CEQA Pathway Checklist Find your review pathway in under 5 minutes
Answer plain-language questions and get the right California Environmental Quality Act review pathway, process timeline, and cost estimate — updated through AB 130, SB 79, SB 131, and AB 507 (2025).
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Public & private projectsDifferent rules — we walk you through both
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Two-pathway comparisonRecommended vs. conservative, side by side
California Public Resources Code §§ 21000–21189 and 14 CCR §§ 15000–15387, as published in the 2026 CEQA Statute & Guidelines by the Association of Environmental Professionals (AEP). This tool does not constitute legal advice.
●CDFW fee 2026: Updated to $3,717.25 for EIR/MND projects
●Appendix G 2020: Energy and Wildfire added as new resource categories; checklist updated throughout
●Ministerial projects: Clarified as "CEQA does not apply" (PRC §21080(b)) — distinct from statutory exemptions
Who it's for
City planners, county staff, environmental consultants, developers, and anyone navigating California's environmental review process.
What it does
Walks you through 8 plain-language questions and identifies the appropriate CEQA review pathway with cost estimates and process timelines.
Its limits
This tool provides a starting point, not a legal determination. Always verify with a qualified CEQA practitioner and the applicable lead agency.
Step 1 of 8 — Applicant type
Who is the project applicant?
CEQA works differently depending on who's asking for approval.
💡 This affects statutory time limits, fees, and who bears CEQA costs. Public agencies lead their own CEQA; private applicants pay for CEQA but the agency leads it.
Key differences
Public agency • Prepares CEQA in-house or by contract • 1-year EIR / 180-day ND statutory limit • EIR contract must execute within 45 days of NOP • CDFW fee generally waived for public projects • Must budget CEQA costs (§21106)
Private applicant • Agency leads CEQA, applicant pays (§21089) • Must submit complete application to start clock • CDFW fee 2026: $3,717.25 • May contract for EIR prep if agency agrees • Time limits run from complete-application date
Step 2 of 8 — Project type
What are you building or improving?
💡 Think about the main purpose — what it will be used for once it's done. Two new 2025 project types appear below.
Step 3 of 8 — Project size
How big is the project?
💡 Use the larger of the new building area OR the demolished/removed structure. CEQA measures the whole action — if you are demolishing a 20,000 sq ft building to build a 4,000 sq ft replacement, the project scale is driven by the 20,000 sq ft demolition and the total site disturbance area. For infrastructure, use length and number of sites.
Step 4 of 8 — Site conditions
What does the project site look like right now?
💡 Urban sites already paved or built on often qualify for streamlined review under §15332 (Infill) or §15183.3 (Infill Streamlining).
Step 5 of 8 — Government approvals
What kind of government approval does this project need?
💡 "Ministerial" = must approve if code is met. "Discretionary" = agency can weigh pros/cons and could say no.
Step 6 of 9 — Project characteristics
Does your project involve any of the following?
Check everything that applies. Even one can change the level of review required. Based on CEQA Appendix G (2020 revision).
💡 If you think something might apply, check it. The 2025 Koi Nation ruling confirmed that even an MND can be invalidated for inadequate tribal consultation.
Select all that apply — or "None of these" at the bottom
Construction activities
Site and surroundings
Not sure if your site is contaminated? Check these official databases:
The Cortese List (Gov. Code §65962.5) is the official California list of hazardous sites that CEQA requires agencies to consult. If your site appears on any of these lists, check the hazmat box above.
Energy, wildfire & geology
Community and historic resources
Step 7 of 9 — Land ownership
Who owns the land the project will use?
Land acquisition can significantly affect CEQA scope, timeline, and cost — especially for public agency projects.
💡 If any land must be acquired through eminent domain or voluntary purchase, additional CEQA analysis is typically required — including relocation impacts and displacement effects (§15064(h)). For linear projects like roads or pipelines, partial acquisitions are common and still require analysis.
Step 7 of 8 — Prior environmental review
Has this project area already gone through CEQA review?
Prior CEQA work can significantly speed up your review.
💡 Even an MND or Initial Study from several years ago may allow faster review — especially if conditions haven't changed significantly.
Step 9 of 9 — Risk & timeline
How important is speed versus legal protection?
💡 Thorough review takes longer but is much harder to challenge. The 2025 Koi Nation ruling is a reminder: even MNDs face invalidation if consultation requirements aren't met rigorously.
CEQA Navigator 2026 — Generated:
Your CEQA Determination
2026 CEQA Statutes & Guidelines — AEP Edition
Conservative option
Click to see the more conservative pathway
Higher legal protection — longer timeline and cost
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Important Disclaimer
This tool provides general guidance only and does not replace review by a qualified CEQA professional, lead agency, or legal counsel. CEQA analysis is highly project-specific and fact-dependent. Results generated by this tool are a starting point for discussion — not a legal determination, final agency decision, or substitute for a certified environmental document. Always consult a licensed environmental professional and the applicable lead agency before making project decisions. Statutory citations reflect the 2026 AEP Edition (PRC §§ 21000–21189; 14 CCR §§ 15000–15387) as amended through January 1, 2026.
⚠️ Agency review time disclaimer: Timelines shown reflect statutory minimum review periods only. Actual processing time — including staff review, document preparation, public notice, and approval hearing scheduling — varies significantly by jurisdiction and workload. Many agencies carry multi-month backlogs. Contact the lead agency early to understand current review timelines. Time limits shown do not include agency review time for submitted files and applications.
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