Environmental Review

It is the intent of the City of Piedmont to comply with the provisions of the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA), which is a statute. Most demolition and/or construction projects in Piedmont are either modifications to existing buildings and sites, or are a new single-family dwelling and are therefore categorically exempt from the provisions of CEQA. However, upon occasion, the scope of a project will not qualify for a statutory or categorical exemption from the CEQA provisions. 

Housing Element Implementation EIR

On January 12, 2024, the City of Piedmont published the Housing Element Implementation Final Environmental Impact Report (FEIR). On November 3, 2023, the City of Piedmont published the Housing Element Implementation Draft Environmental Impact Report (DEIR). Links to the EIR which consists of both the FEIR and the DEIR, are provided below:

-Final Housing Element Implementation Environmental Impact Report (FEIR)

-Draft Housing Element Implementation Environmental Impact Report (DEIR)
Appendix A, NOP and NOP Responses
Appendix B, Special Status Species in the Vicinity of Piedmont
Appendix C, Historical Resources Evaluation - Piedmont Corporation Yard
Appendix D, Energy Calculations
Appendix E, GHG Emissions Modeling Results
Appendix F, Noise Modeling Results and Vibration Calculations
Appendix G, Congestion Management Analysis
Appendix H, Assembly Bill 52 Correspondence 
Appendix I, Emergency Evacuation Time Assessment


Development Applications in General

In order to make a determination as to whether or not a project is exempt from CEQA, City staff may request that the project applicant complete and submit an Environmental Information Form (PDF). If a project is not exempt from the provisions of CEQA, the preparation of an Initial Study will be required, the cost of which is the responsibility of the project applicant. The project applicant is also responsible for covering the cost for the preparation of a Negative Declaration or an Environmental Impact Report (EIR), and any fees charged by agencies involved in the preparation of these documents, such as the California Department of Fish and Wildlife. 

Please contact a member of Planning Division staff at (510) 420-3050 for any assistance needed in completing the Environmental Information Form, or for questions regarding the CEQA requirements and the associated documents. Information on CEQA and the CEQA Guidelines is also provided by the California Natural Resources Agency