California Environmental Quality Act: environmental impacts: building height

Qualifying projects cannot treat effects caused by added height alone as significant environmental impacts under CEQA. The rule applies only where the project’s use and density have already been analyzed in a certified environmental impact report and other site safeguards are met.

What the law does ​

• Excludes height-alone effects—including air circulation, noise, light reflection or refraction, shadows, and attracting wildlife—from being deemed significant CEQA impacts for qualifying projects.
• Limits the exclusion to previously graded infill sites with no sensitive biological resources physically present.
• Excludes industrial projects and requires consistency with local airport land use plans.

Who it affects ​

• Developers and property owners proposing taller qualifying infill projects.
• Local lead agencies conducting CEQA review.
• Nearby residents and businesses affected by proposed infill development.