PUBLIC RECORDS ACT REQUESTS

Requests for records may be oral or in writing; however, DGS encourages written requests to be submitted via the GovQA system in order to assist the department in providing accurate, complete and timely responses. For additional information please read Public Record Inspection Guidelines (PDF).

NOTICE TO SCHOOL DISTRICTS

DSA is now accepting requests for authorized users via the School District Documentation Authorization form webpage, and once reviewed and approved by DSA staff, the user will be able to request a plan through the Project Document Request for School Districts form webpage.

For questions regarding this new process please contact your local DSA regional office. 

Public Records Act Exemption Notice to Public Schools, Community Colleges, California State Universities, and University of California Campuses, and Requestors of Plan Sets

The Department of General Services, Division of the State Architect (DSA) has determined that DSA approved project plans/drawings (plan sets) retained by DSA are exempt from disclosure for requests made under the Public Records Act (PRA). These records are exempted by Government Code Section 7922.000, as DSA has deemed that the public interest in having access to these records is substantially outweighed by the public interest in withholding them for the purpose of protecting the safety of students and faculty occupying public educational facilities. DSA will, however, upon request, return these records to the facilities’ entity for which the plan sets are associated with and owned by upon their request for distribution to the public. All other project related documentation will still be available to the public from DSA through the existing PRA request process. 

As a result of this exemption, effective May 13, 2024, DSA now requires PRA requestors seeking retained plan sets to contact the facilities entity for which the plan sets are associated with and owned by. Each facilities’ entity shall provide DSA the name of the facilities’ manager, or facilities’ designated staff authorized to approve PRA requests. DSA will maintain a list of entity designated staff authorized to approve the request. The facilities’ manager, or facilities’ designated staff authorized to approve the request shall then send an email from their facilities’ associated email account to DSA providing the application number (“A” number) for the requested project. If requested, DSA will provide all other project related documentation along with the plans at the same time.

For future requests, and to reduce processing time, schools districts, community college districts, California State Universities, and University of California campuses are advised to develop their own archive of plan sets requested after May 13, 2024.    

SUBPOENAS

Legal documents and subpoenas must be personally served on the Department of General Services (DGS). DGS is the legal agent for service.

Office of Legal Services
Department of General Services
707 3rd Street, 7th Floor
West Sacramento, CA.  95691

(916) 376-5080

News media inquiries should be directed to the Department of General Services, Office of Public Affairs, by email dgspublicaffairs@dgs.ca.gov or by telephone (916) 376-5037.