Environmental Review and Tribal Consultation
The City’s environmental review pro
cess 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 the implementation of CEQA to the City Planning Department, which 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.
Tribal consultation is a government-to-government requirement that ensures coordination with Tribal governments to protect Tribal Cultural Resources. In addition to formal consultation, the CEQA & Policy Review Section engages in ongoing outreach efforts as a best practice to honor and preserve the heritage of the Kumeyaay Nation.
Resources
- City of San Diego California Environmental Quality Act Significance Determination Thresholds (revised 2022)
- Environmental Guidance Memo: Climate Action Plan Consistency for Plan- and Policy-Level Environmental Documents and Public Infrastructure Projects (revised 2025)
CEQA Documents
- Notice of Preparation and Scoping Meeting - Notices of Preparation and Scoping Meeting for an environmental document are available for a 30-day public review comment period pursuant to CEQA.
- Draft Documents for Public Comment - Notices and reports regarding decision of impact findings on the environment.
- Final Documents - View final environmental documents prepared by the City of San Diego.
- Notices of Rights to Appeal Environmental Determinations (NORA) - 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.
Learn about Commenting on Environmental Impact Reports (EIRs)
CEQA Library for Citywide Projects
- Final Program Environmental Impact Report for the Blueprint SD Initiative, Hillcrest Focused Plan Amendment to the Uptown Community Plan, and University Community Plan and Local Coastal Program Update/ SCH No. 2021070359
- (2020) Complete Communities: Housing Solutions and Mobility Choices /SCH No. 2019060003)
- (2013) Barrio Logan Community Plan Update/ Project No. 240982/ Program Environmental Impact Report/SCH No. 2009091021
- Downtown Community Plans
- (2020) Kearny Mesa Community Plan Update/ Project No. 607857/ Final Program Environmental Impact Report/ SCH No. 2018111024
- (2018) Midway-Pacific Highway Community Plan Update Revised Final Program Environmental Impact Report/ Project No. 561546/ SCH No. 2015111013
- (2022) Mira Mesa Community Plan Update EIR/ SCH No. 2022090061
- (2019) Morena Corridor Specific Plan/ Project No. 582608/ Final Program Environmental Impact Report/ SCH No. 2016101021
- (2016) San Ysidro Community Plan Update/ Project No. 310690/ Final Program Environmental Impact Report/ SCH No. 2015111012
- (2015) Southeastern San Diego and Encanto Neighborhoods Community Plan Updates/ Project No. 386029/ Program Final Environmental Impact Report/ SCH No. 20144051075
Coming Soon
Coming soon
Helpful Links
- Governor’s Office of Planning and Research: https://opr.ca.gov/
- City of San Diego Municipal Code Chapter 12, Division 8:
Strategic Plan Priority Areas of Focus
This program focuses on the following priority areas of the Strategic Plan:
Protect & Enrich Every Neighborhood
Supports City initiatives that deliver critically needed actions and investments to our communities. Supports the identification and protection of tribal cultural resources and consideration of those resources as part of the land use planning process.
Supports the preservation and reuse, where feasible, of resources eligible for or listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
Advance Mobility & Infrastructure
Supports City initiatives that deliver infrastructure investments to our communities.
Champion Sustainability
Supports City initiatives that implement the Climate Action Plan and Climate Resilient SD and ensures all City
actions are consistent with the City’s climate policies and regulations.
Foster Regional Prosperity
Supports City initiatives that foster economic activity for the region.
CEQA Policy and Review
Planning Department
9485 Aero Drive, M.S. 413
San Diego, CA 92123
619-235-5200
planning@sandiego.gov