Environmental Review

The Environmental Planning section of the Community Development Agency implements project environmental review for County agencies and Departments pursuant to state and federal law, and local regulations. We are primarily responsible for managing the environmental review process and providing guidance to County staff regarding compliance with the law and policies that the State legislature and courts have established for protecting and enhancing the environment.

Resources and Documents

• California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) - A state law enacted in 1970, conceived primarily as a means to require public agency decision makers to document and consider the environmental implications of their actions.
• State CEQA Guidelines - Provides a roadmap for the implementation of CEQA.
• Marin County Environmental Impact Review Guidelines - Local regulations, adopted by the Marin County Board of Supervisors in 1994, that supplement State procedures and provide a guide for County Agencies and Departments in carrying out their responsibilities under CEQA.

Recently filed Notice of Exemptions and Notice of Determinations can be reviewed on the Marin County Clerk website: https://www.marincounty.org/depts/ar/divisions/county-clerk/ceqa-information

The California Office of Planning and Research also offers access to all Notice of Determinations and other CEQA documents filed throughout the state on their website: https://ceqanet.opr.ca.gov/