Riverside University Health System Behavioral Health (RUHS-BH) Rustin Wall and Structural Analysis Project
Summary
SCH Number
2026090141
Public Agency
Riverside County
Document Title
Riverside University Health System Behavioral Health (RUHS-BH) Rustin Wall and Structural Analysis Project
Document Type
NOE - Notice of Exemption
Received
Posted
9/2/2026
Document Description
The Riverside University Health System – Behavioral Health Rustin Office is located at 2085 Rustin Avenue in Riverside, California, and provides a multitude of essential services to the County, residents, and businesses. The proposed scope of work for the RUHS-BH Rustin Wall and Structural Analysis Project includes, but is not limited to, the selective demolition and modification of interior partitions to combine two existing meeting rooms (Rooms 101 and 139) into a single functional space by removing the existing full-height demising wall between the rooms, removing two existing single-leaf exit doors, and installing a new pair of double-leaf exit doors in place of the current single-leaf configuration.
Additional improvements will include modifications to the existing ceiling system and lighting layout, as necessary, to accommodate the revised floor plan and maintain compliance with applicable building codes and standards. In addition, Bureau Veritas North America, Inc. will perform a structural evaluation of the building primary structural systems, including both gravity and seismic load-resisting components, and develop repair/retrofit measures where structural deficiencies are identified. Structural analysis and evaluation will be performed in accordance with California Existing Building Code (CEBC 2026) and ASCE 41-23 Seismic Evaluation and Retrofit of Existing Buildings, as applicable. The structural evaluation will be performed at the ASCE 41 Tier 1 / Tier 2 screening level unless additional analysis is authorized. The evaluation will primarily focus on the primary structural framing systems including roof framing, floor framing, diaphragms, and primary lateral force-resisting elements. The improvements to the Rustin facility is defined as the proposed project under the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA). The operation of the site will continue to provide public services at the existing facility and will not result in a significant expansion of existing use. No additional direct or indirect physical environmental impacts are anticipated.
Contact Information
Name
Mike Sullivian
Agency Name
County of Riverside
Job Title
Senior Environmental Planner
Contact Types
Lead/Public Agency / Project Applicant / Parties Undertaking Project
Phone
Email
Location
Cities
Riverside
Counties
Riverside
Regions
Southern California
Cross Streets
2085 Rustin Avenue, north of Spruce Street
Zip
92507
Parcel #
249-140-032
State Highways
SR-91, SR-60
Notice of Exemption
Exempt Status
Other
Type, Section or Code
Section 15061 (b) (3) Common Sense Exemption
Reasons for Exemption
Section 15061 (b) (3) – “Common Sense” Exemption: In accordance with CEQA, the use of the Common Sense Exemption is based on the “general rule that CEQA applies only to projects which have the potential for causing a significant effect on the environment.” State CEQA Guidelines, Section 15061(b) (3). The use of this exemption is appropriate if “it can be seen with certainty that there is no possibility that the activity in question may have a significant effect on the environment.” Ibid. This determination is an issue of fact and if sufficient evidence exists in the record that the activity cannot have a significant effect on the environment, then the exemption applies and no further evaluation under CEQA is required. See No Oil, Inc. v. City of Los Angeles (1974) 13 Cal. 3d 68. The ruling in this case stated that if a project falls within a category exempt by administrative regulation or 'it can be seen with certainty that the activity in question will not have a significant effect on the environment', no further agency evaluation is required. With certainty, there is no possibility that the project may have a significant effect on the environment. The improvements to the Rustin facility will not result in any direct or indirect physical environmental impacts.
Exempt Status
Categorical Exemption
Type, Section or Code
Section 15301, Class 1, Existing Facilities Exemption
Reasons for Exemption
The proposed project is categorically exempt from the provisions of CEQA specifically by the State CEQA Guidelines as identified below. The project will not result in any specific or general exceptions to the use of the categorical exemption as detailed under State CEQA Guidelines Section 15300.2. The project will not cause an impact to an environmental resource of hazardous or critical concern nor would the project include unusual circumstances which could have the possibility of having a significant effect on the environment. The project would not result in impacts to scenic highways, hazardous waste sites, historic resources, or other sensitive natural environments, or have a cumulative effect to the environment. No significant environmental impacts are anticipated to occur with the improvements to the Rustin Facility.
This Class 1 categorical exemption includes the operation, repair, maintenance, leasing, or minor alteration of existing public or private structures or facilities, provided the exemption only involves negligible or no expansion of the previous site’s use. The improvements to the Rustin Facility is limited to the combining of two meeting rooms. The improvements are minor alterations to existing equipment within the facility would not expand the building footprint or the capacity of the site and would result in the continuation of public services; therefore, the project is exempt as the improvements meet the scope and intent of the Categorical Exemption identified in Section 15301, Article 19, Categorical Exemptions of the CEQA Guidelines.
County Clerk
Riverside
Attachments
Notice of Exemption
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