CEQA: local-agency time limit for completing and certifying EIR, not more than 1 year after application accepted complete
12 months after date the application was received and accepted as complete, under Cal. Pub. Res. Code 21151.5(a)(1)(A).
Rule text
(a) (1) For projects described in subdivision (c) of Section 21065, each local agency shall establish, by ordinance or resolution, time limits that do not exceed the following: (A) One year for completing and certifying environmental impact reports.
Calculate this deadline
Deadline
Monday, November 8, 2027
- Trigger (Date the application was received and accepted as complete): Friday, November 6, 2026.
- Add 12 months: Saturday, November 6, 2027.
- That day is a Saturday, so the deadline moves to the next court day: Monday, November 8, 2027 (Cal. Code Civ. Proc. 12, 12a, 12b; Cal. Gov. Code 6800, 6707 (state agency filings); Fed. R. Civ. P. 6(a) (federal statutes and federal court filings)).
Rules applied
Cal. Pub. Res. Code 21151.5(a)(1)(A)
(a) (1) For projects described in subdivision (c) of Section 21065, each local agency shall establish, by ordinance or resolution, time limits that do not exceed the following: (A) One year for completing and certifying environmental impact reports.Official source
Cal. Code Civ. Proc. 12, 12a, 12b; Cal. Gov. Code 6800, 6707 (state agency filings); Fed. R. Civ. P. 6(a) (federal statutes and federal court filings)
CCP 12: "The time in which any act provided by law is to be done is computed by excluding the first day, and including the last, unless the last day is a holiday, and then it is also excluded." CCP 12a(a): "If the last day for the performance of any act provided or required by law to be performed within a specified period of time is a holiday, then that period is hereby extended to and including the next day that is not a holiday. For purposes of this section, “holiday” means all day on Saturdays, all holidays specified in Section 135 and, to the extent provided in Section 12b, all days that by terms of Section 12b are required to be considered as holidays." Gov. Code 6707: "When the last day for filing any instrument or other document with a state agency falls upon a Saturday or holiday, such act may be performed upon the next business day with the same effect as if it had been performed upon the day appointed." FRCP 6(a): "The following rules apply in computing any time period specified in these rules, in any local rule or court order, or in any statute that does not specify a method of computing time. (1) ... (A) exclude the day of the event that triggers the period; (B) count every day, including intermediate Saturdays, Sundays, and legal holidays; and (C) include the last day of the period, but if the last day is a Saturday, Sunday, or legal holiday, the period continues to run until the end of the next day that is not a Saturday, Sunday, or legal holiday."Official source
- Outer limit for the local ordinance; the agency's own ordinance may be shorter. Reasonable extension with applicant consent (21151.5(a)(4)). State agencies: same limits under 21100.2.
- If the clerk's office is closed or inaccessible on the last day (weather, emergency or local closure orders), the deadline may be extended. Check local orders.
This calculator applies the cited rules to the dates you enter. It is not legal advice. Court orders, local rules, and case-specific facts can change a deadline; verify before relying on it. Rule set pending attorney review.
Worked example
Date the application was received and accepted as complete on Monday, March 15, 2027, personal service: due Wednesday, March 15, 2028.
- Trigger (Date the application was received and accepted as complete): Monday, March 15, 2027.
- Add 12 months: Wednesday, March 15, 2028.
Notes
Outer limit for the local ordinance; the agency's own ordinance may be shorter. Reasonable extension with applicant consent (21151.5(a)(4)). State agencies: same limits under 21100.2.
Related deadlines
- CEQA: lead agency determines whether EIR or negative declaration is required within 30 days after application accepted as complete (30 days after)
- CEQA: applicant's request for early consultation within 30 days after the EIR/ND determination (30 days after)
- CEQA notice of preparation: responsible/trustee agencies and OPR specify EIR scope and content within 30 days of receipt (30 days after)
- CEQA: lead agency convenes requested NOP consultation meeting within 30 days of request (30 days after)
- CEQA: local agency executes EIR consultant contract within 45 days after sending NOP (45 days after)
- CEQA: local-agency time limit for completing and adopting negative declaration, not more than 180 days after application accepted complete (180 days after)
- CEQA (AB 52): lead agency formal notification to requesting tribes within 14 days of application complete or decision to undertake project (14 days after)
- CEQA (AB 52): tribe's written request for consultation within 30 days of receipt of formal notification (30 days after)
Rules current as of 2026-10-27. Confirm against the official source and any local rule or court order before relying on a date. Rules changelog.