A Summary of the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA)

(California Public Resources Code, Sections 21000 – 21178, and Title 14 CCR, Section 753, and Chapter 3, Sections 15000 – 15387)

The California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) is California’s broadest environmental law.  CEQA helps to guide the Department during issuance of permits and approval of projects. Courts have interpreted CEQA to afford the fullest protection of the environment within the reasonable scope of the statutes. CEQA applies to all discretionary projects proposed to be conducted or approved by a California public agency, including private projects requiring discretionary government approval.

The purpose of CEQA is to:

  • Disclose to the public the significant environmental effects of a proposed discretionary project, through the preparation of an Initial Study (IS), Negative Declaration (ND), or Environmental Impact Report (EIR).
  • Prevent or minimize damage to the environment through development of project alternatives, mitigation measures, and mitigation monitoring.
  • Disclose to the public the agency decision making process utilized to approve discretionary projects through findings and statements of overriding consideration.
  • Enhance public participation in the environmental review process through scoping meetings, public notice, public review, hearings, and the judicial process. 
  • Improve interagency coordination through early consultations, scoping meetings, notices of preparation, and State Clearinghouse review. 

For more information, please visit CEQA Procedures for Internal CDFW Actions

Section 21092.3 of the Public Resources Code is amended to read:

The notices required pursuant to Sections 21080.4 and 21092 for an environmental impact report shall be posted in the office and on the internet website of the county clerk of each county in which the project will be located and shall remain posted for a period of 30 days. The notice required pursuant to Section 21092 for a negative declaration shall be so posted for a period of 20 days, unless otherwise required by law to be posted for 30 days. The county clerk shall post the notices within 24 hours of receipt.

CEQA Filing

Filing can be done in person or by mail.

Bring the following items with you or send it in the mail:

San Mateo County Clerk - Recorder
555 County Center, 1st Floor
Redwood City, CA 94063

  • Original Document (Notice of Determination/ Notice of Exemption) with wet signature
  • 4 additional copies of the NOD/NOE Document
  • Filing Fee (if previously paid, please provide previously issued Dept. of Fish and Wildlife Environmental Document filing fee receipt and copy of previously filed document)

California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) Online Postings

Please click the project title to access the document.

CITY OF REDWO

Date
Filed
Fish/Game
Receipt #
Lead Agency Type of
Document
Project Title
09/26/2025 41-09262025-0001 CITY OF HALF MOON BAY, PUBLIC WORK DEPARTMENT NOTICE OF DETERMINATION SMITH FIELD PARK IMPROVEMENTS PROJECT
09/26/2025 41-09262025-0002 CITY OF SOUTH SAN FRANCISCO NOTICE OF DETERMINATION INFINITE 131 PROJECT
09/26/2025 41-09262025-0003 TOWN OF HILLSBOROUGH NOTICE OF EXEMPTION MACADAMIA ACCESS ROAD REPAIRS PROJECTS
09/29/2025 41-09292025-0001 COASTSIDE COUNTY WATER DISTRICT NOTICE OF EXEMPTION EMERGENCY CULVERT REPLACEMENT PROJECT
09/30/2025 41-09302025-001 CITY OF BURLINGAME, PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT - ENGINEERING DIVISION NOTICE OF EXEMPTION OCCIDENTAL AVENUE TRAFFIC CALMING IMPROVEMENTS, CITY PROJECT NO 86650
10/01/2025 41-10012025-0001 CITY OF EAST PALO ALTO NOTICE OF EXEMPTION FOUR CORNERS TOWN HOME PROJECT INCLUSIONARY HOUSING ALTERNATIVE COMPLIANCE
10/01/2025 41-10012025-0002 CITY OF EAST PALO ALTO NOTICE OF EXEMPTION FOUR CORNERS MIXED USE INCLUSIONARY HOUSING ALTERNATIVE COMPLIANCE
10/02/2025 41-10022025-0001 CITY OF EAST PALO ALTO NOTICE OF EXEMPTION EAST BAYSHORE ROAD PEDESTRIAN AND CYCLIST SAFETY PROJECT
10/03/2025 41-10032025-0003 CITY OF EAST PALO ALTO  NOTICE OF DETERMINATION PARKLINE MASTER PLAN PROJECT
10/06/2025 41-10062025-0001 CITY OF REDWOOD CITY  NOTICE OF EXEMPTION 2025 CALIFORNIA BUILDING AND FIRE STANDARDS CODES
10/06/2025 41-10062025-0002

BAY AREA AIR QUALITY MANAGEMENT DISTRICT

NOTICE OF EXEMPTION

AMENDMENTS TO WOODSMOKE RULES REGARDING 6, RULE 3: WOOD-BURNING DEVICES AND REGULATION 5: OPEN BURNING

10/07/2025 41-10072025-0001 COUNTY OF SAN MATEO PARKS DEPARTMENT NOTICE OF EXEMPTION INSTALLATION OF TWO PREFABRICATED SHADE SHELTERS NEAR THE PUMP TRACK
10/09/2025

41-10092025-0001

CITY OF MENLO PARK NOTICE OF DETERMINATION PARKLINE MASTER PLAN PROJECT
10/09/2025 41-10092025-0002 CITY OF SAN MATEO PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT NOTICE OF EXEMPTION 1814 RANDALL ROAD STORM DRAIN AND SIDEWALK REPAIR PROJECT
10/15/2025 41-10152025-0001

TOWN OF COLMA – PLANNING DEPARTMENT

NOTICE OF EXEMPTION

PARKING VARIANCE – 2 COLMA BOULEVARD HOME DEPOT

10/15/2025 41-10152025-0002

CITY OF SOUTH SAN FRANCISCO – PLANNING DIVISION

NOTICE OF EXEMPTION

P25-0039: DR25-0006

10/15/2025 41-10152025-0003 CITY OF SOUTH SAN FRANCISCO – PLANNING DIVISION NOTICE OF EXEMPTION

P25-0040: DR25-0007

10/15/2025 41-10152025-0004 CITY OF SOUTH SAN FRANCISCO – PLANNING DIVISION NOTICE OF EXEMPTION

P25-0071: DR25-0017

10/15/2025 41-10152025-0005 CITY OF SOUTH SAN FRANCISCO – PLANNING DIVISION NOTICE OF EXEMPTION

P25-0045: DR25-00029

10/15/2025 41-10152025-0006 CITY OF SOUTH SAN FRANCISCO – PLANNING DIVISION NOTICE OF EXEMPTION

P25-0028: DR25-0009

10/15/2025 41-10152025-0007

SAN MATEO UNION HIGH SCHOOL DISTRICT

NOTICE OF EXEMPTION

SAN MATEO UNION HIGH SCHOOL DISTRICT DISTRICT-WIDE SOLAR SYSTEM REPAIRS

10/16/2025 41-10162025-0001

SAN FRANCISCO BAY AREA RAPID TRANSIT DISTRICT (BART)

NOTICE OF EXEMPTION

BART SAN MATEO STATIONS REVITALIZATION

10/16/2025 41-10162025-0002

MIDPENINSULA REGIONAL OPEN SPACE DISTRICT

NOTICE OF EXEMPTION

ROCK OF AGES TRAIL AMENITIES INSTALLATION

10/16/2025 41-10162025-0003 CITY OF SAN CARLOS PLANNING DIVISION  NOTICE OF DETERMINATION 789 OLD COUNTY ROAD PROJECT
10/17/2025 41-10172025-0001 CITY OF SAN BRUNO PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT NOTICE OF EXEMPTION CRESTMOOR CANYON STORM REPAIR PROJECT
10/20/2025 41-10202025-0001 CITY OF REDWOOD CITY NOTICE OF EXEMPTION AFFORDABLE HOUSING INCENTIVE PROGRAM
10/20/2025 41-10202025-0002 CITY OF REDWOOD CITY NOTICE OF EXEMPTION GREEN INFRASTRUCTURE DEVELOPMENT STANDARDS
10/22/2025 41-10222025-0001

CITY OF SAN CARLOS

NOTICE OF EXEMPTION

TRILLIUM TRAIL CONNECTION

10/22/2025 41-10222025-0002

TOWN OF COLMA - PLANNING DEPARTMENT

NOTICE OF EXEMPTION

MAJOR DESIGN REVIEW - HONDA OF SERRAMONTE ACCESSORY STRUCTURE

10/22/2025 41-10222025-0003

SAN MATEO COUNTY TRANSIT DISTRICT (SAMTRANS)

NOTICE OF EXEMPTION

SAMTRANS NORTH BASE BAY TRAIL REALIGNMENT

10/22/2025 41-10222025-0004

TOWN OF COLMA - PLANNING DEPARTMENT

NOTICE OF EXEMPTION

MINOR SUBDIVISION - ETERNAL HOME PKWY & EL CAMINO REAL - PL2025-016

Other Notices

Please click the title to access the document.

Date
Posted
Agency Title
09/23/2025 NORTH SAN MATEO COUNTY SANITATION DISTRICT NOTICE OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS
09/25/2025 CITY OF SOUTH SAN FRANCISCO NOTICE OF AVAILABILITY OF PUBLIC REVEIW AND NOTICE OF INTENT TO ADOPT A MITIGATED NEGATIVE DECLARATION
09/25/2025 CITY OF SOUTH SAN FRANCISCO NOTICE OF AVAILABILITY OF PUBLIC REVEIW AND NOTICE OF INTENT TO ADOPT A MITIGATED NEGATIVE DECLARATION - UPDATED
09/30/2025 CITY OF FOSTER CITY NOTICE OF PLANNING COMMISSION PUBLIC HEARING
09/30/2025 CALIFORNIA HIGH-SPEED AUTHORITY CALIFORNIA HIGH-SPEED RAIL AUTHORITY, FINANCE AND AUDIT COMMITTEE MEETING AGENDA
09/30/2025 CALIFORNIA HIGH-SPEED AUTHORITY BOARD MEETING AGENDA
10/03/2025 CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF WATER RESOURCES  NOTICE OF PREPARATION FOR AN EIR FOR THE PETITION REQUESTING AN EXTENSION OF TIME TO MORE FULLY EXERCISE CONDITIONAL WATER RIGHTS FOR OPERATION OF THE STATE WATER PROJECT
10/06/2025 CITY OF MENLO PARK  COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT UPDATE
10/14/2025 COUNTY OF SAN MATEO PLANNING AND BUILDING DEPARTMENT NOTICE OF INTENT TO ADOPT MITIGATED NEGATIVE DECLARATION
10/15/2025 CITY OF SOUTH SAN FRANCISCO 

NOTICE OF AVAILABILITY AND NOTICE OF INTENT TO ADOPT A MITIGATED NEGATIVE DECLARATION FOR THE PROPOSED 52 FRANKLIN AVENUE PROJECT

10/15/2025 NORTH SAN MATEO COUNTY SANITATION DISTRICT SANITATION DISTRICT AGENDA
10/15/2025 DEPARTMENTS OF PARKS AND RECREATION  NOTICE OF AVAILABILITY DRAFT SUPPLEMENTAL EIR FOR THE REIMAGINING BIG BASIN REDWOODS STATE PARK FACILITIES MANAGEMENT PLAN AND GENERAL PLAN AMENDMENTS
10/16/2025 ASSOCIATION OF BAY AREA GOVERNMENTS 

NOTICE OF AVAILABILITY FOR THE PLAN BAY AREA 2050+ DRAFT ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT REPORT (SCH# 2025010348)

10/17/2025 CALIFORNIA HIGH-SPEED AUTHORITY SMALL BUSINESS PROGRAM UPCOMING EVENT
10/22/2025 CITY OF SOUTH SAN FRANCISCO

NOTICE OF AVAILABILITY OF PUBLIC REVIEW AND NOTICE OF INTENT TO ADOPT A MITIGATED NEGATIVE DECLERATION FOR THE PROPOSED 52 FRANKLIN AVENUE PROJECT

10/23/2025 NORTH SAN MATEO COUNTY SANITATION DISTRICT NOTICE OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS NORTH SAN MATEO COUNTY SANITATION DISTRICT
10/23/2025 CITY OF SAN CARLOS NOTICE OF INTENT TO ADOPT A MITIGATED NEGATIVE DECLARATION FOR THE 930 COMMERCIAL STREET PROJECT