Honolulu County, Hawaii Building Permit Guide

Building permits for the City and County of Honolulu are issued by DPP from the Honolulu Building Permit Center, 650 South King Street, Honolulu HI 96813, and a satellite Kapolei Building Permit Center at 1000 Uluohia Street, both open Monday through Friday, 7:45 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. DPP plans Oʻahu through eight regional plans: two Development Plans (Primary Urban Center and ʻEwa), where most growth is directed, and six Sustainable Communities Plans (Central Oʻahu, Waiʻanae, North Shore, Koʻolau Loa, Koʻolau Poko and East Honolulu).

This guide covers the DPP rules that apply across the county: divisions, CivCheck, fees, expiry, inspections, flood and coastal permits, site work and appeals.

What requires a permit in Honolulu County?

Since August 4, 2025, every zoning permit or approval that may be needed before a building or site development permit is filed through the HNL Build portal. Updated FEMA flood maps for Oʻahu took effect June 10, 2026, and projects in Special Flood Hazard Areas (Zones A, AE, AEF, AH, AO, V and VE) may no longer qualify for DPP Quick Permits and must meet ROH Chapter 21A (Flood Hazard Areas).

Emergency repairs after Tropical Storm Lala

DPP allows eligible emergency repair work to start before a permit if it does not enlarge the structure and a permit application is filed through HNL Build on the next working day. Fees for storm-damage cleanup and repair are waived.

Who handles permitting in Honolulu County?

CivCheck pre-application for homes

From September 1, 2026, DPP requires the CivCheck guided AI pre-application for new construction, additions and alterations of single-family, two-family and duplex homes, and for ADUs and ʻOhana units. Applications for these projects that skip CivCheck are rejected at pre-application review. Commercial, solar, fence and retaining-wall permits are not included.

Honolulu County permit costs and fees

Two fees are charged, and both are based on the project value of work in each structure (ROH 18-6.1 and 18-6.2). The plan review fee, due when plans are accepted for review, is 20% of the tentative building permit fee, up to a maximum of $25,000.

An application whose plan review fees are paid but which is not issued within 365 days expires under ROH Section 18-6.4, unless the building official extends it; send extension requests to eplans@honolulu.gov.

Coastal, grading and erosion control rules

Special Management Area

On Oʻahu the SMA permit authority is the Honolulu City Council, and DPP’s Land Use Permits Division processes SMA and shoreline permits. A Minor SMA Permit covers SMA development valued up to $500,000; anything above needs a Major SMA Permit.

Erosion and sediment control

Erosion and sediment control plans (ESCP) for small building-permit projects are reviewed and inspected by the NPDES Branch of DPP’s Building Division. Homeowners can act as their own ESCP Coordinator after taking the certification course.

How to get a building permit in Honolulu County

Inspections in Honolulu County

Only the contractor who signed the building permit may call the inspector named on it; building inspection calls go to (808) 768-3185. Electricians fax the Electrical Inspection Request Form to (808) 768-6007 for Honolulu or (808) 768-3192 for Kapolei.

To start work before the permit is issued, at the applicant’s risk (ROH Sec. 18-3.1(c)), request a Special Assignment Inspection: deliver the request form, a $1,000.00 check and current plans to 650 S. King Street, 12th Floor.

Official Honolulu County permitting resources

These are the primary sources behind this guide. Codes, fee schedules and procedures change — confirm the position for your filing date.

• Honolulu DPP and HNL Build
• Honolulu DPP contacts
• DPP CivCheck requirement
• DPP building permit fee calculation
• DPP building permit FAQ
• DPP building inspections
• DPP FEMA flood map information
• State SMA permits
• DPP Site Development Division
• DPP storm water quality

Frequently asked questions

Which DPP division reviews a house permit?

The Customer Service Division, (808) 768-8220, for single-family, two-family and duplex homes and their accessory structures.

Is CivCheck required?

From September 1, 2026, for new homes, additions and alterations to single-family, two-family and duplex homes, and for ADUs and ʻOhana units.

When does an unissued application expire?

365 days after plan review fees are paid, under ROH Section 18-6.4, unless the building official extends it.

Simplify Honolulu County permitting with Alliance Permitting

• Check the June 10, 2026 flood zone and SMA status before design is fixed
• Complete CivCheck and file the application and zoning approvals in HNL Build
• Track plan review, the 365-day window and the inspection requests

Alliance Permitting is a permit documentation and submission company in Hawaii. We prepare your paperwork, file it correctly and coordinate with the permitting authority through issuance. We are not a contractor and we do not perform licensed plan review or inspections; that work stays with your licensed team and the jurisdiction.

This guide is provided by Alliance Permitting for general information about Honolulu County permitting. Requirements, fees, and procedures change; confirm details with the permitting authority before relying on them.