The Environmental Assessment Information Form (form code 00263A) is the questionnaire the Los Angeles County Department of Regional Planning (LA County Planning) uses to decide whether a proposed project needs an Initial Study under the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA). Applicants, owners and agents answer questions on the project site, its surroundings, hazards, resources, traffic and operations, then sign a certification. On this page you can fill out the form online on FillingPDF and download or print the completed PDF; the form is filed with the applicable Base Application through EPIC-LA, and the original PDF is published by LA County Planning.
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What is 00263A?
The Environmental Assessment Information Form is a questionnaire from the Los Angeles County Department of Regional Planning that assists the County in determining whether an Initial Study is required for a proposed project. It is nine pages long and carries the form code 00263A.
The form asks you to describe the project site and the surrounding area, then works through topic sections: geology, flood, fire, noise, water quality, air quality, greenhouse gases, biota, oak trees, cultural resources, agriculture and forestry, aesthetics, traffic and access, schools, energy conservation and hazardous materials. Questions 47 to 53 apply to non-residential projects, and the schools questions (41 to 43) apply to residential projects only.
The review it supports is preliminary. By signing the certification you acknowledge that, after further evaluation, additional information, reports, studies, applications or fees may be required, and planning staff may request technical studies on a project-by-project basis. A second signature block, the Archaeological Statement (Declaración Arqueológico), covers possible referral of a project to the Archeological Information Center and to Native American Tribe(s) for consultation.
The form is a supplement, not an application on its own. It is submitted with the applicable Base Application, and the checklist for each permit type tells you whether the form is required.
Who needs to file 00263A?
Owners, applicants and agents filing a Base Application with LA County Planning use this form when the checklist for their permit type (for example a Conditional Use Permit or a Plan Amendment) requires it. The form's own heading says to refer to the specific checklist to verify whether it applies, and the County's applications page lists it among the items for some applications, such as Community Standards District modifications.
Some projects may be eligible for an exemption under CEQA. The form tells you to consult planning staff to find out, rather than deciding on your own.
Within the form, some groups skip sections:
- Residential projects answer the SCHOOLS questions (41 to 43); the section is marked for residential projects only.
- Non-residential projects answer questions 47 to 53 (workforce, end products, waste, pressurized tanks, truck routes).
The certification and the Archaeological Statement are each signed by the owner, the applicant or an agent, who checks the matching box and prints a name.
When to file 00263A
Submit the form at the time you file the applicable Base Application, because the form is sent together with it through EPIC-LA. No separate due date is printed on it. The form advises applicants to consult planning staff before applying, at 213-974-6411 or [email protected]. An incomplete application will not be accepted, so gather the answers and attachments the questions call for before you file. After review, the County may ask for more information, reports, studies, applications or fees.
Documents you need
- The applicable Base Application for your permit type, filed through EPIC-LA together with this form; the checklist for the permit type says which one.
- Written responses from the water, sewer, fire and flood control agencies serving the project, only if you answer Yes to question 5 (agencies contacted about adequate service).
- Verification from school administration, only if you answer Yes to "Verified by school administration?" under question 43 (residential projects only).
- An inventory of all hazardous or toxic materials to be used and the method of disposal, only if you answer Yes to question 46.
- Technical studies or additional items that planning staff request on a project-by-project basis.
How to fill out 00263A
Enter applicant and subject property
At the top, enter the applicant's name and the subject property, using its address or its APN.
Describe the site and surrounding area
Questions 1 and 2 ask for the same seven items, a through g: existing land uses and structures, topography and slope, vegetation, wildlife, surface waters, cultural and historical resources, and other. Answer once for the project site and once for the surrounding area.
Answer questions 3 to 5
Check Yes or No on whether the project changes the pattern, scale or character of the area (question 3). List each adverse effect, then its mitigation measures (question 4), and say whether the water, sewer, fire and flood control agencies were contacted (question 5); attach their response if Yes.
Complete geology, flood and fire
Questions 6 to 10 cover geology and flood, and questions 11 and 12 cover fire. Check Yes, No or Unknown as offered and describe any Yes answer. For question 12, enter the distance in miles to the nearest fire station.
Describe noise and water quality
Questions 13 to 16 ask about existing and project noise, nearby sensitive receptors and soundproofing. Questions 17 to 20 ask about private wells, on-site wastewater disposal, wastewater volume and bodies of water the site drains into.
Answer air quality and greenhouse gases
Question 21 covers emissions and odors. Questions 22 and 23 ask about greenhouse gas emissions and conflicts with plans or regulations to reduce them; describe any Yes answer.
Complete biota and oak trees
Questions 24 to 27 ask about the Significant Ecological Area, Coastal Zone, habitat and sensitive species. For question 28, enter the total number of protected oak trees to be encroached and to be removed, then answer question 29.
Answer cultural, agriculture and aesthetics
Questions 30 and 31 cover paleontological, archeological and historic resources. Question 32 covers agricultural zoning, and questions 33 to 36 cover scenic views, character, shadow, light and glare.
Estimate traffic and access
For question 37, check the trip range per day from 0 – 50 up to 500 +. Explain parking, circulation and safety effects (question 38), pedestrian effects (question 39) and conflicts with transit or bicycle facilities (question 40).
Complete schools, energy and hazardous materials
Questions 41 to 43 are for residential projects only: school district, estimated school children and capacity. Question 44 covers energy sources and conservation, and questions 45 and 46 cover hazardous materials history and use.
Answer non-residential questions
For non-residential projects, complete questions 47 to 53: workforce shifts, hours and employee counts, end products, waste products and disposal, pressurized tanks, delivery truck routes and other conditions.
Sign the certification and statement
Sign and date the Owner / Applicant / Agent Application Certification, check Owner, Applicant or Agent and print your name. Sign the Archaeological Statement in blue ink, with the date, the same box and the printed name.
Review and download the completed PDF
Check that every answer is complete and that required attachments are ready. Download or print the completed PDF from FillingPDF and file it through EPIC-LA as described under How to submit.
How to submit 00263A
The form is submitted online through EPIC-LA, together with the applicable Base Application.
- EPIC-LA: go to https://epicla.lacounty.gov and submit the completed form and any applicable documents with the Base Application named in the checklist for your permit type. Incomplete applications will not be accepted.
- Guidance: the form points to "File an Application" at planning.lacounty.gov/how-do-i/file-an-application. You can also call LA County Planning at 213-974-6411 or write to [email protected] before applying.
- Fees: an initial environmental fee is assessed automatically for projects subject to CEQA, and additional environmental filing fees may apply after the application is reviewed. Payments are accepted through EPIC-LA. Ask LA County Planning for the current amounts.
Whether or not an application is approved or denied, the form's certification warns that fees paid may be only partly refunded or not refunded at all. FillingPDF lets you fill out and download the PDF; submission follows the channels above.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Submitting the form without the applicable Base Application; the form says to submit it with the Base Application named in the checklist.
- Filing an incomplete form or application; LA County Planning states that incomplete applications will not be accepted.
- Answering Yes to question 5 without attaching the responses from the water, sewer, fire and flood control agencies.
- Answering Yes to the verification line under question 43 without attaching the school administration's verification.
- Answering Yes to question 46 without an inventory of the hazardous or toxic materials and the method of disposal.
- Signing the Archaeological Statement in a color other than blue ink; the signature line is marked BLUE INK.
- Leaving the Owner, Applicant or Agent box unchecked next to either signature.
- Filling in the schools section for a non-residential project, or skipping questions 47 to 53 for one; the sections are tied to project type.
- Assuming a fee paid is fully refundable; the certification says there may be a partial or no refund.
Frequently asked questions
What is the Environmental Assessment Information Form?
It is a questionnaire from the Los Angeles County Department of Regional Planning that helps the County decide whether a proposed project requires an Initial Study. It covers the site, surroundings, hazards, resources, traffic and, for some projects, operations.
Do I need to file the Environmental Assessment Information Form?
Only if the checklist for your permit type requires it. The form says to check the specific checklist, such as the one for a CUP or Plan Amendment. Planning staff can also tell you whether the project may be exempt under CEQA.
Is this the form from the Los Angeles County Assessor?
No. This form is issued by the Los Angeles County Department of Regional Planning for environmental review of development projects, not by the Los Angeles County Assessor. It is filed with a Base Application through EPIC-LA.
Where do I submit the Environmental Assessment Information Form?
Submit it through EPIC-LA at https://epicla.lacounty.gov, together with the applicable Base Application named in your permit checklist. Incomplete applications are not accepted. For questions before applying, call 213-974-6411 or email [email protected].
Is there a fee for the environmental review?
Yes. An initial environmental fee is assessed automatically for projects subject to CEQA, and more environmental filing fees may apply after review. Fees are paid through EPIC-LA. Contact LA County Planning for the current amounts.
Who signs the form, and why must one signature be in blue ink?
The owner, applicant or agent signs, checking the matching box and printing a name. The Archaeological Statement signature line is marked BLUE INK. By signing it you agree to timely pay any separate review fees billed by Cal-State University or the Tribe(s).
Which questions can I skip?
Questions 41 to 43 (schools) are marked for residential projects only, and questions 47 to 53 are under the heading for non-residential projects. All other questions apply to every project, and the form offers an Unknown option on many of them.
Can I fill out the Environmental Assessment Information Form online?
Yes. You can fill out the PDF online on FillingPDF and download or print it. FillingPDF is an independent service and does not file the form with LA County Planning; you submit it through EPIC-LA.
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