Building, Planning, Encroachment, and Grading Permit Fees
Summary
SCH Number
2026080806
Public Agency
City of Laguna Woods
Document Title
Building, Planning, Encroachment, and Grading Permit Fees
Document Type
NOE - Notice of Exemption
Received
Posted
8/21/2026
Document Description
On August 19, 2026, the Laguna Woods City Council adopted Resolution No. 26-32 titled:
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF LAGUNA WOODS, CALIFORNIA, ADOPTING NEW AND INCREASED OR MODIFIED BUILDING AND PLANNING SERVICES FEES, AND ENCROACHMENT AND GRADING PERMIT FEES; AND DETERMINING AND CERTIFYING THAT THE RESOLUTION IS NOT SUBJECT TO THE CALIFORNIA ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY ACT PURSUANT TO TITLE 14 OF THE CALIFORNIA CODE OF REGULATIONS
The City adopted new building and planning services fee schedules, which will increase and modify the existing fees that the City charges to recover no more than the reasonable costs of providing building and planning review, permitting, inspection, and related activities and services. Building and planning services fees are charged to both public and private parties, as applicable, including, but not limited to, individuals, businesses, and homeowners’ associations, for a variety of purposes, projects, alterations, and improvements.
The City adopted a new encroachment permit fee schedule, which will increase and modify the existing fees that the City charges to recover no more than the reasonable costs of providing review, permitting, and inspection of encroachments on public property/right-of-way, and related activities and services. Encroachment permit fees are charged to both public and private parties, as applicable, including, but not limited to, individuals, businesses, and homeowners’ associations when work or activities are to occur on public property/right-of-way.
The City adopted a new grading permit fee schedule, which will increase and modify the existing fees that the City charges to recover no more than the reasonable costs of providing grading review, permitting, inspection, and related activities and services. Grading permit fees are charged to both public and private parties, as applicable, including, but not limited to, individuals, businesses, and homeowners’ associations for a variety of purposes, projects, and work (e.g., earthwork, excavation).
The new fee schedules will take effect on October 19, 2026.
Contact Information
Name
Justin Faylona
Agency Name
City of Laguna Woods
Job Title
Senior Planner
Contact Types
Lead/Public Agency / Project Applicant
Phone
Email
Location
Cities
Laguna Woods
Counties
Orange
Regions
Citywide, Southern California
Zip
92637
Notice of Exemption
Exempt Status
Other
Type, Section or Code
Not Subject to CEQA (Sec. 15061(b)(3); 15060(c)(2); 15060(c)(3))
Reasons for Exemption
The resolution is not subject to the California Environmental Quality Act (Pub. Resources Code, Sec. 21000 et seq.) (“CEQA”) pursuant to sections 15060(c)(2) (the activities will not result in a direct or reasonably foreseeable indirect physical change in the environment) and 15060(c)(3) (the activities are not a project as defined in section 15378) of the California Code of Regulations, Title 14, Division 6, Chapter 3 (“State CEQA Guidelines”). Section 15378(b)(4) of the State CEQA Guidelines excludes “government funding mechanisms or other government fiscal activities” from its definition of “project” when they “do not involve any commitment to any specific project which may result in a potentially significant physical impact on the environment,” as is the case here.
Even if the resolution were subject to CEQA, it would be categorically exempt under Section 15273 of the State CEQA Guidelines, which applies to the establishment, modification, structuring, restructuring, or approval of rates, tolls, fares, or other charges by the City, when such charges are for the purpose of (1) meeting operating expenses, including employee wage rates and fringe benefits, and (2) purchasing or leasing supplies, equipment, or materials – as is the case here.
Even if the resolution were subject to CEQA, it would be exempt based on Section 15061(b)(3) of the State CEQA Guidelines because it can be seen with certainty that there is no possibility that the activity in question may have a significant effect on the environment. The resolution does not include any physical change to the environment.
County Clerk
Orange
Attachments
Notice of Exemption
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