The party preparing the administrative record must lodge it with the court and serve it on each party. A record in electronic format must comply with rule 3.2207. A record in paper format must comply with rule 3.2208. If the party preparing the administrative record elects, is required by law, or is ordered to prepare an electronic version of the record, (1) a court may require the party to lodge one copy of the record in paper format, and (2) a party may request the record in paper format and pay the reasonable cost or show good cause for a court order requiring the party preparing the administrative record to serve the requesting party with one copy of the record in paper format.
Rule 3.2206.Lodging and service
Division 22. Petitions Under the California Environmental Quality Act · Chapter 1. General Provisions · Last amended 2014 · Last verified July 29, 2026
In one sentenceRule 3.2206 requires the party preparing the CEQA administrative record to lodge it with the court and serve it on every party, following the electronic-format rule or paper-format rule as applicable, with options for a party to require or request a paper copy under certain conditions.
Full Text of Rule 3.2206
Plain-English Summary
Rule 3.2206 sets the basic delivery mechanics for the CEQA administrative record. Whoever prepares the record has to lodge it with the court and serve a copy on every other party in the case. If that copy is electronic, it has to meet the requirements in Rule 3.2207; if it is on paper, Rule 3.2208 controls instead.
The rule also manages the friction that can come from choosing electronic format. When the preparing party elects, or is required or ordered, to produce the record electronically, the court can still require that party to lodge one paper copy with the court itself. And a party who wants a paper copy for their own use can get one too — either by paying the reasonable cost of producing it, or, if that is not workable, by showing good cause for a court order requiring the preparing party to serve one paper copy.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is responsible for lodging the CEQA administrative record with the court?
The party preparing the record. Rule 3.2206 requires that party to lodge the record with the court and serve a copy on each other party.
Can a party get a paper copy of an electronic CEQA administrative record?
Yes. Rule 3.2206 allows a party to request a paper copy by paying the reasonable cost of producing it, or by showing good cause for a court order requiring the preparing party to serve one paper copy.
Does the court ever require a paper copy of an electronic record?
Yes. Rule 3.2206 allows a court to require the party preparing an electronic administrative record to also lodge one copy of the record in paper format with the court.
Amendment History
Rule 3.2206 renumbered and amended effective July 1, 2014; adopted as rule 3.1366 effective January 1, 2010.
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: lodging CEQA administrative record with courtserving CEQA administrative record on partiespaper copy of CEQA record request