The purpose of these regulations is to adopt public agency implementing procedures pursuant to Section 15022 of the State CEQA Guidelines (14 California Code of Regulations Section 15022), in order to avoid and mitigate environmental impacts, as feasible, that could occur from approval and implementation of projects subject to the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA), and in order to preserve and enhance the environment of the County of Santa Cruz, by ensuring that County actions on projects subject to CEQA are undertaken consistent with the requirements and procedures of CEQA and the CEQA Guidelines promulgated by the State of California.
(Ord. 2117, 1975; Ord. 5309 § 1, 2019)
(A) 
"California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA)"
means the most current version of the California Public Resources Code Sections 21000 through 21189.3, as amended from time to time.
(B) 
"CEQA Guidelines"
means the most current version of the State CEQA Guidelines contained in the California Code of Regulations, Title 14, Division 6, Chapter 3, Sections 15000 through 15387, adopted by the Secretary for the Resources Agency pursuant to Section 21083 of CEQA, which provide guidelines for implementation of the California Environmental Quality Act.
(C) 
"Environmental Coordinator"
means the Planning Director of the County of Santa Cruz or designee.
(D) 
"Project subject to CEQA"
means an activity which may cause either a direct physical change in the environment, or a reasonably foreseeable indirect physical change in the environment, and which involves a discretionary action taken by the County of Santa Cruz, which may be any of the following:
(1) 
An activity directly undertaken by the County of Santa Cruz.
(2) 
An activity undertaken by a person which is financed, in whole or in part, through contracts, grants, subsidies, loans, or other forms of assistance from the County of Santa Cruz.
(3) 
A private or public activity that involves the discretionary approval and issuance by the County of Santa Cruz to a person of a lease, permit, license, certificate, or other discretionary entitlement.
(Ord. 2117, 1975; Ord. 5272 § 9, 2018; Ord. 5309 § 1, 2019)
Applicants for permits or other discretionary authorizations under the Santa Cruz County Code shall provide the information required by the County as determined by the Environmental Coordinator to be needed for compliance with CEQA.
(Ord. 2117, 1975; Ord. 5309 § 1, 2019)
Prior to taking action to approve a discretionary development permit, legislative matter or other project subject to CEQA, the approving body shall either determine the project to be exempt from CEQA, or make required findings and adopt a Negative Declaration, or make required findings and certify an Environmental Impact Report. Findings and actions taken shall comply with CEQA and the CEQA Guidelines.
(Ord. 2117, 1975; Ord. 5309 § 1, 2019)
Applicants for projects subject to environmental review pursuant to CEQA and the CEQA Guidelines shall pay the fees that are prescribed by resolution of the Board of Supervisors or otherwise compensate the County for the cost of preparing and processing documents required to be prepared by this chapter and CEQA in accordance with its provisions and the State CEQA Guidelines.
(Ord. 2117, 1975; Ord. 5309 § 1, 2019)