Definition of Use By Right (Government Code section 65583.2 (i))

By right means the jurisdiction shall not require:

• A conditional use permit.

• A planned unit development permit.

• Other discretionary, local-government review or approval that would constitute a “project” as defined in Section 21100 of the Public Resources Code (California Environmental Quality Act “CEQA”).

However, if the project requires a subdivision, it is subject to all laws, including CEQA.

This does not preclude a jurisdiction from imposing objective design review standards. However, the review and approval process must remain non discretionary and the design review must not constitute a “project” as defined in Section 21100 of the Public Resources Code. For example, a hearing officer (e.g., zoning administrator) or other hearing body (e.g., planning commission) can review the design merits of a project and call for a project proponent to make design-related modifications, but cannot exercise judgment to reject, deny, or modify the “residential use” itself. (See McCorkle Eastside Neighborhood Group v. City of St. Helena (2019) 31 Cal.App.5th 80.)

For reference, CEQA applies when a governmental agency can exercise judgment in deciding whether and how to carry out or approve a project. This makes the project “discretionary” (CEQA Guidelines, §15357.) Where the law requires a governmental agency to act on a project using fixed standards and the agency does not have authority to use its own judgment, the project is called “ministerial,” and CEQA does not apply. (CEQA Guidelines, §§ 15268(a), 15369.) End definition of by right.

Site Inventory Guidebook

Page 12

May 2020