1. What is a notice of completion?
2. Where does the notice of completion need to be filed?
3. When does the notice of completion need to be filed?
4. Aside from the Office of Planning and Research, is there any other place I need to send a notice of completion?
5. What does the notice of completion need to include?
6. Can I use the cover form required by the State Clearinghouse as a notice of completion?
7. What happens if I forget to file the notice of completion?
8. Does the Lead Agency need to issue out notices when preparing a draft EIR?
9. How long is the public review period for a draft EIR?
10. Is there a form for the Notice of Completion that I can review?

1. What is a notice of completion?

A notice of completion is a document that briefly identifies a project and indicates that an EIR has been prepared.

Public Resources Code §21161

2. Where does the notice of completion need to be filed?

The notice of completion needs to be filed with the Office of Planning and Research.

Public Resources Code §21161

3. When does the notice of completion need to be filed?

The notice of completion needs to be filed as soon as the draft EIR is completed.

Guidelines §15085

4. Aside from the Office of Planning and Research, is there any other place I need to send a notice of completion?

Yes. If the legislator requests the notice of completion and the State Clearinghouse has received it, a copy of the notice of completion should be provided to any legislator in whose district the project has an environmental impact.

Public Resources Code §21162

5. What does the notice of completion need to include?

The Notice of Completion must include:

• A brief description of the project,
• The proposed location of the project,
• An address where copies of the draft EIR are available, and
• The period during which comments will be received on the draft EIR.

Guidelines §15085

6. Can I use the cover form required by the State Clearinghouse as a notice of completion?

Yes. Where the EIR will be reviewed through the state review process handled by the State Clearinghouse, the cover form required by the State Clearinghouse will serve as the notice of completion.

Guidelines §15085

7. What happens if I forget to file the notice of completion?

If you fail to file the notice of completion, it will not affect the validity of a project but may result in some delay.

Public Resources Code §21161

8. Does the Lead Agency need to issue out notices when preparing a draft EIR?

Yes. The Lead Agency must provide public notice of the availability of a draft EIR at the same time as it sends a Notice of Completion to Office of Planning and Research. Notice must also be given to all organizations and individuals who have previously requested such notice. Notice must be filed for posting with the County Clerk of the county in which the project is to be located. (Public Resources Code §21092.3) Notice will also be given by at least one of the following procedures:

• Publication at least one time by the public agency in a newspaper of general circulation in the area affected by the proposed project.
• Posting of notices by the public agency on and off the site in the area where the project is to be located.
• Direct mailing to the owners and occupants of property contiguous to the parcel or parcels on which the project is located. Owners of such property shall be identified as shown on the latest equalized assessment roll.

Guidelines §15087

9. How long is the public review period for a draft EIR?

The public review period for a draft EIR should be not be less than 30 days or no longer than 60 days except in unusual circumstances.

Guidelines §15105

10. Is there a form for the Notice of Completion that I can review?

Yes. A Notice of Completion form is available in the appendices.

Guidelines Appendix C