15268. MINISTERIAL PROJECTS

• (a) Ministerial projects are exempt from the requirements of CEQA. The determination of what is “ministerial” can most appropriately be made by the particular public agency involved based upon its analysis of its own laws, and each public agency should make such determination either as a part of its implementing regulations or on a case-by-case basis.

• (b) In the absence of any discretionary provision contained in the local ordinance or other law establishing the requirements for the permit, license, or other entitlement for use, the following actions shall be presumed to be ministerial:

  • (1) Issuance of building permits.

  • (2) Issuance of business licenses.

  • (3) Approval of final subdivision maps.

  • (4) Approval of individual utility service connections and disconnections.

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CEQA Guidelines

• (c) Each public agency should, in its implementing regulations or ordinances, provide an identification or itemization of its projects and actions which are deemed ministerial under the applicable laws and ordinances.

• (d) Where a project involves an approval that contains elements of both a ministerial action and a discretionary action, the project will be deemed to be discretionary and will be subject to the requirements of CEQA.

Note: Authority cited: Section 21083, Public Resources Code; Reference: Section 21080 (b)(1) , Public Resources Code; Day v. City of Glendale , 51 Cal. App. 3d 817.