Environmental coordination involves the environmental review processes required by the State of California and/or the federal government.

There are various levels of environmental review required for new development.  Most of these levels of review are related to the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA).  The City of Santa Ana is in charge of review as a requirement of the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) for projects within the City or its sphere of influence.

The City prepares or oversees the preparation of an environmental assessment for any project that is not exempt from CEQA. This assessment may take the form of a Negative Declaration or Mitigated Negative Declaration for projects that will either have no effect on the environment or can be conditioned to have no impact. In cases where some form of environmental impact will occur, an Environmental Impact Report is required.