Plan Approval: Before You Start

Below is some basic information about the Plan Approval process.

• What the Process Involves
• What Should Already Be Done
• Who to Hire
• Who Needs Approval
• Who Grants Approval
• How Long the Process Takes

What the Process Involves

Plan approval involves:

• Producing plans for your district's school construction project
• Obtaining School Facilities Planning Division (SFPD) approval of the plans
• Obtaining Division of the State Architect (DSA) approval of the plans

What Should Already Be Done

Your school district has:

• Determined its need for new or modernized facilities
• Determined the educational programs to be offered
• Received verification of eligibility for State funding
• Obtained approved financial hardship status, if your district is applying for financial hardship assistance
• Completed the Site Approval process and received a final site approval letter from the School Facilities Planning Division (SFPD) (new construction projects only)

Who to Hire

All architects and engineers involved in your district's project must be currently registered in California. For information on hiring an architect, contact the American Institute of Architects (AIA).

If your district will be applying for funding from the State, it must use a competitive selection process to obtain all professional services used on its project. See Education Code section 17070.50.

Before the SFPD will issue a final plan approval for new construction, your district must contract with a qualified environmental assessor to conduct a Phase 1 Environmental Assessment (Phase 1) of the proposed site. The Phase 1 is not required in some circumstances.

Who Needs Approval

All school districts requesting State funds for use on a K–12 new construction or modernization project must obtain SFPD plan approval. If the project is self-funded — your district is not requesting State funds — your district may choose not to use the SFPD for plan review, but it must follow all laws and regulations.

DSA Plan approval is required for all school construction projects.

Who Grants Approval

The SFPD and DSA.

The SFPD's plan review focuses on aspects of the facility related to:

• Educational program delivery
• Staff and student safety
• Classroom size
• Parking
• Security
• Recreational space

The DSA performs the following functions:

• Ensures that all plans, specifications, and actual construction comply with Title 24 (California Building Standards Code)
• Develops and maintains accessibility standards pursuant to the Americans with Disabilities Act
• Reviews a school's working drawings to ensure that the proposed structures meet code requirements for seismic safety, fire & life safety, and accessibility

The local Fire Marshal certifies compliance with fire flow and fire access requirements to the DSA.

How Long the Process Takes

The time needed to complete the Plan Approval process varies for every project, depending on size and scope, whether an environmental review is required, and how long it takes for your district's architects and engineers to produce the project plans.

The SFPD review time varies with the size and complexity of the project. Review of a simple modernization project may require one day, while a large new construction project may require several weeks.

DSA plan review time varies with the size and complexity of the project, and the current workload and backlog of projects submitted to the DSA.