Environmental Documents

CEQA Guidelines

• City of San Juan Capistrano 2025 CEQA Guidelines (PDF)

Environmental Document Filing Fees  

• California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) Environmental Document Filing Fees (effective January 1, 2026)

Currently Active Environmental Documents

• Legacy Ranch - Initial Study and Notice of Preparation - November 13, 2025 (PDF)

Filed Notice of Determinations (NOD)

• Plaza Banderas Hotel and Mixed-Use Project, Signage - Notice of Determination 2.20.26 (PDF)
• El Camino Specific Plan Amendment - Notice of Determination 1.22.26 (PDF)
• Addendum to EIR related to the Distrito la Novia/San Juan Meadows Project - Administrative Approval of Grading Plan Modification (GPM) 25-015 - Notice of Determination 12.10.25 (PDF)
• Second Reading and Adoption of the Ordinance Amending the El Camino Specific Plan - Notice of Determination 10.9.25 (PDF)
• El Camino Specific Plan Amendment - Notice of Determination 9.18.25 (PDF)
• Proposed Drainage Improvements and Restoration Activities at the Rancho Mission Viejo Riding Park - Notice of Determination 8.8.24 (PDF)
• Permanent Easement by the City from Petra and Avelina Community Association for Public Trail Purposes - Notice of Determination 6.27.24 (PDF)
• Distrito La Novia - San Juan Meadows Development Agreement (DA) 21-001 Extension - Notice of Determination 5 .15.24 (PDF)
•  San Juan Plaza - Housing Element Implementation – Rezone (RZ) 22-002 & Code Amendment (CA) 22-003 - Notice of Determination 4.25.23 (PDF)
• Industrial Residential Overlay and Costco Plaza Specific Plan - Rezone (RZ) 22-003 & Code Amendment (CA) 22-004 - Notice of Determination 4.25.23 (PDF)
• Oso Ranch Housing Element Implementation - Rezone (RZ) 22-004 - Notice of Determination 4.25.23 (PDF)
• Oso Ranch Housing Element Implementation - General Plan Amendment (GPA) 22-002 - Notice of Determination 4.11.23 (PDF)
• San Juan Plaza Housing Element Implementation - General Plan Amendment (GPA) 22-003 - Notice of Determination 4.11.23 (PDF)
• Residential Overlay and Costco Plaza Specific Plan - General Plan Amendment (GPA) 22-004 - Notice of Determination 4.11.23 (PDF)

Filed Notice of Exemptions (NOE) 

• Pacifica San Juan Toll Brothers Notice of Completion - Notice of Exemption 2.24.26 (PDF)
  
• Equestrian Easement Vacation - Notice of Exemption 2.23.26 (PDF)
  
• CHC Rescinding Approval of Resolution No. 25-12-03-01 for the French Hotel - Notice of Exemption 1.29.26 (PDF)
• PSA with ALL4, LLC for St. John Chrysostom American Coptic Orthodox Church Campus Environmental Studies and Analysis - Notice of Exemption 1.27.26 (PDF)
• PSA with Harris & Associates for French Hotel EIR - Notice Exemption 1.23.26 (PDF)
• Initiation of General Plan and Code Amendment for Distrito La Novia - Notice of Exemption 1.23.26 (PDF)
• General Plan Conformity Determination to Vacate a Portion of Old Mission Road - Notice of Exemption 12.15.25 (PDF)
• Old Mission Road Quitclaim Deed - Notice of Exemption 12.5.25 (PDF)
• Old Mission Road Vacation - Notice of Exemption 12.5.25 (PDF)
• French Hotel - Site Plan Review (SPR) 22-002 - Notice of Exemption 12.5.25 (PDF)
• Fairmont School Circulation & Parking Improvements - Administrative Approval (AA) 25-001 - Notice of Exemption 10.30.25 (PDF)
• Chipotle Mexican Grill - Architectural Control (AC) 24-007, Conditional Use Permit (CUP) 24-004, Discretionary Use Permit (DUP) 23-001, and Sign Program (SP) 24-042 - Notice of Exemption 10.28.25 (PDF)
• Retail Uses Permitted in Historic Commercial District - Code Amendment (CA) 25-003 - Notice of Exemption 10.27.25 (PDF)
• Alipaz Street Rehabilitation project (CIP 25101) - Notice of Exemption 9.22.25 (PDF)
• Los Rios Plaza Parking Management - Administrative Approval (AA) 25-006 - Notice of Exemption 9.10.25 (PDF)
• Swallows Creek Subdivision - Notice of Exemption 9.4.25 (PDF)
• Equestrian Easement Vacation - Notice of Exemption 9.3.25 (PDF)
• License Agreement between the City and Ecocenter, Inc. (The Ecology Center) for Farming Operations and Agricultural-Focused Programming - Notice of Exemption 8.7.25 (PDF)
• Storm Drain Easement Vacation - Notice of Exemption 7.29.25 (PDF)
• Ewing Residence - Building Permit (BP) 25-0318 - Notice of Exemption 7.25.25 (PDF)
• Costco Fuel Station Expansion - Administrative Approval (AA) 25-004 - Notice of Exemption 7.24.25 (PDF)
• The Cottage at River Street Ranch - Accessory Use Permit (AUP) 24-001, Site Plan Review (SPR) 24-002, and Administrative Approval (AA) 24-011 - Notice of Exemption 7.22.25 (PDF)
• Ground Lease for Operation of Rancho Mission Viejo Riding Park at San Juan Capistrano with Premier Equisport Events LLC - Notice of Exemption 7.18.25 (PDF)
• Second Amendment to License Agreement with Legacy Ranch Partners LLC for Operation of the City-owned Swanner House Property - Notice of Exemption 7.18.25 (PDF)
• Los Rios Theater Project - Conditional Use Permit (CUP) 24-003 - Notice of Exemption 6.26.25 (PDF)
• Ayres Residence - General Plan Modification (GPM) 24-014 & Zone Variance (ZV) 24-002 - Notice of Exemption 6.3.25 (PDF)
• Speed Cushion Installation - Notice of Exemption 4.21.25 (PDF)
• Arguello Way Beautification Project (CIP 23102) - Notice of Exemption 3.25.25 (PDF)
• Adoption of an Interim Ordinance Extending for a Second Time Urgency Ordinance No. 1116 Prohibiting New Commercial Battery Energy Storage Systems within the City of San Juan Capistrano - Notice of Exemption 3.20.25 (PDF)
• Approval for Agreement with R3 Consulting Group, Inc. - Notice of Exemption 3.11.25 (PDF)
• Approval for Agreement Amendment No. 1 with ECIS - Notice of Exemption 3.11.25 (PDF)
• St. Margaret's Episcopal School Expansion - General Plan Amendment (GPA) 24-001, Code Amendment (CA) 24-003, Conditional Use Permit (CUP) 24-002, and Development Agreement (DA) Amendment 24-001 - Notice of Exemption 3.7.25 (PDF)
• San Juan Plaza-Architectural Control (AC) 23-009, Grading Plan Modification (GPM) 24-022, Tree Removal Permit (TRP) 24-026 - Notice of Exemption 1.22.25 (PDF)
• Downtown Parking Management Strategies - Notice of Exemption 12.19.24 (PDF)
• Borsellino Residence - Zone Variance (ZV) 24-004 - Notice of Exemption 11.25.24 (PDF)
• Grant of Easements to Shadow Investments, LLC, a California Limited Liability company, and Spurgeon DTOC, LLC, a California Limited Liability Company (Collectively, "Grantee"), and its Successors and Assigns - Notice of Exemption 11.20.24 (PDF).
• San Juan Plaza - Architectural Control (AC) 23-009, Grading Plan Modification (GPM) 24-022, Tree Removal Permit (TRP) 24-026 - Notice of Exemption 11.19.24 (PDF).
• Westport Self Storage - General Plan Amendment (GPA) 24-004 and Code Amendment (CA) 24-006 - Notice of Exemption 11.14.24 (PDF)
• Purchase and Sale Agreement with Affordable Housing Land Consultants - Notice of Exemption 10.17.24 (PDF)
• Camino Twelve - Architectural Control (AC) 23-008, Grading Plan Modification (GPM) 23-020, Tree Removal Permit (TRP) 23-024, and Vesting Tentative Tract Map (TTM) 23-002 - Notice of Exemption 8.7.24 (PDF).
• Johnson & Titus Residence - Grading Plan Modification (GPM) 23-018 - Notice of Exemption 7.29.24 (PDF)
• Metz Residence - Grading Plan Modification (GPM) 24-009 - Notice of Exemption 7.29.24 (PDF)
• Urgency Ordinance No. 1119 - Notice of Exemption 5.8.24 (PDF)
• Honey Bee Apiaries - Allen Residence - Conditional Use Permit (CUP) 23-007- Notice of Exemption 4.29.24 (PDF)
• The Ecology Center - Kinoshita Specific Plan Amendment (SP) 85-01 - Notice of Exemption 4.22.24 (PDF)
• Los Rios Specific Plan Amendment - Code Amendment (CA) 23-002 - Notice of Exemption 4.22.24 (PDF)
• Heritage Barbeque Phase 2 Expansion - Architectural Control (AC) 23-002 and Grading Plan Modification (GPM) 23-009 - Notice of Exemption 4.15.24 (PDF)
• Swallows Creek - Architectural Control (AC) 23-006 & Grading Plan Modification (GPM) 23-019 - Notice of Exemption 1.12.24 (PDF)
• Traffic Signal at La Navia Ave and Calle Arroyo Project CIP 25105 - Notice of Exemption 11.9.23 (PDF)
• Mission Hacienda Inn - Conditional Use Permit (CUP) 23-005, Tree Removal Permit (TRP) 23-022 & Administrative Approval - Notice of Exemption 10.17.23 (PDF)
• Appeal Time Extension Avenida California Single-Family Residence - Grading Plan Modification (GPM) 19-023 - Notice of Exemption 9.25.23 (PDF)
• Appeal for Building Permit (BP) 23-0700 Avenida California Single-Family Residence - Notice of Appeal 9.25.23 (PDF)
• Time Extension Avenida California Single-Family Residence - Grade Plan Modification (GPM) 19-023 - Notice of Exemption 8.2.23 (PDF)
• Building Permit (BP) 23-0700 - Avenida California Single-Family Residence - Notice of Exemption 8.2.23 (PDF)
• Ground Lease for City-owned Rancho Mission Viejo Riding Park at SJC - Notice of Exemption 6.26.23 (PDF)
• Ortega Village Commercial Center - Tentative Parcel Map (TPM) 22-001 - Notice of Exemption 6.26.23 (PDF)
• Capistrano Valley Toyota - Architectural Control (AC) 22-012 & Sign Program (SP) 23-002- Notice of Exemption 6.26.23 (PDF)
• Alliance for San Juan Art Mural - Sign Permit (SP) 23-003 - Notice of Exemption 6.1.23 (PDF)
• General Plan Circulation Element - General Plan Amendment (GPA) 23-001 - Notice of Exemption 5.19.23 (PDF)
• Accessary Dwelling Units - Code Amendment (CA) 22-009 – Notice of Exemption 4.24.23 (PDF)
• New City Council Chamber at Community Center - Capital Improvement Project (CIP) 22302 - Notice of Exemption 3.10.23 (PDF).
• Local Streets Pavement Rehabilitation Capital Improvement Project (CIP) 24102 - Notice of Exemption 2.24.23 (PDF).
• Amending Mammoth Offices Planned CDP 90-02, Code Amendment (CA) 20-001 - Notice of Exemption 2.14.23 (PDF).
• Shady Maples - Administrative Approval (AA) 23-001 & Sign Program (SP) 22-026 - Notice of Exemption 2.14.23 (PDF).
• Beyer Residence - Zone Variance (ZV) 22-009 - Notice of Exemption 2.10.23 (PDF).
• Installation of Raised Pavement Markers on Portions of Camino Las Ramblas - Notice of Exemption 1.23.23 (PDF).
• Resolution to Vacate a Portion of Public Right-of-Way at 26874 Old Mission Road (formerly Ortega Hwy) - Notice of Exemption 1.23.23 (PDF)
• Third Amendment to Stone Field Lease with CUSD and License Agreement between City and CREER - Notice of Exemption 1.23.23 (PDF)
• Inn at the Mission Hotel - Architectural Control (AC) 22-014 - Notice of Exemption 1.10.23 (PDF).
• Sale of City Owned Property at 31776 El Camino Real & 26874 Old Mission Rd. (formerly Ortega Hwy) - Notice of Exemption 11.16.2022 (PDF).
• Sale of City Owned Property at 31681 Camino Capistrano - Notice of Exemption 11.16.2022 (PDF).
• Second Reading: El Camino Specific Plan - Code Amendment (CA) 22-002, Rezone (RZ) 22-001, and General Plan Amendment (GPA) 22-001 - Notice of Exemption 10.20.2022 (PDF).
• El Camino Specific Plan - Code Amendment (CA) 22-002, Rezone (RZ) 22-001, and General Plan Amendment (GPA) 22-001 - Notice of Exemption 10.7.2022 (PDF). 

Environment Impact Reports (EIR) - Approved Development Projects

• El Camino Specific Plan Final Environmental Impact Report (EIR) - August 2025 (PDF)
• Second Addendum to the Whispering Hills Estates Final Revised and Recirculated EIR– November 2023 (PDF)
• Historic Town Center Master Plan (HTCMP) Draft Environmental Impact Report, General Plan Amendment and Ordinance Change (PDF)
• Ganahl Lumber Draft Environmental Impact Report and Appendices (PDF)
• Tirador Residential Development Draft Environmental Impact Report and Appendices (PDF)
• River Street Marketplace Final Environmental Impact Report / Draft Environmental Impact Report and Appendices (PDF)
• Plaza Banderas Hotel Draft Environmental Impact Report and Appendices (PDF)
• Distrito La Novia - San Juan Meadows Draft Environmental Impact Report and Appendices (PDF)

Environmental Impact Reports (EIR)/Mitigated Negative Declarations (MND) - City CIP Projects

• San Juan Capistrano Skatepark and Trail Project Final Environmental Impact Report/Draft Environmental Impact Report and Appendices (PDF)
• San Juan Capistrano Skatepark Project - Notice of Intent (PDF) and Draft Initial Study/Mitigated Negative Declaration (PDF)
• Rancho Mission Viejo Riding Park Project - Final Initial Study/Mitigated Negative Declaration and Appendices (PDF).
• Del Obispo Street Widening, Capital Improvement Project (CIP) 16102 - Initial Study/Mitigated Negative Declaration and Appendices (PDF)
• Verdugo Street Beautification, Capital Improvement Project (CIP) 14106 - Initial Study/Mitigated Negative Declaration and Appendices (PDF)
• Northwest Open Space Community Park Project - Mitigated Negative Declaration (PDF). 

Mitigated Negative Declarations (MND) - Previously Approved Development Projects

• Proposed Drainage Improvements and Restoration Activities at the Rancho Mission Viejo Riding Park, San Juan Capistrano - Addendum to Previously adopted Final Initial Study/Mitigated Negative Declaration (PDF)
• The Farm Specific Plan Project - Tentative Tract Map (TTM) 19-002, Architectural Control (AC) 19-020, Grading Plan Modification (GPM) 19-020, Sign Permit (SP) 19-032, and Tree Removal Permit (TRP) 19-041 - Addendum to Initial Study/Mitigate Negative Declaration (PDF)
• Protea Memory Care Facility - General Plan Amendment (GPA) 17-002, Rezone (RZ) 17-001, Architectural Control (AC) 18-014, Grading Plan Modification (GPM) 18-002, Sign Permit (SP) 18-050, Conditional Use Permit (CUP), 18-005, Tree Removal Permit (TRP) 18-029, and Lot Line Adjustment (LLA) 18-002 - Initial Study/Mitigated Negative Declaration and Appendices (PDF). 
• The Farm Specific Plan Project - General Plan Amendment (GPA) 16-001 - Initial Study/Mitigated Negative Declaration and Appendices (PDF). 

Others

• 2022 General Plan Housing Element Update Addendum (GPA 21-003) (PDF)
• In-N-Out Burger - Traffic Impact Analysis Report & Appendices (PDF)
• San Juan Capistrano Skatepark and Trail Project - Notice of Preparation (PDF)