Environmental Planning

Environmental Planning manages the environmental review process for projects proposed in Marin County. We use state, Federal, and local laws to guide County staff and permit seekers. We coordinate the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) review process and the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) review process. 

The California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) is a State law enacted in 1970. It requires public agencies to consider potential environmental effects of proposed projects. CEQA informs the public and decision-makers about these potential effects. CEQA is designed to avoid or mitigate significant damage to the environment when possible.

For projects in Marin County that are exempt from CEQA, you can find recently filed Notices of Exemption on the County Clerk website. 

The National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) is a federal law enacted in 1970. It requires all projects with federal funding to go through an environmental review separate from any state review. NEPA is designed to avoid or mitigate significant damage to the environment for these types of projects when possible.

The County is responsible for NEPA compliance for local projects funded by federal grants from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) on behalf of HUD. More information about our NEPA responsibilities is available in the Code of Federal Regulations. We also ensure compliance with Section 106, a provision of NEPA that applies to historic sites such as Golden Gate Village in Marin City.