CalEPA Metadata Standards for Geospatial Data

The Getting Started section is your go-to guide for figuring out how to meet the minimum metadata requirements for sharing your geospatial data. The guidance and direction outlined in this policy uses ArcGIS software (ArcGIS Enterprise, ArcGIS Pro, and ArcGIS Online (AGOL)) as examples, since it is the most widely used GIS technology across the agency. However, they should also serve as a framework for sharing geospatial data in any format. Having good metadata makes your data easier to find, understand, and trust, ensuring effective content sharing. The usability and accessibility of our data will ultimately be enhanced by adhering to these guidelines. CalEPA’s Minimum Metadata requirements are based on the FAIR data principles and California Open Data Policy Requirements, California Open Data Publishers Handbook.