EIS / Project No. 499612 / NOP EIR & Distribution List Public Review ends: 30 days from the date of Notice
• Dec. 2, 2015 University Community Plan Amendment / NOP
• Nov. 4, 2015 San Ysidro Community Plan Update and El Pueblito Viejo Village Specific Plan / NOP / 310690
• Nov. 4, 2015 Midway-Pacific Highway and Old Town San Diego Community Plan Updates / NOP / 453425

Final CEQA Documents

• Aug. 24, 2017 (Old Town/Uptown/Southeastern San Diego) / FY2015 Underground Utility District Projects San Diego Avenue (UU598) and Cesar Chavez Parkway (UU27) / Project No. 419856 / Final MND
• Aug. 15, 2017 (Serra Mesa, Mission Valley) Serra Mesa Community Plan Amendment Roadway Connection Project / Project No. 265605 / Final EIR
  • Appendix A_NOP-Scoping Comments
  • Appendix B_Proposed Community Plan Amendment
  • Appendix C_Traffic Impact Study
  • Appendix_D_Air_Quality
  • Appendix E-1_Noise Assessment
  • Appendix E-2_Supplemental Noise Analysis-Calcs
  • Appendix F_Biological Resources
  • Appendix G_Geologic Reconnaissance
  • Appendix H_VMT Output and Summary
• Dec. 16, 2016  (San Pasqual) Lake Hodges Reservoir Hypolimnetic Oxygenation System (HOS) / Project No. 459570 / Final MND
  • Biology Assessment
  • Cultural Resources Report
  • Hodges Reservoir Oxygen Study Report
  • Visual Impact Analysis - Conceptual Plan
  • Water Quality Study - Conceptual Planning Report
• Nov. 28, 2016 Undergrounding Utility District Project 854 Residential Block 2BB / Project No. 511042 / Final MND
• Oct. 20, 2016  Hayes Ave Storm Drain / Project No. 302218 / Final MND
  • Revised Biological Resources Report - August 2016
• Oct.10, 2016  (University) University Community Plan Amendment / Project No. 480286 / Final PEIR
  • Appendix A: NOP Comment Letters
  • Appendix B: NOP Transcript
  • Appendix C: Transportation Impact Study
  • Appendix D: Air Quality Emissions Calculations
  • Appendix E: Wetlands Assessment Memo
• Sept. 16, 2016  Torrey Meadows Drive Bridge / Project No. 398888 / Final MND
  • Air Quality and Greenhouse Gas Emissions Technical Report
  • Cultural Resources Survey Report
  • Geotechnical Design Report
  • Hazardous Waste Initial Site Assessment Phase I
  • Historic Property Survey Report
  • Natural Environment Study
  • Noise Study Report
  • Structural Foundation Report
  • Traffic Impact Analysis
  • Visual Impact Assessment Technical Memo
  • Water Quality Technical Report
• Sept. 15, 2016 Uptown Community Plan Update Final Program EIR
  • Appendix A:  NOP and Comment Letters
  • Appendix B - Traffic Impact Study
  • Appendix B-2: Traffic Update
  • Appendix B3 - Traffic Study for Density Distribution Alternative
  • Appendix C: Mobility Study
  • Appendix D: Air Quality Report
  • Appendix E: Greenhouse Gas Report
  • Appendix F: Noise Analysis
  • Appendices G1 and G2: Cultural Resources and Historic Survey
  • Appendix H: Biological Resources Report
  • Appendix I:  Geotechnical Report, Part 1
  • Appendix I:  Geotechnical Report, Part 2
  • Appendix I:  Geotechnical Report, Part 3
  • Appendix J:  Public Facilities Letters
  • Appendix K: Water Supply Assessment
  • Appendix L: Geotracker Results
• Sept. 8, 2016  North Park and Golden Hill Community Plan Updates Final PEIR
  • North Park Errata - October 21, 2016
  • Appendix A - NOP and Comment Letters
  • Appendix B - Traffic Impact Study
  • Appendix C - Mobility Study
  • Appendix C - Mobility Study - Updated
  • Appendix D - Air Quality Report
  • Appendix E - Greenhouse Gas Report
  • Appendix F - Noise Analysis
  • Appendix G1 - North Park Prehistoric Cultural Resources
  • Appendix G2 - North Park Historic Resources Survey
  • Appendix H - Biological Resources Report
  • Appendix I - Geotechnical Report Part 1
  • Appendix I - Geotechnical Report Part 2
  • Appendix I - Geotechnical Report Part 3
  • Appendix J :  Public Facilities Letters
  • Appendix K:  Water Supply Assessments
  • Appendix L:  Geotracker Results
  • Appendix M-1: Golden Hill Prehistoric Cultural Resources
  • Appendix M-2: Golden Hill Historic Resources Survey
• Aug. 8, 2016 Pure Water Program / Project No. 438188 / Final PEIR
  • Appendix A - Scoping Letter, NOP, and NOP Comments
  • Appendix B - Air Quality Technical Report
  • Appendix C - Biological Resources Report
  • Appendix D1 - Archaeological Constraints Study
  • Appendix D2 - Built Environment Constraints Study
  • Appendix E - Greenhouse Gas Emissions Analysis
  • Appendix F – Noise Report
  • Draft Findings
• Aug. 8, 2016 San Ysidro Community Plan Update Final PEIR
  • Errata to the San Ysidro Community Plan Update Final Program EIR
  • Appendix A: Notice of Preparation and Public Comment
  • Appendix B: Traffic Impact Study
  • Appendix C: Air Quality Report
  • Appendix D: Greenhouse Gas Report
  • Appendix E: Noise Report
  • Appendix F: Biological Resources Report
  • Appendix G: Archaeological Report
  • Appendix H:  Historic Context Statement
  • Appendix H:  Historic Resources Survey Report
  • Appendix I: Phase I Environmental Site Assessment
  • Appendix J: Hydrology and Water Quality Report
  • Appendix K: Water Supply Assessment
  • Appendix L: Water Distribution Study
  • Appendix M: Sewer Study
  • Appendix N: Geotechnical Desktop Study
  • Draft Findings
  • Draft Statement of Overriding Considerations
• July 5, 2016 Bonita Pump Station / Project No. 459550 / Final MND
  • Ambient Noise Report
  • Biological Assessment
  • Bonita Tree Risk Assessment
  • Geotechnical Overview
  • Historical Survey Report
  • Traffic Impact Rep
  • Visual Impacts 3D Rendering
• June 30, 2016 City of San Diego Single-Use Carryout Bag Reduction Ordinance / Project No. 412659 / Final EIR
  • Draft Ordinance
  • Draft Findings, Statement of Overriding Considerations, and Mitigation Monitoring and Reporting Program
• June 23, 2016 Final Addendum to the Final Program Environmental Impact Report for the City of San Diego Climate Action Plan / Project No. 416603
• June 17, 2016 Montgomery Field Localizer and Habitat Mitigation Plan / Project No. 212101 / Final MND
  • Biological Technical Report – November 2015
  • Habitat Mitigation Plan – November 2015
  • Vernal Pool Mitigation Plan – Grading Plans
• June 10, 2016 House of Pacific Relations – New International Cottages / Project No. 434746 / Final MND
• Feb. 25, 2016  Chollas Creek to Bayshore Bikeway Multi-Use Path / Project No. 364784 / Final MND 
  • Air Quality Technical Report
  • Analysis of Vehicular Traffic Impacts 
  • Biological Technical Report
  • Draft Final Historic Resource Tech Report
  • Drainage Assessment
  • Geologic and Geotechnical Assessment 
  • Global Climate Change Evaluation
  • Noise Study
  • Phase I Cultural Resources Report
  • Phase II Cultural Resources Report
  • Water Quality Technical Report
• Feb. 17, 2016  Sewer and AC Water 827 / Project No. 413110 / FINAL ADDENDUM
• Jan. 12, 2016  Storm Water Standards Manual Update / Project No. 435930 / FINAL MND 
• Nov. 23, 2015 City of San Diego Climate Action Plan Final PEIR
  • Appendices
• Oct. 1, 2015 Southeastern San Diego and Encanto Neighborhoods Community Plan Updates Final PEIR
  • Appendix A - Notice of Preparation
  • Appendix B - Mobility Element Update & Traffic Impact Study - Final Report
  • Appendix B-1 - Mobility Element Update & Traffic Impact Study - Appendices
  • Appendix C - Air Quality Analysis
  • Appendix D - Greenhouse Gas Analysis
  • Appendix E - Noise Analysis
  • Appendix F - Prehistoric Cultural Resources
  • Appendix G - Biological Resources Report
  • Appendix H - Geotechnical Desktop Study
  • Appendix I - Hazardous Materials Technical Study
  • Appendix I-1 - Hazardous Materials Appendix
  • Appendix J - Drainage and Water Quality
  • Appendix K - Water Supply Assessment Reports
  • Draft Findings
  • Draft Statement of Overriding Considerations
• Aug. 10, 2015 FINAL Grantville Focused Plan Amendment Environmental Impact Report
  • Findings
  • Statement of Overriding Considerations
  • Notice of Preparation
  • Transportation Study
  • Air Quality and Greenhouse Gases
  • Noise Impact Study
  • Biological Resources
  • Hydrology Study
  • Water Quality
  • Historic Resources
  • Cultural Resources
  • Geology and Soils
  • Hazardous Materials
• Aug. 5, 2015 Black Mountain Ranch / Black Mountain Access Road Repair FMND
  • Biological Resources Assessment
  • Archaeology Report
• June 29, 2015 Carmel Mountain/Del Mar Mesa Trails Community Plan Amendments; Amendments to the North City, Del Mar Mesa and Pacific Highlands Ranch Local Coastal Programs (LCP); Public Access Easement Vacations and Adoption of the Natural Resources Management Plan FMND
  • Biological Resources Assessment
  • Cultural Resources Study

 

Notices of Right to Appeal Environmental Determinations

 

• California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) Notices of Rights to Appeal Environmental Determinations
  Notices of environmental determinations made by City staff (including the City Manager), the City Hearing Officer, and the City Planning Commission that may be appealed to the City Council in accordance with Section 112.0520 of the Municipal Code.

Helpful Links

• Governor’s Office of Planning and Research: http://opr.ca.gov/m_ceqa.php
• City of San Diego Municipal Code Chapter 12, Division 8:
  • http://docs.sandiego.gov/municode/MuniCodeChapter12/Ch12Art08Division01.pdf
  • http://docs.sandiego.gov/municode/MuniCodeChapter12/Ch12Art08Division02.pdf
  • http://docs.sandiego.gov/municode/MuniCodeChapter12/Ch12Art08Division03.pdf

Staff Contacts

• Myra Herrmann, Senior Planner, 619-446-5372, [email protected]
• Rebecca Malone, Senior Planner, 619-446-5371, [email protected]
• Sara Osborn, Senior Planner, 619-236-6368, [email protected]
• Kurt Steinert, Senior Planner, 619-235-5206, [email protected]