California Real Estate SalespersonProperty Ownership and Land Use ControlsHard
A homeowner remodels and slightly expands an existing single-family kitchen without significantly increasing the building's footprint. Under CEQA, this project would most likely be treated as:
- ASubject to mandatory public referendum
- BCategorically exempt from CEQA review
- CSubject to a full Environmental Impact Report
- DApprovable only after a negative declaration is filed
Show answer & explanationAnswer & explanation
Correct answer: B. Categorically exempt from CEQA review
CEQA provides categorical exemptions for classes of projects that the state has determined do not have a significant effect on the environment, including minor alterations to existing private structures like small residential additions. Such projects do not require an EIR or negative declaration.
Why the other options are wrong
- A. CEQA does not involve public referendums for project approval.
- C. An EIR is required only for projects that may have a significant environmental effect, which minor remodels typically do not have.
- D. A negative declaration is used for projects with potential effects that are mitigated; exempt projects skip this step entirely.
CEQA Categorical Exemption
A class of projects identified by CEQA guidelines as having no significant effect on the environment, and therefore exempt from further environmental review.
- Includes minor alterations to existing structures (Class 1)
- No EIR or negative declaration required
- Exemption doesn't apply if unusual circumstances create potential impact
Memory trick: Small remodel, no big deal — categorically exempt.