Public School Construction Program

The Utah Division of Facilities Construction and Management has been designated as the sole state authority for the oversight of public school construction projects, replacing the State Board of Education, effective July 1, 2026. This shift ensures standardized cost controls, greater accountability, and compliance with strict safety and efficiency requirements across all Local Education Agencies (LEAs). Full compliance with the new rules is required for all projects beginning construction after January 1, 2027.

S.B. 164 formalizes DFCM's new authority under Title 63A, Chapter 5b, Part 12, Public School Construction Oversight, which is still forthcoming.

DFCM’s new oversight includes the following key areas:

• Permitting and Approval: DFCM shall have the exclusive authority to issue permits and grant occupancy on public school construction projects.
• Cost Control and Standards: DFCM will be establishing comprehensive construction rules covering building standards, maximum real property size, and cost-per-square-foot parameters.
• Safety and Technical Compliance: Projects will be required to adhere to mandatory technical requirements, including fire safety, security, energy codes, and accessibility standards.
• Accountability and Reporting: DFCM will implement a standardized cost reporting system and develop a comprehensive construction cost database. LEAs are required to use an online document management system for all construction documentation and compliance tracking.
• Code Inspectors and Plan Reviewers: DFCM has the sole authority to approve inspectors for school construction projects and will maintain a list of approved, qualified inspectors and plan reviewers on our website.
• Delegation: The Division may delegate oversight authority to qualified school districts for the school facility planning, design review, and construction plan approval to an LEA that has demonstrated internal capacity in construction management, procurement, and project delivery.

With the transfer of public school construction oversight to the Division of Facilities Construction and Management (DFCM) under S.B. 164, Local Education Agencies (LEAs) must adhere to new standards for permitting, cost control, and compliance by January 1, 2027. To ensure clarity during this transition, please use the form provided to submit all official questions regarding project compliance, cost matrix determinations, permitting, and standardized reporting requirements under the new oversight program.