The California Environmental Quality Act (“CEQA”) requires a lead agency to evaluate the environmental effects of a project it proposes to carry out or approve. Depending on the potential environmental effects, this process may require preparation of an environmental impact report (“EIR”), negative declaration, or mitigated negative declaration. Existing law provides categorical and statutory exemptions from CEQA for certain projects, including projects consisting exclusively of a day care center that is not located in a residential area.
SB 299 expands the existing CEQA exemption for day care centers to include qualifying day care center projects located in residential areas. The exemption does not apply to a project located within 3,200 feet of a facility that actively extracts or refines oil or natural gas, or to a project located on natural and protected lands. Lead agencies determine whether a particular day care center project is exempt from CEQA.
SB 299 adds Section 21080.68 to the Public Resources Code.
