Who does it affect?

A public agency must comply with CEQA when it undertakes an activity defined by CEQA as a "project." A project is an activity that may cause either a direct physical change in the environment or a reasonably foreseeable indirect change in the environment, and is undertaken by a public agency, or a private activity which must receive some discretionary approval from a public agency (meaning that the agency has the authority to deny the requested permit or approval or impose conditions on approval).

Most proposals for physical development in California are subject to the provisions of CEQA, as are many governmental decisions that do not immediately result in physical development (such as adoption of a general or community plan). Every development project that requires a discretionary governmental approval will require at least some environmental review pursuant to CEQA, unless an exemption applies.

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1. What is CEQA?
2. Where did CEQA come from?
3. When does CEQA apply?
4. Who does it affect?
5. How is it implemented?
6. Does my project qualify for an Exemption?
7. What are Exceptions from Exemptions?