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.

This webpage is dedicated to keep Local Education Agencies (LEAs), contractors, code inspectors and plan reviewers, and the general public informed of the division's progress with the implementation of SB164.

Strategic Roadmap (April - May 2026)

For the past two months, DFCM leadership has been focused on evaluating the new statute requirements for DFCM Public School Construction oversight, prioritizing the elements of implementation, and development of a timeline.

The First 60 Days:

• Transition of Administrative Rules: Rulemaking teams have been assembled and are working to draft new administrative rules that will replace sections of Rule 277. 
• LEA Outreach: DFCM is actively meeting with LEAs to learn about their teams, internal operations, and listen to concerns regarding the transition of oversight. Please note that due to time constraints and limited resources, DFCM will not be able to meet with every LEA during this outreach timeframe.
• Documentation Requests: The division is gathering historical project documentation from LEA s that will be reviewed and used to establish future construction cost matrices and evaluate potential delegation opportunities for qualified districts.
• Online Portal Solution: DFCM is vetting online portal solutions to centralize project requests and monthly compliance reporting.

The Next 90 Days (June - August 2026)

Over the next three months, the operational roadmap focuses on structural program development , including:

• Cost Matrix Development: LEA document submissions will allow DFCM to start evaluating cost at a deeper level and aid in cost matrix development that is slated to be released in the fourth quarter. 
• Online Portal Development: DFCM will begin configuring the selected online tool that will allow LEA’s to submit required documentation.
• Policy & Form Standardization: DFCM will develop new policies and construction project forms which will replace various existing USBE forms.
• Industry Prequalification: The division will open prequalification opportunities for contractors across multiple disciplines, certified code inspectors, and licensed plan reviewers.
• Early Stage Delegation: DFCM will review and identify LEAs that have demonstrated sufficient independent project management and procurement capabilities for early-stage delegation.
• Targeted Training Sessions: Educational and instructional sessions will be scheduled for LEA administrators and staff, as well as contractors and inspectors to ensure program readiness by January 1, 2027.

DFCM is excited to announce targeted educational and instructional training sessions available this fall. Training sessions will be conducted at the Fall UFOMA Conference on September 29, 2026, and at the Taylorsville State Office Building October 5 th and 6 th , 2026. A registration link will be available July 1 st , 2026 on this webpage. LEA administrators and staff, as well as contractors, inspectors and plan reviewers are encouraged to save these dates to ensure readiness by January 2027. For those unable to attend in person, virtual training options are being developed and will be announced in a future update.

Training sessions will include:

For all LEA administrators and staff, contractors, design professionals, building inspectors, and plan reviewers:

• New construction management procedures including oversight responsibilities and compliance, including the transition from Rule 277 to Rule 23, as applicable for public school construction, including procurement requirements and approved vendor lists for contractors, inspectors, and plan reviewers.
• The DFCM construction permit (63A-5b-1218) — how it’s obtained, what it covers, fee structure, and how it satisfies local permitting.
• The certificate of occupancy/certificate of completion requirements.
• How to use the DFCM Electronic Document Management System (EDMS) for building code compliance, permitting, inspection reports, and Certificate of Occupancy.
• Transition of active projects to the EDMS system.

For LEA administration and staff:

• How to use the Construction Management Portal including construction applications, contract approvals, documentation requirements, and project tracking.
• Transition of active projects into the Construction Management Portal.
• Construction delivery methods, including proper implementation, cost control, and approval process.
• Delegation – What it means, who it applies to, and how to stay informed.
• Auditing requirements, including procurement compliance (63G-6a), qualifications-based selection requirements, contractor health insurance, cost data adequacy, building code and permitting compliance, and project close-out.

This information will be regularly added to and updated as needed through the end of 2026.

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.