Except as otherwise provided in chapter 2 of the rules in this division, which govern actions under Public Resources Code sections 21168.6.6–21168.6.9, 21178–21189.3, 21189.70– 21189.70.10, and 21189.80–21189.91, the rules in this chapter apply to all actions brought under the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) as stated in division 13 of the Public Resources Code.
Rule 3.2200.Application
Division 22. Petitions Under the California Environmental Quality Act · Chapter 1. General Provisions · Last amended 2025 · Last verified July 29, 2026
In one sentenceRule 3.2200 applies the general CEQA judicial-review rules in this chapter to all actions brought under the California Environmental Quality Act, except where Chapter 2’s rules for specific streamlined CEQA project categories govern instead.
Full Text of Rule 3.2200
Plain-English Summary
Rule 3.2200 is the entry point for the California Rules of Court provisions on litigating CEQA challenges. It applies the chapter’s general rules — covering the administrative record, briefing, and related procedures — to every action brought under the California Environmental Quality Act as defined in division 13 of the Public Resources Code.
That broad reach has one significant exception. The Legislature has created several fast-track judicial review programs for specific categories of large, state-certified projects — environmental leadership projects, certain sports and media campus developments, transit projects, and qualifying infrastructure projects among them. Chapter 2 of this division contains its own specialized rules for those streamlined CEQA projects, and where Chapter 2 speaks to a subject, its provisions control instead of the general rules in Chapter 1.
Frequently Asked Questions
What actions does Rule 3.2200 apply to?
All actions brought under the California Environmental Quality Act, as defined in division 13 of the Public Resources Code, subject to the exception for streamlined CEQA projects.
When do the general CEQA rules in Chapter 1 not apply?
When a project qualifies as a streamlined CEQA project under Chapter 2 of this division, which governs specific project categories under the Public Resources Code sections Rule 3.2200 lists, such as environmental leadership and infrastructure projects.
Does Rule 3.2200 create new CEQA substantive standards?
No. It is a scope rule that determines which set of court procedures — the general chapter or the streamlined-projects chapter — governs a given CEQA action.
Amendment History
Rule 3.2200 amended effective July 1, 2025; adopted effective July 1, 2014; previously amended effective January 1, 2017, March 11, 2022, January 1, 2023, and December 31, 2023.
Source & verification. Rule text is reproduced verbatim from
the Judicial Council of California. Adopted by the Judicial Council of California.
Last verified July 29, 2026.
· Official source
Also known as: CEQA judicial review rules California courtswhich CEQA cases does rule 3.2200 coverstreamlined CEQA project court rules