For your convenience, this alphabetical index cites available OPR publications. Click on the appropriate letter of the alphabet to browse listings. Publications that are available for immediate download contain direct links to the document. Click on the link and the file will open. Downloaded documents are most often delivered in a .pdf format which may be viewed with Acrobat Reader downloadable directly from Adobe Systems.

Specific Planning and Clearinghouse publications listed below with price information may also be ordered by mail. For ordering information, click here.

A | B | C | D | E | F | G | H | I | J | K | L | M | N | O | P | Q | R | S | T | U | V | W | X | Y | Z

A

Addressing Naturally Occurring Asbestos in CEQA Documents

This advisory memorandum provides guidance to Lead Agencies to analyze the impacts of naturally occurring asbestos (NOA) on the environment through the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) review process.

Announcements from the State Clearinghouse

Review the latest announcements from the Clearinghouse, including news about CEQA updates, Circulation and Notices, and Publications.

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B

Book of Lists (see California Planners' under C) 

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C

California Planners' 2010 Book of Lists
Download PDF version (1.23M)
Not available in print

Contains the results from OPR's 2009 local government annual planning survey. Includes a table summarizing the status of local general plans, directories of California's city and county planning agencies, Councils of Government, Local Agency Formation Commissions, state and federal agencies, and more.

Note: The 2009 | 2008 | 2007 | 2006 | 2005 | 2004 | 2003 | 2001 | 2000 | 1999 | 1998 | 1997 | 1996 editions of the California Planner's Book of Lists are available online.

California Planning Guide: An Introduction to Planning in California
(December 2005, 21 pages)
Download PDF version (600K)

A layperson's introduction to the mysterious world of planning. The general plan, zoning, land subdivision, and the California Environmental Quality Act are among the topics discussed. It also contains a glossary of common planning terms and suggests additional readings in the field.

California's Workforce Development System:  How to Prepare the System for Sustainable Development to Meet the Needs of California's Evolving Economy, 2003

This White Paper is designed to support the Governor who is required by state law to prepare a comprehensive State Environmental Goals and Policy Report (EGPR). Three planning priorities shape the EGPR's theme, which can be generalized as the "3-E's" of economy, environment, and equity. California's workforce development system profoundly impacts the 3-E's and, accordingly, should be reflected in the EGPR. This White Paper is intended to provide the necessary research and background information to facilitate the development of a workforce development element in the EGPR.

CEQA and Low Impact Development Storm Water Design

This technical advisory is one in a series of advisories provided by the Governor’s Office of Planning and Research (OPR) as a service to land use officials, professional planners and CEQA practitioners. OPR provides technical guidance from time to time on issues that broadly affect the practice of CEQA and land use planning.

CEQA: The California Environmental Quality Act - Statutes and Guidelines, 2007
(July 2007, available on the Internet only)

The California Environmental Quality Act, Public Resources Code section 21000 et seq., and the CEQA Guidelines promulgated by the Secretary of Resources, including amendments as of 2007.

CEQA Guidelines: Appellate Court Invalidates Six Sections in CBE v. Resources Agency Case, 2002

The Third District Court of Appeal's October 2002 decision in Communities for a Better Environment, et al. v. California Resources Agency, invalidated six sections of the CEQA Guidelines and upheld six others that were the subject of the appeal. (126 Cal.Rptr. 2d. 441, Cal.App.3 Distr., 2002) This memo summarizes the court's holding with respect to each of the affected sections.

CEQA Initial Study Checklist

An online version of the CEQA Initial Study Checklist can be found at the Association of Environmental Professionals (AEP) website. It may be downloaded in either Word or WordPerfect formats.

CEQA Notices of Completion, Exemption, Determination and Preparation (see Notices, under N)

Clearinghouse Newsletter (see Newsletter, under N)

Circulation and Notice Under the California Environmental Quality Act
(July 2001, 13 pages $3.00)
Download PDF version (401K)

This publication outlines the required and suggested notice, consultation and review periods promulgated by CEQA and the CEQA Guidelines.

Community and Military Compatibility Planning
December 2009, 48 pages
Download PDF version

The Conditional Use Permit
(August 1997, 8 pages, $3.00)

A detailed discussion of the legal requirements for conditional use permits, intended to instruct planning staff.

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D

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E

Element Consolidation: Streamlining Local General Plans
(Revised July 1998, 20 pages, $3.00)
Download PDF version (133K)

This advisory memo supplements the General Plan Guidelines. It provides additional information on general plan formats that consolidate two or more of the seven statutory elements.

Environmental Justice in California State Government
(October 2003, 81 pages)
Download PDF version (2.25 MB). Not available in print.

This report provides a brief history of environmental justice in California policy and statutes; a review of the efforts by the Office of Planning and Research to coordinate the activities of other state agencies on environmental justice policy; and a summary of the findings, goals, and policies of other state agencies and departments.

Environmental Justice Survey Results

Read or download OPR's survey of regional and local governments, agencies, boards and commissions' adoption of Environmental Justice policies and programs across California.

Environmental Justice: A Review of State Responses - 2001

In an effort to provide guidance to the California Environmental Justice Workgroup in implementing SB 115, this report from UC Hastings provides a brief overview of the federal environmental justice framework and a more comprehensive look at state environmental justice programs.

Environmental Goals and Policy Report (EGPR), 2003
(November 10, 2003, 177 pages)
Download PDF version (Not available in print)

The 2003 Draft Environmental Goals and Policy Report provides an overview of state growth and development and articulates state goals and policies related to land use, population growth and distribution, development, conservation of natural resources, transportation, and air and water quality. This 2003 Draft EGPR was completed by the Governor's Office of Planning and Research (OPR) as directed by Governor Gray Davis. It was transmitted by OPR to the State Legislature on November 10, 2003 but was never finalized or formally approved, as required by Government Code section 65046.

Environmental Justice Legislation

View or download California legislation that directly affects Environmental Justice:

Assembly Bill 970 (Alarcon) (PDF format)

Assembly Bill 1390 (Firebaugh) (PDF format)

Assembly Bill 1553 (Keeley) (PDF format)

Senate Bill 89

Senate Bill 115

Senate Bill 828 (Alarcon) (PDF format)

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F

Filing of Notices of Determination with the State Clearinghouse

The State CEQA Guidelines identify the specific circumstances under which Lead Agencies must submit their draft Environmental Impact Reports (EIRs), proposed Negative Declarations (NDs), and Notices of Determination (NODs) to the State Clearinghouse.

Fire Hazard Planning
(November 2003, 48 pages)
Download PDF version (182K)

This advisory is meant to assist city and county planners in cooperation with fire mitigation, preparedness and response professionals, and Fire Safe Councils, develop sound policies for fire hazard mitigation that can be incorporated into city and county general plans and corresponding planning documents.

Focusing on Master EIRs
(Revised November 1997, 18 pages, $3.00)

An overview of the Master EIR and its relatives, with advice on how to implement this statute. It outlines the process of preparing and utilizing a Master EIR while highlighting the statutory nuances for the CEQA practitioner.

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G

General Plan Guidelines
(October 2003, 290 pages)
Download PDF version (1.8MB)

This is a guide for local planners in preparing general plans and also for other local government officials and community members who may have less familiarity with planning theory, practice and land use law. This advisory guide is the state's only official document interpreting and explaining California's legal requirements for general plans. The newly revised Guidelines present a foundation upon which planning agencies can prepare their general plans to meet state legal requirements.

General Plan Annual Progress Report Guidance 2007

Cities and counties must submit an annual report on the status of the General Plan and progress in its implementation to their legislative bodies, the Governor’s Office of Planning and Research, and the Department of Housing and Community Development, (Government Code Section 65400(b)(1)). This guidance document outlines what types of information may be included in that report.

Growth Within Bounds
Download PDF version (6.3MB)
Not available in print

This is the final report of the Commission on Local Governance for the 21st Century, issued in January 2000, containing the Commission's recommendations on reform of the state laws that govern city, county, and special district boundary changes. The Commission was created by statute in 1997 and its report resulted in the passage of AB 2838 (Chapter 761, Statutes of 2000), the Cortese-Knox-Hertzberg Local Government Reorganization Act of 2000, the most significant reform to local government reorganization since the creation of Local Agency Formation Commission

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H

How to File an Notice of Determination (NOD) and Notice of Exemption (NOE)

The California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) requires lead agencies to file a Notice of Determination (NOD) upon approval of a project for which an Environmental Impact Report (EIR) or Negative Declaration has been prepared. In addition, CEQA describes procedures for filing of a Notice of Exemption (NOE) upon approval of a project that is exempt from CEQA review.

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L

LAFCO Incorporation Guidelines
(A Guide to the LAFCO Process for Incorporations)
Download PDF version (561 KB)
Not available in print

This is volume 1 of the first edition of OPR's advisory guidelines for use by Local Agency Formation Commissions in the development of a local process for incorporation of new cities, as required by the Cortese-Knox-Hertzberg Local Government Reorganization Act of 2000. The guidelines provide a step-by-step process for LAFCOs and citizens to follow, based on legal requirements and "best practices". Please see volume 2 (below) for appendices.

LAFCO Incorporation Guidelines - Appendices
(A Guide to the LAFCO Process for Incorporations)
Download PDF version (761 KB)
Not available in print

This is volume 2 of the first edition of OPR's advisory guidelines for use by Local Agency Formation Commissions in the development of a local process for incorporation of new cities, as required by the Cortese-Knox-Hertzberg Local Government Reorganization Act of 2000. The appendices contain background information, sample forms and notices, and a Primer with basic information on the incorporation process for use by citizens and LAFCO staff.

LAFCO Municipal Service Review Guidelines
Download PDF version (860 KB)
Not available in print

This is volume 1 of the first edition of OPR's advisory guidelines for use by Local Agency Formation Commissions in conducting municipal service reviews, as required by the Cortese-Knox-Hertzberg Local Government Reorganization Act of 2000 (Chapter 761, Statutes of 2000). The guidelines provide advice on the process and substance of the municipal service review. Please see volume 2 (below) for appendices.

LAFCO Municipal Service Review Guidelines - Appendices
Download PDF version (804 KB)
Not available in print

This is volume 2 of the first edition of OPR's advisory guidelines for use by Local Agency Formation Commissions in conducting municipal service reviews. These appendices provide background information and numerous templates, forms and examples to assist LAFCOs as they develop local processes for municipal service reviews.

Location Maps Required for State Agencies' Review

CEQA Guidelines require the submittal of a suitable map along with the Notice of Preparation for an EIR under Section 15082 (a) (1) (b), and in the Draft EIR itself, under Section 15124 (a).

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M

Mitigated Negative Declarations
December 2004, 32 pages
Download PDF version

This publication discusses the requirements for preparing a Mitigated Negative Declaration and its necessary contents according to CEQA. The most recent legislative changes and court decisions are included to illustrate the circumstances under which a Mitigated Negative Declaration may be properly used.

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N

New Legislative Requirements for Notices of Preparation (AB 1807)

Effective January 1, 2001, two new requirements were added to the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) as a result of the passage of Assembly Bill 1807. Any public agency acting as a "lead agency" under CEQA must provide a copy of all Notices of Preparation (NOPs) to the Governor's Office of Planning and Research (OPR).

New Requirements for Document Submittal to the SCH (AB 3041), January 2003

This advisory memorandum provides clarification to Lead Agencies regarding the requirements of AB 3041 for submitting CEQA environmental documents to the State Clearinghouse for state level review.

Newsletter

This bimonthly newsletter provides a listing of all the environmental documents, federal notices, and federal grant applications that have been submitted to the SCH in the past two-week period.

Notice of Completion(NOC)

Lead agencies are required to notify OPR as soon as a Draft EIR is complete. If state review is required, the NOC must accompany the required 15 copies of the EIR submitted to OPR. CEQA Guidelines, Section 15085 discusses the requirement.

Notice of Determination (NOD) and Notice of Exemption (NOE), How to File

The California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) requires lead agencies to file a Notice of Determination (NOD) upon approval of a project for which an Environmental Impact Report (EIR) or Negative Declaration has been prepared. In addition, CEQA describes procedures for filing of a Notice of Exemption (NOE) upon approval of a project that is exempt from CEQA review.

Notice of Determination (NOD)

Lead and responsible agencies are required to notify OPR and/or the county clerk when they make a determination to approve a project subject to CEQA. CEQA Guidelines, Sections 15075 and 15094 outline the content requirements.

Notice of Exemption(NOE)

CEQA exempts from environmental review certain classes of projects specified in the CEQA statute or Guidelines. This notice informs OPR and/or the county clerk that the lead agency has determined that a project is exempt from CEQA review. CEQA Guidelines, Section 15062 discusses the content requirements.

Notice of Preparation(NOP)

This notice informs the public of the intent of the lead agency to prepare an EIR. CEQA Guidelines, Section 15082 discusses the required contents.

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O

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P

The Planner's Guide to Specific Plans
(January 2001, 46 pages)
Download PDF version (1MB)

This is a guide to the use and function of specific plans in California. It examines the pertinent statutes, suggests guidelines for the preparation and implementation of a plan, and provides examples and references to unique or innovative plans prepared throughout the state. It also discusses pertinent case law, specific plan fees, and the relationships of specific plans to other planning documents such as general plans and zoning ordinances.

The Planning Commissioner's Book
(Revised May 1998, 22 pages, $3.00)

This publication is both a training tool for new planning commissioners as well as a handy general reference on planning. It includes brief overviews of the role of the planning commissioner, the job of the planning commissioner, and state planning law requirements.

Planning, Zoning, and Development Laws, 2010

Download PDF version

A compilation of California statutes pertaining to city and county planning and zoning activities. Also includes the Subdivision Map Act, the Outdoor Advertising Act, and the Delta Protection Act.

Public Notice and Land Use Planning
(April 1998, 20 pages, $3.00)

An overniew of the statutory requirements for public notice, circulation, and review as required under the California Environmental Quality Act; the Ralph M. Brown Act; each of the acts comprising the State Planning and Zoning Laws; and other related statutes. It also discusses pertinent case law, Attorney General opinions, and provides useful references to other informative publications and Internet sites.

Putting Action Into the Open Space Element: Techniques for Preserving Open Space and Farmland
(Revised November 1997, 12 pages, $3.00)

According to state law, every local open space plan must have an "action program." An action program identifies specific techniques which a local government intends to pursue in implementing its open space element. This brief publication outlines a variety of possible action program measures. Many have been insufficiently publicized, but most have been used in California. The booklet does not describe zoning or agricultural preserves due to the availability of publications regarding these most commonly used programs.

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Q

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S

Sample Summary Fillable Form
January 2010

15 copies of this document may be included when a Lead Agency is submitting electronic copies of environmental impact reports, negative declarations, mitigated negative declarations, or notices of preparation to the SCH. The SCH will still accept other summaries, such as an EIR summary prepared pursuant to CEQA Guidelines Section 15123, attached to the electronic copies of the document.

Submitting CEQA Documents to the State Clearinghouse
November 2005, 4 pages

This technical advisory offers information about the procedural requirements of the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA). Included is a brief summary of the circumstances under which CEQA documents must be submitted to the State Clearinghouse as well as information on identifying and working with Responsible and Trustee Agencies.

Shortened Review Request Form

Public Resources Code Section 21091 allows for shortened review periods under certain circumstances. Additional information on the shortened review process and requirements is provided in the State Clearinghouse Handbook. A form, Shortened Review Request, is available at this site to ensure that the requesting agency provides all the information necessary for the State Clearinghouse to make a determination. However, use of this specific form is not a requirement of CEQA.

State Clearinghouse Handbook
(Revised March 2009, 41 pages, $6.00)
Download PDF version (487K)

A technical guide for lead and responsible agencies, project proponents, and the public on clearinghouse procedures for reviewing environmental documents.

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T

Tribal Consultation Guidelines
A Supplement to the OPR General Plan Guidelines - November 14, 2005, 46 pages
Download PDF version (388 KB) 

These are state guidelines to assist cities and counties in fulfilling their obligations under state planning law to consult with California Native American Indian tribes before adopting or amending the local general plan and specific plans. The consultation requirements, and the requirement for OPR to prepare these guidelines, are a result of the passage of Senate Bill 18 (Chapter 905, Statutes of 2004).

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U

An Urban Strategy for California
(February 1978, 42 pages)
Download PDF version (10MB)

The Urban Strategy was adopted by Governor Edmund G. (Jerry) Brown as the State's environmental goals and policy report. It directed state government actions toward revitalization of existing cities, the sound management of new urban development, and the protection of the state's natural environment. The environmental goals and policy report is required by statute to articulate the state's policies on growth, development, and environmental quality and to serve as the basis for preparation of state functional plans (Government Code Sections 65041 through 65049).

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V

The Variance
(August 1997, 8 pages, $3.00)

A detailed discussion of the legal requirements for variances, intended to instruct planning staff.

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W

California's Workforce Development System:  How to Prepare the System for Sustainable Development to Meet the Needs of California's Evolving Economy

This White Paper is designed to support the Governor who is required by state law to prepare a comprehensive State Environmental Goals and Policy Report (EGPR). Three planning priorities shape the EGPR's theme, which can be generalized as the "3-E's" of economy, environment, and equity. California's workforce development system profoundly impacts the 3-E's and, accordingly, should be reflected in the EGPR. This White Paper is intended to provide the necessary research and background information to facilitate the development of a workforce development element in the EGPR.

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X

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