Division 22. Petitions Under the California Environmental Quality Act · Chapter 1. General Provisions · Last amended 2014 · Last verified July 29, 2026
In one sentenceRule 3.2208 sets the paper specifications for a CEQA administrative record lodged with the court, requiring double-sided, standard-weight pages numbered consecutively, plus binding, page limits per volume or binder, and a labeled cover.
(a)Requirements In the paper format of the administrative record lodged in the court in a proceeding brought under the California Environmental Quality Act:
(1)Both sides of each page must be used;
(2)The paper must be opaque, unglazed, white or unbleached, 8 1/2 by 11 inches, and of standard quality no less than 20-pound weight, except that maps, charts, and other demonstrative materials may be larger; and
(3)Each page must be numbered consecutively at the bottom. (Subd (a) amended effective January 1, 2014.)
(b)Binding and cover The paper format of the administrative record must be bound on the left margin or contained in three-ring binders. Bound volumes must contain no more than 300 pages, and binders must contain no more than 400 pages. If bound, each page must have an adequate margin to allow unimpaired readability. The cover of each volume must contain the information required in rule 2.111, be prominently entitled “ADMINISTRATIVE RECORD,” and state the volume number and the page numbers included in the volume.
Plain-English Summary
Rule 3.2208 covers the physical details of a paper CEQA administrative record, the kind of specification that matters once a record runs into thousands of pages across multiple volumes. Each page has to be printed on both sides, on opaque, unglazed, white or unbleached paper of standard 8½-by-11-inch size and at least 20-pound weight, with oversized maps, charts, and similar materials excepted. Every page needs a page number running consecutively at the bottom.
Subdivision (b) handles binding and labeling. The record must be bound along the left margin or held in three-ring binders, with bound volumes capped at 300 pages and binders capped at 400 pages, and enough margin left on bound pages to keep the text readable. Each volume’s cover has to carry the information Rule 2.111 requires, be prominently labeled "ADMINISTRATIVE RECORD," and state the volume number along with the page numbers inside it — details that let anyone handling a multi-volume record find the right binder without opening every one.
Frequently Asked Questions
What paper size and weight does a CEQA administrative record require?
Opaque, unglazed, white or unbleached paper, 8½ by 11 inches, of standard quality no less than 20-pound weight, except for oversized maps, charts, and demonstrative materials, under Rule 3.2208(a)(2).
How many pages can a bound volume of a CEQA administrative record contain?
No more than 300 pages if bound, or 400 pages if held in a three-ring binder, under Rule 3.2208(b).
What must appear on the cover of a paper CEQA administrative record volume?
The information required by Rule 2.111, the label "ADMINISTRATIVE RECORD," and the volume number and page numbers included in that volume, under Rule 3.2208(b).
Amendment History
Rule 3.2208 renumbered effective July 1, 2014; adopted as rule 3.1368 effective January 1, 2010; previously amended effective January 1, 2014.
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:paper format CEQA administrative record rulesCEQA record binding page limitadministrative record cover page requirements California