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II. Definitions

CEQA Statute and Guidelines (2025 consolidated text) · 2026 edition · updated 2026-10-05 · California

The following definitions apply to the terms used in this Appendix.

“High-quality transit corridor” means an existing corridor with fixed route bus service with service intervals no longer than 15 minutes during peak commute hours. For the purposes of this Appendix, an “existing stop along a high-quality transit corridor” may include a planned and funded stop that is included in an adopted regional transportation improvement program. Unless more specifically defined by an air district, city or county, “high-volume roadway” means freeways, highways, urban roads with 100,000 vehicles per day, or rural roads with 50,000 vehicles per day.

“Low vehicle travel area” means a traffic analysis zone that exhibits a below average existing level of travel as determined using a regional travel demand model. For residential projects, travel refers to either home-based or household vehicle miles traveled per capita. For commercial and retail projects, travel refers to non-work attraction trip length; however, where such data are not available, commercial projects reference either home-based or household vehicle miles traveled per capita. For office projects, travel refers to commute attraction vehicle miles traveled per employee; however, where such data are not available, office projects reference either homebased or household vehicle miles traveled per capita.

“Major Transit Stop” means a site containing an existing rail transit station, a ferry terminal served by either a bus or rail transit service, or the intersection of two or more major bus routes with frequencies of service intervals of 15 minutes or less during the morning and afternoon peak commute periods. For the purposes of this Appendix, an “existing major transit stop” may include a planned and funded stop that is included in an adopted regional transportation improvement program.

“Office building” generally refers to centers for governmental or professional services; however, the lead agency shall have discretion in determining whether a project is “commercial” or “office building” for the purposes of this Appendix based on local zoning codes.

“Significant sources of air pollution” include airports, marine ports, rail yards and distribution centers that receive more than 100 heavy-duty truck visits per day, as well as stationary sources that are designated major by the Clean Air Act.

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Association of Environmental Professionals 2025

CEQA Guidelines Appendices

A “Traffic Analysis Zone” is an analytical unit used by a travel demand model to estimate vehicle travel within a region.

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