(Authority cited: Government Code 4450-4461)

All CSU construction, state and nonstate funded, including buildings, structures, sidewalks, curbs, and related facilities, intended for use by the public, with any reasonable availability to or usage by, persons with disabilities, constructed in whole or in part by the use of state funds requires access compliance review and certification by Department of General Services, State Architect, Access Compliance Unit (DSA).

Access Compliance submittals to DSA
Submittals to DSA shall be made by the architect-of-record for the project directly to DSA. The campus shall coordinate payment by check for DSA access review fees to DSA. Initial DSA reviews may take 4 to 6 weeks. Plan accordingly. For small projects DSA currently accepts appointments for over-the-counter reviews.

Access compliance review by CSU systemwide plan check firms
Campuses may continue to authorize systemwide plan check firms to provide access compliance reviews recognizing that this does not substitute for DSA or campus deputy building official certification.

Although DSA review and approval is required in most situations, an access compliance review by CSU plan check firms performed concurrently, but separately, from the DSA review does provide a knowledgeable opinion of access compliance and may be useful for internal evaluation by Office of the Chancellor.

CSU Systemwide Plan Check and Access Compliance Review Agreements »

Access Compliance submittals to CSU
Where applicable, the CSU building official or campus deputy building official provides the certification. The architect of record shall coordinate with the campus for submittal instructions in these cases.

Projects that CSU can self-certify for access compliance:
Repair, maintenance and re-roofing projects
(See CBC Chap. 11B, Div. IV 1134B.2.1, Exception 4)

Authority cited: 1995 WL 274917 Cal. A.G. Opinion No. 94-1109. State attorney general defines normal maintenance, re-roofing, painting or wallpapering, asbestos removal, or changes to mechanical and electrical systems not to be alterations (i.e. construction). Per GC 4450 such work thus is not subject to DSA review.

Projects not intended for use by the public:
This may include: Some faculty/staff housing projects

The determination of CBC Chapter 11B accessibility applicability is complex and project specific. Faculty/staff projects will likely have elements that trigger the requirement for DSA review and approval. Contact CPDC to discuss.

Any reasonable availability to or usage by, persons with disabilities:
Projects that have no reasonable availability to persons with disabilities are limited, but might include mechanical system installations/upgrades, roof-top solar arrays in non- public areas, utility tunnel changes, etc.

Most infrastructure projects however will likely have elements that trigger a requirement for DSA review and approval. For example below-grade utility line or street improvement work that removes/replaces curbs or walks affect paths of travel and will require access compliance review. Contact CPDC to discuss.

$25,000 cost threshold exemption does NOT apply to CSU projects
Previously it was understood that CSU work with a construction cost of $25,000 or less could be CSU-self-certified. DSA has informed us that that requirement applies only to Field Act facilities and thus not to CSU. DSA reminds us of the requirements of Gov Code 4454 that states:

 ‘where state funds are utilized… …no contract shall be awarded until the Department of General Services (DSA) has issued written approval stating that the plans and specifications comply with the intent of this chapter’.
All CSU construction work that is not repair-related requires DSA approval.

Check CPDC site for periodic updates and announcements
Direct CSU process questions to CPDC A/E.
Direct DSA process questions to the DSA regional office to which the project will be filed.

Related Links:

DSA Website, DSA Regional Offices, DSA Fee Calculator  »

Recommended Checklist before making compliance submittal  »

Government Code 4450-4461 (.pdf)

California Attorney General Opinion defining 'alterations' (.pdf)