The state legislature enacted the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) in 1970. CEQA established statewide regulations for the environmental review of discretionary projects as well as a process for mitigating or avoiding potential environmental impacts.
The purpose of CEQA is to:
- Disclose to the public the potentially significant environmental effects of a proposed project;
- Develop alternatives and mitigation measures to prevent or minimize environmental impacts;
- Identify additional opportunities for public participation and community input;
- Improve the findings to support the future approval of discretionary projects.
On June 28, 2017, the City Council adopted Resolution 15,040 approving an update to the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) Guidelines.
To help clarify and standardize decision-making in the environmental review process within the City of Oxnard, the City has established its own CEQA Guidelines. The CEQA Guidelines are offered as guidance to staff, consultants, and the development community in preparing all environmental review documents (including [mitigated] negative declarations and EIRs).
Additionally, the CEQA Guidelines are intended to implement and supplement provisions in the CEQA Guidelines for determining the significance of environmental effects and they form the basis of the City’s Initial Study and Environmental Review Checklist. The Environmental Review Checklist covers 18 environmental topics.
City of Oxnard CEQA Guidelines
Updated May 2017.
9.53 MB PDF | Updated 10/10/23
Environmental Process Review Flowchart
74.4 KB PDF | Updated 10/10/23
State of California CEQA Guidelines
Updated 2023.
678.78 KB JPG | Updated 05/09/24