Permits / Codes

City and County of Honolulu, Department of Planning and Permitting (DPP)

• Look up a Building Permit or Application

• DPP Permit Checklist

• Codes Currently in Effect

• Revised Ordinances of Honolulu (ROH) 16-12 Indigenous Hawaiian Architecture

• Revised Ordinances of Honolulu (ROH) 16-16 Automated External Defribrillators

• Memorandum of Understanding, re: Trap Seal Protection for Infrequently Used Floor Drains, dated March 22, 2018

• Ewa Highway Impact Fee - Sample letter:  Dropbox\+Sections\FDB\PMS\1_OFFICE REFERENCE\PMS Letters and Memos\Letter and Memo Samples for PC\EWA IMPACT FEE TO DOT

• Do you need a building permit?

  • When Are Building Permits Required? Refer to ROH 18-3.1(a).

    1. To erect, construct, enlarge, alter, repair, move, improve, remove, convert or demolish any building or structure.

    2. Any electrical work or plumbing work that is not exempted.

    3. To construct or alter any sidewalk, curb, or driveway in any public street right-of-way.

    4. To install, construct, alter, relocate or reconstruct any sign.

    5. To erect any temporary tent or similar structure to be used for religious or commercial purposes such as rallies, festivals or carnivals.

    6. Site or retaining wall that will exceed 30″ in height.

  • Building Permit Exemptions - Commonly Applicable Items. A complete list of permit exemptions can be found here. Refer to ROH 18-3.1(b). Although a permit may not be required, all work shall be in accordance with the laws or ordinances of this jurisdiction.

    1. Fences or planter boxes which are not more than 6′ in height and are not located in a flood zone or street corner. (Fences constructed shall also adhere to deed restrictions and fence design criteria by home owner’s association)

    2. Retaining walls which are not more than 30″ in height.

    3. Repairs using similar or same materials for the purpose of maintenance which are not more than $10,000 in valuation in any 12-month period, and do not affect any electrical or plumbing installations.

    4. Painting, cabinet work, floor covering and replacement of windows or doors.

    5. Tool or storage sheds not exceeding 120 square feet as accessories to dwellings.

    6. Individual residential television and radio antennas, excluding dish-type antennas.

    7. Electrical repair work performed by a licensed electrical contractor not involving service entrance equipment and does not exceed $2,500 in any 12-month period.

    8. Plumbing repair work performed by a licensed plumbing contractor which does not exceed $2,500 in any 12-month period.

County of Hawaii - Effective September 1, 2021, The County of Hawaiʻi will be reviewing building permit applications using the minimum standards set forth:

•  Building Code (Interim per HRS 107-28, State Building Code, 2018 IBC as amended) https://ags.hawaii.gov/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/2018StateBuildingCode_20210423.pdf

• Residential Building Code (HCC 5B)

• Existing Building Code (HCC 5C)

• Energy Conservation Code (Interim per HRS 107-28, State Energy Conservation Code, 2018 IECC as amended) https://ags.hawaii.gov/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/soh_bcc_energycode_20201215.pdf

TO CHECK THE STATUS OF A PERMIT

County of Hawaii

Annie 808-323-4740 (Building Division)

http://papaaukahi.hawaiicounty.gov/ 

Site is not always reliable, so you can always call to check. 

You need the information (email address that was listed on the application) from the consultant to login.

The County of Hawaii Department of Public Works is amending its previous communications that extended the deadline to March 7, 2022, to complete construction under any permit that had previously expired per County Code Section 5-5-4.

Kauai County, Act 203, Related to Agricultural Structure Exemptions

https://kauai.gov/LinkClick.aspx?fileticket=JOwBCGAz_aU%3D&tabid=373&portalid=0&mid=1129

2/2/2024 Email from B+K Brian Itozaki in the context of permitting for fire alarm projects:

The permitting procedure for Oahu is the most tedious.  The following is the standard procedure:

1. Plans are submitted to DPP online.

1. Their input section does a preliminary review of the submitted plans.  They require a separate permit for each building.  A large school such as Pearl City HS or Kahuku HS may require up to 30 permits.  Every portable requires a separate permit.

2. Each permit starts with a building permit.  Even if you only do electrical work or fire alarm work, you are required to have a building permit.

3. The building permit review requires a complete breakdown of the building information (Building Code Data) be placed on the plans.

4. Each permit is routed through every department (Bldg., Civil, Electrical, Mechanical, Zoning, HFD and possibly Sanitation, Sewer and Board of Water Supply).

5. The Electrical Review often takes the longest because of their massive backlog.

6. The total review process can take 9-12 months.

7. Once the review process is complete, they give you a list of non-compliant items to correct.

8. After the corrections are made and they have no more comments, three sets of printed and wet signed plans have to be printed and dropped off to the DPP.

9. It can take up to another 3 months before they finally approve the permit.

2. As an option, a 3rd Pary Reviewer can be hired (such as Palekana Permits).

1. The process is basically the same, except they have their own Bldg., Electrical and Mechanical Reviewers.

2. The Electrical Review is where time is saved.  3rd Party Electrical Review can take 2-3 weeks, 2 additional weeks if there are comments.  DPP Electrical Reviews can take up to 6 months, longer if there are comments that require 2 submittals rounds.

The permitting procedure for Maui is as follows:

1. Plans are submitted to the Fire Dept. for a Fire Department Fire Protection Permit

1. The plans are submitted by the Contractor.

2. The processing time may vary, but it is usually quite fast.

The permitting procedure for Kauai is as follows:

1. Plans are submitted to the Bldg. Dept. for an Electrical Permit

1. The plans are submitted by the Contractor.

2. The Electrical Reviewer sends the plans to the Fire Plans Checker for review.

3. The processing time may vary, but it is usually quite fast.

The permitting procedure for Hawaii is as follows:

1. Plans are submitted to the Bldg. Dept. online.

2. Their input section does a preliminary review of the submitted plans.  They require a separate permit for each building.  A large school require up to 30 permits.  Every portable requires a separate permit.

3. Each permit starts with a building permit.  Even if you only do electrical work or fire alarm work, you are required to have a building permit.

4. The building permit review requires a complete breakdown of the building information (Building Code Data) and structure code Information be placed on the plans.

5. Each permit is routed through every department (Bldg., Civil, Electrical, Mechanical, Zoning, HFD and possibly Sanitation, Sewer and Board of Water Supply).

6. The total review process can take 6-8 months.

7. Once the review process is complete, they give you a list of non-compliant items to correct.

8. After the corrections are made and they have no more comments, it can take a few additional months before they finally approve the permit.

DCAB and SHPD submittals are separate.  Those are faster to get processed.