CEQA Streamlining Opportunities

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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.

SB 375 CEQA Streamlining

CEQA Streamlining for Land Use Projects Consistent with the SCS

SB 375 provides several CEQA reform provisions. These include streamlined review and analysis of residential or mixed-use projects consistent with the SCS; modified review and analysis, through an expedited Sustainable Communities Environmental Assessment (SCEA), for Transit Priority Projects (TPPs) that are consistent with the SCS; and a complete CEQA exemption for TPPs that are consistent with the SCS and meet a specific list of other requirements. In each of these cases, this MTP/SCS EIR will serve as a first-tier environmental document under CEQA.

For more information, see the SACOG SB 375 CEQA Streamlining page.

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.

Step-by-step guide of SB 35 in the SACOG region

CEQA Streamlining Worksheets

The lead agency is responsible for making the final determination on these matters and determining the applicable and appropriate CEQA streamlining, if any. The worksheets below provide a framework for helping lead agencies to make a determination. For letter requests from SACOG, please fill out and provide the applicable worksheet as a part of the request.

Transit Priority Project and Residential or Mixed-use Residential Project Determination Worksheet Worksheet
The purpose of this worksheet is to assist lead agencies to determine if a proposed project qualifies as a Transit Priority Project or a residential or mixed-use residential project (per SB 375).

Determination of MTP/SCS Consistency Worksheet for 2020 MTP/SCS
The purpose of this worksheet is to provide lead agencies with guidance to determine whether a project is consistent with the general land use designation, density, intensity, and applicable policies of the 2020 MTP/SCS adopted by SACOG.

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