CEQA approval usually takes 3 years. With the right exemption, it takes 3 months. Here’s how to do it
Option 1: Statutory Exemptions (Your Best Bet)
These are bulletproof. The state created them. Opponents can’t touch them.
Example: AB 130 lets you skip CEQA completely for urban housing. No review. No delays. No lawsuits.
Why they work:
- Zero wiggle room for challenges
- No “unusual circumstances” loophole
- Judge can’t overturn them
Option 2: Categorical Exemptions (Use Carefully)
33 project types that skip CEQA. But they have a weak spot.
What qualifies:
- Buildings under 10,000 square feet
- Home additions
- Urban infill projects
The risk: One angry neighbor can sink you. They just need to claim your project “might” hurt the environment. Even if it won’t.
Make Your Project Qualify
Before you buy land:
- Check which exemptions exist there
- Design to fit the rules
- Stay under size limits
- Pick urban sites
- Avoid wetlands and wildlife areas
Real example: Shrink from 22 acres to 19 acres? You just qualified for an exemption. That’s 2.5 years saved.
The $100,000 Mistake Most Developers Make
Not filing a Notice of Exemption (NOE).
File the NOE: 35-day lawsuit window Skip the NOE: 180-day lawsuit window
Those extra 145 days? That’s when opponents organize. And sue. And win.
Filing takes 10 minutes. Costs $50. Do it.
5 Ways to Lose Your Exemption
- Changing plans mid-project (Even small changes can disqualify you)
- Bad paperwork (Courts love technicalities)
- Ignoring neighbor projects (Cumulative impacts matter)
- Missing deadlines (One day late = start over)
- Guessing instead of checking (Every detail counts)
New Rules That Help You (2024-2025)
California wants more housing. Fast. New exemptions include:
Near transit? Automatic exemption
Adding affordable units? Skip CEQA
Converting offices? Fast-track approved
Urban infill? Green light
These aren’t tricks. They’re state law.
The Money Math
With CEQA review:
- 3 years waiting
- $500K+ in studies
- $50K/month in carrying costs
- Total delay cost: $1.8 million
With exemption:
- 3 months to approval
- $10K in filing fees
- $150K carrying costs
- Total cost: $160K
You save: $1.64 million
Real Projects We’ve Fast-Tracked
- Downtown LA Mixed-Use: 180 units. Approved in 67 days.
- Long Beach Apartments: 94 units. Approved in 89 days.
- Pasadena Townhomes: 45 units. Approved in 72 days.
All using exemptions. All building now.
Start Today
Most developers don’t know these shortcuts exist. While they wait, you build.
Three steps:
- Send us your project details
- We identify your exemptions
- You break ground in 90 days
Williams Capital Advisors
(213) 880-8107 | francisco.williams@williamscap.ai | williamscapitaladvisors.com
First consultation free. Find out if you qualify.
Stop waiting. Start building.
