The City of Orange Initial Study Checklist is a preliminary analysis template used by City staff and/or environmental consultants to evaluate the environmental effects of a project. It consists of a series of questions and is an important part of the environmental review process.

Please note: The City of Orange Initial Study Checklist was last updated in July 2020. The checklist is consistent with the State’s Initial Study Checklist (Appendix G of the State CEQA Guidelines) effective December 28, 2018. It differs from the State’s Checklist in that it contains additional checklist questions related to water quality (Hydrology section) and energy resources (Utilities section). The water quality questions were added in coordination with the County of Orange Drainage Area Management Plan (DAMP) and the City of Orange Local Implementation Plan (LIP).

CEQA documents are required to make a good faith effort to describe, calculate, or estimate GHG emissions resulting from developments. The City has issued a Local Guidance Memo to supplement the State’s Guidance and provide a local framework for analyzing GHG emissions in environmental documents for which the City of Orange is the CEQA lead agency. Additionally, the California Global Warming Solutions Act of 2006 (AB 32) is set for revision in 2022 to lay out a path to achieve carbon neutrality by the middle of the century.

• Local Guidance Memo for Greenhouse Gas Emissions Analysis (March 24, 2020)
• AB 32 Climate Change Scoping Plan

Environmental Planning Staff oversees Community Development Department compliance with regional environmental programs, such as:

• Natural Communities Conservation Planning (NCCP) Program
  • Visit NCCP Program website
• Clean Water Act
• Clean Air Act

We also review and comment on environmental documents for projects in surrounding areas that may impact the City of Orange to ensure environmental protection and safety for all our residents.