CEQA Streamlining
CEQA Streamlining Opportunities
The State now recognizes the potential for CEQA streamlining as a means of reducing a key regulatory barrier. There are a variety of avenues for projects to receive CEQA relief, including SB 375 (PRC 21155.1), SB 226 (PRC 21094.5), SB 35, Infill Housing (PRC 21159.24 and 21159.25), Specific Plan (GC 65457), Tiering (Guideline 15183), Class 32 (Guideline 15332), and Class 3 (Guideline 15303) exemptions. These opportunities and others are outlined in a 2018 CEQA Review of Housing Projects Technical Advisory released by the Governor’s Office of Planning and Research.
Webinar Recording: Speeding up bike/ped and transit project delivery
Overview of SB 288 and CEQA exemptions
At the September 22, 2021, Regional Planning Partnership, Michael Pimental (California Transit Association) and Gwen Litvak (Bay Area Council) shared an overview of the types of projects covered by SB 288 and how the CEQA exemption can be used to shave years off of project schedules.
SB 35 CEQA Streamlining
California Senate Bill 35 (SB 35) creates a new streamlined approval process for multifamily residential projects in cities and counties not meeting their Regional Housing Need Allocation (RHNA) goal. SB 35, which took effect January 1, 2018 requires local entities to streamline the approval of certain housing projects by providing a ministerial approval process (no CEQA), focused design review, and remove or lower parking requirements. This is a voluntary program that a project sponsor may elect to pursue, provided that certain eligibility criteria are met.