Appendix D: Time Periods for Review of Environmental Documents

Appendix D:

Time Periods for Review of Environmental Documents

Document or Action
Effect
Time Period
CEQA Statute & Guidelines

Review of application for completeness Lead Agency has 30 days to review an application for completeness. If no determination is made within this period, it will be deemed complete
30 days
15060
15101

Lead Agency acceptance of an application as complete Begins maximum one-year period to complete environmental review for certain projects
1 year
15060
PRC 21100.2,
21151.5

Initial Study Provides 30 days to determine whether an EIR or Neg Dec will be required
30 days
15102

Notice of Preparation Provides 30 days from reciept of NOP for agencies to respond to the lead agency
30 days
15103

Convening of Scope and Content meetings Requires a meeting requested by an agency or by the applicant to be convened within 30 days of the request
30 days
15104

Public Review When an environmental document is submitted to the Clearinghouse, the public review period shall be at least as long as the review set by the Clearinghouse
EIR: 30-60 days
ND: 20-30 days
15105

Review by state agencies Provides standard 45 days for EIRs and standard 30 days for NDs, through State Clearinghouse
EIR: 45 days
ND: 30 days
15105

Completion of Negative Declaration For a private project, the Neg Dec must be adopted within 180 days after the application is complete
180 days
15107
PRC 21100.2,
21151.5

Completion and certification of EIR For a private project, an EIR must be completed within one year -- May be extended once for up to 90 days
1 year
15108

Notice of Determination -- filing Provides that the notice shall be filed within 5 days
5 days
15075
15094

Notice of Determination -- challenges Filing starts a 30-day statute of limitations to court challenges to the approval of the project
30 days
15075
15094
15112

Suspension of time limits Unreasonable delay of document preparation caused by the applicant allows suspension of time periods in Guidelines, Sections 15107 and 15108
varies
15109

Projects with federal involvement Time limits may be waived or superseded by federal time requirements
15110

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*Document or Action*	*Effect*	*Time Period*	*CEQA Statute & Guidelines*
Review of application for completeness	Lead Agency has 30 days to review an application for completeness. If no determination is made within this period, it will be deemed complete	30 days	15060 15101
Lead Agency acceptance of an application as complete	Begins maximum one-year period to complete environmental review for certain projects	1 year	15060 PRC 21100.2, 21151.5
Initial Study	Provides 30 days to determine whether an EIR or Neg Dec will be required	30 days	15102
Notice of Preparation	Provides 30 days from reciept of NOP for agencies to respond to the lead agency	30 days	15103
Convening of Scope and Content meetings	Requires a meeting requested by an agency or by the applicant to be convened within 30 days of the request	30 days	15104
Public Review	When an environmental document is submitted to the Clearinghouse, the public review period shall be at least as long as the review set by the Clearinghouse	EIR: 30-60 days ND: 20-30 days	15105
Review by state agencies	Provides standard 45 days for EIRs and standard 30 days for NDs, through State Clearinghouse	EIR: 45 days ND: 30 days	15105
Completion of Negative Declaration	For a private project, the Neg Dec must be adopted within 180 days after the application is complete	180 days	15107 PRC 21100.2, 21151.5
Completion and certification of EIR	For a private project, an EIR must be completed within one year -- May be extended once for up to 90 days	1 year	15108
Notice of Determination -- filing	Provides that the notice shall be filed within 5 days	5 days	15075 15094
Notice of Determination -- challenges	Filing starts a 30-day statute of limitations to court challenges to the approval of the project	30 days	15075 15094 15112
Suspension of time limits	Unreasonable delay of document preparation caused by the applicant allows suspension of time periods in Guidelines, Sections 15107 and 15108	varies	15109
Projects with federal involvement	Time limits may be waived or superseded by federal time requirements		15110