Solano Press Books

07/30/2026

August 2026
California Environmental Law & Policy, 2nd edition
The only book that covers the entire field of California environmental, land use, and natural resources law in a concise, user-friendly format. Topics include:

Significant updates to federal and state environmental law that occurred between 2008 and late 2016.
An additional major chapter on international, national and state climate change law and policy.
This book was written to serve the needs of planners, project applicants, developers, landowners, regulatory agency staff, consultants, attorneys, environmental managers, interested citizens, and students with a survey of California environmental law written for a general, non-technical audience.
Written in non-technical language, the book comprehensively surveys the most important California environmental statutes and regulatory programs, as well as relevant federal environmental statutes and regulatory programs. It highlights landmark court cases and current policy issues, and provides practical tips on getting through the regulatory process successfully. To assist in more in-depth research, the book identifies sources of further information for each major program.
Authors: Albert I. Herson and Gary A. Lucks

Print Price: $130 plus tax and shipping

ISBN: 978-1-938166-15-0

E-book now available on Amazon.com.

ISBN: 978-1-938166-16-7

California Land Use & Planning Law 40th edition
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This 40th edition summarizes two years of published decisions, statutory revisions and other agency policies and guidance, including:

• Analysis of new statutory requirements for expanded or updated General Plan content relating to safety, circulation, and conservation elements (Chapter 2)

• Discussion of new California Supreme Court authority clarifying what constitutes a prior lawful “division” of property under the Subdivision Map Act for purposes of the Act’s grandfathering provision (Chapter 5)

• Discussion of new CEQA exemptions for qualified infill residential projects (AB 130) and proposed housing projects that would be exempt “but for a single condition” (SB 131) (Chapter 6)

• Analysis of new case law addressing CEQA requirements, including stability of project descriptions, substantial evidence required to support exemptions, development of thresholds of significance, reliance on offsets for GHG mitigation, requirements for tribal consultation, and calculating the statute of limitations for NODs (Chapter 6)

• Analysis of the Corps and EPA’s November 2025 jointly proposed revisions to federal regulations defining “waters of the United States” subject to federal jurisdiction under the Clean Water Act, and the Corps’ June 2025 proposed reissuance and modifications of Nationwide Permits (NWPs) (Chapter 7)

• Analysis of the USFWS and NMFS’s November 2025 jointly proposed revisions to the federal regulations addressing Section 7 consultations, decisions to list and delist species, designations of areas of critical habitat, and exclusions of areas from such designations (Chapter 8)

• Analysis of significant new United States Supreme Court authority—Sheetz v. County of El Dorado—on the application of Nollan’s and Dolan’s nexus and rough proportionality standards to legislatively enacted exactions in California and discussion of how local agencies and California courts may respond to Sheetz (Chapter 12)

• Discussion of new case law on the distinction between legislative actions subject to referendum as compared to those considered administrative and thus beyond the reach of ballot box challenge (Chapter 13)

• Discussion of new legislation establishing that qualified transit-oriented housing development projects “shall be an allowed use” on sites zoned for residential, mixed, or commercial development near TOD stops in eight urban counties (SB 79) (Chapter 15)

• Discussion of revisions to other state housing laws, including Housing Element Law, Density Bonus Law, the Housing Accountability Act and the Affordable Housing and High Roads Act of 2022, as well as of the new Office to Housing Conversion Act (for adaptive reuse projects) (Chapter 15)

• Analysis of new case law addressing recovery of attorneys’ fees under Code of Civil Procedure section 1021.5, particularly in light of new Government Code section 65589.5(p)(1), which requires a court give “due weight” to the degree to which the challenged agency approval furthers HAA policies (Chapter 18)

Authors: Cecily Talbert Barclay and Matthew Gray

Print Price: $130 plus tax and shipping

Navigating the California Coastal Act
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The only book that provides a comprehensive but concise overview and guide to practice under the California Coastal Act. Offers a clear understanding of current substantive standards and procedures—including how development along the coast is defined, where it may be permitted and under what substantive and procedural standards, and how jurisdiction over planning for development and conservation in coastal areas is determined. Practice tips throughout the book suggest ways to work effectively with Coastal Commission staff and present cases to the Commission.

Navigating the California Coastal Act is intended for planners and officials at local, state, and federal agencies, as well as property owners, real estate developers, attorneys and judges, interested citizen activists, and students.

Topics include:

The Coastal Commission—its qualifications, organization, and role in implementation of the Coastal Act
The Local Coastal Program—its purposes, processes, and common issues
Coastal development permit requirements—types of permits, and emerging or recurring issues
The Coastal Commission hearing and appeal process
Interpreting and applying Coastal Act standards
Other relevant agencies and laws
Enforcement of the Coastal Act
Judicial review
Appendices contain a glossary of terms and summaries of key legal cases.

Author: Jana Zimmer

Print Price: $80 plus tax and shipping

ISBN: 978-1-938166-21-1

E-book now available on Amazon.com

ISBN: 978-1-938166-29-7

07/08/2026

Wednesday July 8 2026
Practical CEQA: A Stepwise Guide to California Environmental Quality Act Compliance

A step-by-step reference for public agency staff, consultants, attorneys, developers, and citizens seeking to understand the environmental review process. Explains CEQA from start to finish in plain language. Offers practical advice to help CEQA practitioners make their way through the process.

With this book users will be better able to:

Understand the environmental review process and determine the roles and responsibilities of state and local agencies
Determine whether CEQA applies to proposed projects and when exemptions are applicable
Learn when a Negative Declaration is appropriate or when an Environmental Impact Report (EIR) must be prepared
Prepare a legally defensible Negative Declaration, Mitigated Negative Declaration, or EIR
Prepare a “program level” EIR and understand how to streamline CEQA by “tiering” later analyses from that EIR
Write feasible, enforceable, and effective mitigation measures
Meaningfully review, evaluate, and comment on CEQA documents prepared by other public agencies
Prepare joint CEQA/NEPA documents to satisfy both CEQA and the federal National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA)
2026 Supplement available now

Authors: Antero (Terry) Rivasplata and Greta Brownlow

Print price: $80 plus tax and shipping

ISBN: 978-1-938166-35-8

Also available as a Kindle ebook

ISBN: 978-1-938166-36-5

Navigating the California Coastal Act
Inline Image
The only book that provides a comprehensive but concise overview and guide to practice under the California Coastal Act. Offers a clear understanding of current substantive standards and procedures—including how development along the coast is defined, where it may be permitted and under what substantive and procedural standards, and how jurisdiction over planning for development and conservation in coastal areas is determined. Practice tips throughout the book suggest ways to work effectively with Coastal Commission staff and present cases to the Commission.

Navigating the California Coastal Act is intended for planners and officials at local, state, and federal agencies, as well as property owners, real estate developers, attorneys and judges, interested citizen activists, and students.

Topics include:

The Coastal Commission—its qualifications, organization, and role in implementation of the Coastal Act
The Local Coastal Program—its purposes, processes, and common issues
Coastal development permit requirements—types of permits, and emerging or recurring issues
The Coastal Commission hearing and appeal process
Interpreting and applying Coastal Act standards
Other relevant agencies and laws
Enforcement of the Coastal Act
Judicial review
Appendices contain a glossary of terms and summaries of key legal cases.
Appendices contain a glossary of terms and summaries of key legal cases.

The book reflects both a love of the coast, and a love of the law, and is enhanced by extraordinary photography, courtesy of Reeve Woolpert, and the artwork of the author.

Author: Jana Zimmer

Print price: $80 plus tax and shipping

ISBN: 978-1-938166-21-1

Also Available as a Kindle ebook

ISBN: 978-1-938166-29-7

California Land Use & Planning Law 40th edition
Inline Image
For over four decades, California Land Use and Planning Law has provided a succinct and definitive summary of the major provisions of California’s land use and planning laws and has been cited by the California Supreme Court and numerous appellate courts as an authoritative source.

This 40th edition summarizes two years of published decisions, statutory revisions and other agency policies and guidance, including:

• Analysis of new statutory requirements for expanded or updated General Plan content relating to safety, circulation, and conservation elements (Chapter 2)

• Discussion of new California Supreme Court authority clarifying what constitutes a prior lawful “division” of property under the Subdivision Map Act for purposes of the Act’s grandfathering provision (Chapter 5)

• Discussion of new CEQA exemptions for qualified infill residential projects (AB 130) and proposed housing projects that would be exempt “but for a single condition” (SB 131) (Chapter 6)

• Analysis of new case law addressing CEQA requirements, including stability of project descriptions, substantial evidence required to support exemptions, development of thresholds of significance, reliance on offsets for GHG mitigation, requirements for tribal consultation, and calculating the statute of limitations for NODs (Chapter 6)

• Analysis of the Corps and EPA’s November 2025 jointly proposed revisions to federal regulations defining “waters of the United States” subject to federal jurisdiction under the Clean Water Act, and the Corps’ June 2025 proposed reissuance and modifications of Nationwide Permits (NWPs) (Chapter 7)

• Analysis of the USFWS and NMFS’s November 2025 jointly proposed revisions to the federal regulations addressing Section 7 consultations, decisions to list and delist species, designations of areas of critical habitat, and exclusions of areas from such designations (Chapter 8)

• Analysis of significant new United States Supreme Court authority—Sheetz v. County of El Dorado—on the application of Nollan’s and Dolan’s nexus and rough proportionality standards to legislatively enacted exactions in California and discussion of how local agencies and California courts may respond to Sheetz (Chapter 12)

• Discussion of new case law on the distinction between legislative actions subject to referendum as compared to those considered administrative and thus beyond the reach of ballot box challenge (Chapter 13)

• Discussion of new legislation establishing that qualified transit-oriented housing development projects “shall be an allowed use” on sites zoned for residential, mixed, or commercial development near TOD stops in eight urban counties (SB 79) (Chapter 15)

• Discussion of revisions to other state housing laws, including Housing Element Law, Density Bonus Law, the Housing Accountability Act and the Affordable Housing and High Roads Act of 2022, as well as of the new Office to Housing Conversion Act (for adaptive reuse projects) (Chapter 15)

• Analysis of new case law addressing recovery of attorneys’ fees under Code of Civil Procedure section 1021.5, particularly in light of new Government Code section 65589.5(p)(1), which requires a court give “due weight” to the degree to which the challenged agency approval furthers HAA policies (Chapter 18)

Authors: Cecily Talbert Barclay and Matthew Gray

Print price: $130 plus tax and shipping

Solano Press Books

Solano Press Books is a California publishing house specializing in definitive references on land use, planning law, urban affairs, and environmental subjects.

07/06/2026

Practical CEQA: A Stepwise Guide to California Environmental Quality Act Compliance

A step-by-step reference for public agency staff, consultants, attorneys, developers, and citizens seeking to understand the environmental review process. Explains CEQA from start to finish in plain language. Offers practical advice to help CEQA practitioners make their way through the process.

With this book users will be better able to:

Understand the environmental review process and determine the roles and responsibilities of state and local agencies
Determine whether CEQA applies to proposed projects and when exemptions are applicable
Learn when a Negative Declaration is appropriate or when an Environmental Impact Report (EIR) must be prepared
Prepare a legally defensible Negative Declaration, Mitigated Negative Declaration, or EIR
Prepare a “program level” EIR and understand how to streamline CEQA by “tiering” later analyses from that EIR
Write feasible, enforceable, and effective mitigation measures
Meaningfully review, evaluate, and comment on CEQA documents prepared by other public agencies
Prepare joint CEQA/NEPA documents to satisfy both CEQA and the federal National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA)
2026 Supplement available now

Authors: Antero (Terry) Rivasplata and Greta Brownlow

Print price: $80 plus tax and shipping

ISBN: 978-1-938166-35-8

Also available as a Kindle ebook

ISBN: 978-1-938166-36-5

Navigating the California Coastal Act

The only book that provides a comprehensive but concise overview and guide to practice under the California Coastal Act. Offers a clear understanding of current substantive standards and procedures—including how development along the coast is defined, where it may be permitted and under what substantive and procedural standards, and how jurisdiction over planning for development and conservation in coastal areas is determined. Practice tips throughout the book suggest ways to work effectively with Coastal Commission staff and present cases to the Commission.

Navigating the California Coastal Act is intended for planners and officials at local, state, and federal agencies, as well as property owners, real estate developers, attorneys and judges, interested citizen activists, and students.

Topics include:

The Coastal Commission—its qualifications, organization, and role in implementation of the Coastal Act
The Local Coastal Program—its purposes, processes, and common issues
Coastal development permit requirements—types of permits, and emerging or recurring issues
The Coastal Commission hearing and appeal process
Interpreting and applying Coastal Act standards
Other relevant agencies and laws
Enforcement of the Coastal Act
Judicial review
Appendices contain a glossary of terms and summaries of key legal cases.
Appendices contain a glossary of terms and summaries of key legal cases.

The book reflects both a love of the coast, and a love of the law, and is enhanced by extraordinary photography, courtesy of Reeve Woolpert, and the artwork of the author.

Author: Jana Zimmer

Print price: $80 plus tax and shipping

ISBN: 978-1-938166-21-1

Also Available as a Kindle ebook

ISBN: 978-1-938166-29-7

California Land Use & Planning Law 40th edition
For over four decades, California Land Use and Planning Law has provided a succinct and definitive summary of the major provisions of California’s land use and planning laws and has been cited by the California Supreme Court and numerous appellate courts as an authoritative source.

This 40th edition summarizes two years of published decisions, statutory revisions and other agency policies and guidance, including:

• Analysis of new statutory requirements for expanded or updated General Plan content relating to safety, circulation, and conservation elements (Chapter 2)

• Discussion of new California Supreme Court authority clarifying what constitutes a prior lawful “division” of property under the Subdivision Map Act for purposes of the Act’s grandfathering provision (Chapter 5)

• Discussion of new CEQA exemptions for qualified infill residential projects (AB 130) and proposed housing projects that would be exempt “but for a single condition” (SB 131) (Chapter 6)

• Analysis of new case law addressing CEQA requirements, including stability of project descriptions, substantial evidence required to support exemptions, development of thresholds of significance, reliance on offsets for GHG mitigation, requirements for tribal consultation, and calculating the statute of limitations for NODs (Chapter 6)

• Analysis of the Corps and EPA’s November 2025 jointly proposed revisions to federal regulations defining “waters of the United States” subject to federal jurisdiction under the Clean Water Act, and the Corps’ June 2025 proposed reissuance and modifications of Nationwide Permits (NWPs) (Chapter 7)

• Analysis of the USFWS and NMFS’s November 2025 jointly proposed revisions to the federal regulations addressing Section 7 consultations, decisions to list and delist species, designations of areas of critical habitat, and exclusions of areas from such designations (Chapter 8)

• Analysis of significant new United States Supreme Court authority—Sheetz v. County of El Dorado—on the application of Nollan’s and Dolan’s nexus and rough proportionality standards to legislatively enacted exactions in California and discussion of how local agencies and California courts may respond to Sheetz (Chapter 12)

• Discussion of new case law on the distinction between legislative actions subject to referendum as compared to those considered administrative and thus beyond the reach of ballot box challenge (Chapter 13)

• Discussion of new legislation establishing that qualified transit-oriented housing development projects “shall be an allowed use” on sites zoned for residential, mixed, or commercial development near TOD stops in eight urban counties (SB 79) (Chapter 15)

• Discussion of revisions to other state housing laws, including Housing Element Law, Density Bonus Law, the Housing Accountability Act and the Affordable Housing and High Roads Act of 2022, as well as of the new Office to Housing Conversion Act (for adaptive reuse projects) (Chapter 15)

• Analysis of new case law addressing recovery of attorneys’ fees under Code of Civil Procedure section 1021.5, particularly in light of new Government Code section 65589.5(p)(1), which requires a court give “due weight” to the degree to which the challenged agency approval furthers HAA policies (Chapter 18)

Authors: Cecily Talbert Barclay and Matthew Gray

Print price: $130 plus tax and shipping

website www.solano.com or call our office at (800) 931-9373

Solano Press Books is a California publishing house specializing in definitive references on land use, planning law, urban affairs, and environmental subjects.

06/03/2026

Wednesday June 3 2026
Strategic Code Enforcement

The definitive guide to creating, administering, and enforcing land use regulations and building, housing, and nuisance abatement codes and procedures. A complete update of Solano Press's Code Enforcement: A Comprehensive Approach, reflecting changes in the field and the legal, policy, and political complexities confronting code enforcement professionals today, such as zoning reform, housing preservation, hoarding, homeless encampments, and vacant properties. Outlines core principles and practices for data-driven decision-making, proactive leadership, creative management and cross-agency, cross-sector collaborations to advance community goals. Highlights innovative strategies and models from pioneering cities across the country, and examples of statutory and case law from California and other states. An essential reference for local government policymakers, planning and housing directors, municipal attorneys, prosecutors, code enforcement practitioners, and their nonprofit and community partners.

Solano Press Books congratulates co-authors Joe Schilling and Doug Leeper, who will serve as faculty at the 10th Annual Strategic Code Enforcement Management Academy (SCEMA) that will be hosted at the University of Memphis Law School, June 10th-12th, 2026. Cross departmental code teams (housing, fire, building, zoning, law, etc.) from the following cities will cover many of the core principles and practices outlined in the Solano Press Strategic Code Enforcement (2025): Baltimore (MD), Baton Rouge (LA), Cleveland (OH), Elk Grove (CA), Jackson, Knoxville, Memphis and Nashville (TN), Puerto Rico, Stockton (CA), St. Louis (MO) and Syracuse (NY). In celebration of its 10th year, SCEMA participants and faculty will receive a discount on purchases of the Strategic Code Enforcement.

Authors: Joe Schilling, Douglas Leeper & Diane Silva Martinez

Print Price: $180 plus tax and shipping

Navigating the California Coastal Act

The only book that provides a comprehensive but concise overview and guide to practice under the California Coastal Act. Offers a clear understanding of current substantive standards and procedures—including how development along the coast is defined, where it may be permitted and under what substantive and procedural standards, and how jurisdiction over planning for development and conservation in coastal areas is determined. Practice tips throughout the book suggest ways to work effectively with Coastal Commission staff and present cases to the Commission.

Navigating the California Coastal Act is intended for planners and officials at local, state, and federal agencies, as well as property owners, real estate developers, attorneys and judges, interested citizen activists, and students.

Author: Jana Zimmer

Print price: $80 plus tax and shipping

Also available as an e-book on Amazon

Land Use Planning in California: An Essential Reference

A comprehensive guide to how land use planning works in California. Extensive, easy-to-use cross-references help readers find what they need and understand the connections and interrelationships among a wide range of planning topics. A vital resource for new and seasoned planners; students in planning and related fields; and professionals in public works, architecture, landscape architecture, law, real estate, public health, air quality, water resources, wildfire management, transportation, coastal resources, and climate protection - as well as journalists, community activists, land conservation and historic preservation advocates, and legislative staff.

Author: Thomas Jacobson

Print price: $75 plus tax and shipping

Also available as an e-book on Amazon

05/12/2026

Tuesday May 12 2026
California Land Use & Planning Law 40th edition

For over four decades, California Land Use and Planning Law has provided a succinct and definitive summary of the major provisions of California’s land use and planning laws and has been cited by the California Supreme Court and numerous appellate courts as an authoritative source.

This 40th edition summarizes two years of published decisions, statutory revisions and other agency policies and guidance, including:

• Analysis of new statutory requirements for expanded or updated General Plan content relating to safety, circulation, and conservation elements (Chapter 2)

• Discussion of new California Supreme Court authority clarifying what constitutes a prior lawful “division” of property under the Subdivision Map Act for purposes of the Act’s grandfathering provision (Chapter 5)

• Discussion of new CEQA exemptions for qualified infill residential projects (AB 130) and proposed housing projects that would be exempt “but for a single condition” (SB 131) (Chapter 6)

• Analysis of new case law addressing CEQA requirements, including stability of project descriptions, substantial evidence required to support exemptions, development of thresholds of significance, reliance on offsets for GHG mitigation, requirements for tribal consultation, and calculating the statute of limitations for NODs (Chapter 6)

• Analysis of the Corps and EPA’s November 2025 jointly proposed revisions to federal regulations defining “waters of the United States” subject to federal jurisdiction under the Clean Water Act, and the Corps’ June 2025 proposed reissuance and modifications of Nationwide Permits (NWPs) (Chapter 7)

• Analysis of the USFWS and NMFS’s November 2025 jointly proposed revisions to the federal regulations addressing Section 7 consultations, decisions to list and delist species, designations of areas of critical habitat, and exclusions of areas from such designations (Chapter 8)

• Analysis of significant new United States Supreme Court authority—Sheetz v. County of El Dorado—on the application of Nollan’s and Dolan’s nexus and rough proportionality standards to legislatively enacted exactions in California and discussion of how local agencies and California courts may respond to Sheetz (Chapter 12)

• Discussion of new case law on the distinction between legislative actions subject to referendum as compared to those considered administrative and thus beyond the reach of ballot box challenge (Chapter 13)

• Discussion of new legislation establishing that qualified transit-oriented housing development projects “shall be an allowed use” on sites zoned for residential, mixed, or commercial development near TOD stops in eight urban counties (SB 79) (Chapter 15)

• Discussion of revisions to other state housing laws, including Housing Element Law, Density Bonus Law, the Housing Accountability Act and the Affordable Housing and High Roads Act of 2022, as well as of the new Office to Housing Conversion Act (for adaptive reuse projects) (Chapter 15)

• Analysis of new case law addressing recovery of attorneys’ fees under Code of Civil Procedure section 1021.5, particularly in light of new Government Code section 65589.5(p)(1), which requires a court give “due weight” to the degree to which the challenged agency approval furthers HAA policies (Chapter 18)

Authors: Cecily Talbert Barclay and Matthew Gray

Print Price: $130 plus tax and shipping

Natural Resource Regulation in California
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This book is for anyone seeking an understanding of the complexities of state and federal wetlands and endangered species permitting in California. It is a resource for lawyers, students, teachers, planners, biologists, resource managers, local government officials, consultants, and members of the public It provides a useful guide that offers both a broad perspective and detailed information on the agencies, laws, regulations, and policies that govern the permitting process.

Topics include:

Threatened and endangered species (state and federal)
Avian, plant, and fish protections (state and federal)
California fully protected and other special status species
Wetlands and other waters of the United States
California’s new wetlands definition and dredge and
fill procedures for waters of the State
Rivers, streams, and lakes under the California Fish
and Game Code
Conservation easements, mitigation banks and other mitigation structures
Conservation planning (HCPs, NCCPs, RCISs)
Cultural resources under the National Historic Preservation Act and other statutes
California bay and coastal resource protection
The public trust doctrine
Print Price: $135 plus tax and shipping

ISBN: 978-1-938166-31-0

Kindle e-book available at Amazon.com

ISBN: 978-1-938166-32-7

Guide to the California Forest Practice Act and Related Laws
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ON SALE NOW - 25% OFF LIST PRICE

A comprehensive treatise on the applicable state and federal legislation that regulates timber harvesting on private lands in California. Intended as a complete resource for the full range of actors involved, the book covers statutory and regulatory requirements, case law, and agency policies, and includes short articles, charts, graphs, tables, and appendices to help the reader understand complex regulatory processes and how they interrelate.

COVERED TOPICS

Agencies and professional groups involved in forest practices regulation
Board of Forestry rulemaking requirements
Timber harvest review process
Substantive standards for timber harvest plans
Standards specific to protection of animals and plants
Rules governing protection of historical and archaeological resources
Sustained yield plan process and other types of timber harvest plans
Local government regulation of timber harvesting
Timberland Productivity Act
Timberland conversion
Private and public enforcement mechanisms and penalties
Requirements for disclosure of public records
Licensing and regulation of registered professional foresters and licensed timber operators
State and federal forestry assistance programs
Common law nuisance and the public trust doctrine
Authors: Sharon E. Duggan and Tara Mueller

Print Price: $95 less 25%, plus tax and shipping
see our website for more information www.solano.com
Thank you.

Solano Press Books is a California publishing house specializing in definitive references on land use, planning law, urban affairs, and environmental subjects.