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§ 02
When a permit is required
Permit triggers and exempt work for City and County of Honolulu
Temporary construction sheds and fences associated with a permitted construction project
Reroofing of single-family dwellings (R-3) and utility occupancies (U) where work does not affect structural components
Installation of siding to existing exterior walls of R-3 and U occupancies where work does not affect structural components or fire protection
Temporary tents or coverings for private family parties or camping for 14 consecutive days or less
Temporary tents for commercial purposes erected for up to 3 consecutive days
Fences and planter boxes not exceeding 6 feet in height (not on street corners or in flood zones)
Retaining walls and riprap walls not exceeding 30 inches in height (not on street corners or in flood zones)
Interior remodeling (painting, flooring, cabinets, fixtures) not exceeding $10,000 in valuation within 12 months and not involving electrical, plumbing, or mechanical work
Exterior painting of buildings
Replacement of kitchen cabinets (like-for-like, within valuation limits)
Exterior screen doors for single-family dwellings or residential units
Work on federal property (except when requested by federal agency)
Work performed for government agencies (except when specifically requested)
Minor repairs to sidewalks, curbs, and driveways in public right-of-way
Weather-protected outdoor storage structures meeting size thresholds
- Exempt Temporary construction sheds and fences associated with a permitted construction project
- Exempt Reroofing of single-family dwellings (R-3) and utility occupancies (U) where work does not affect structural components
- Exempt Installation of siding to existing exterior walls of R-3 and U occupancies where work does not affect structural components or fire protection
- Exempt Temporary tents or coverings for private family parties or camping for 14 consecutive days or less
- Exempt Temporary tents for commercial purposes erected for up to 3 consecutive days
- Exempt Fences and planter boxes not exceeding 6 feet in height (not on street corners or in flood zones)
- Exempt Retaining walls and riprap walls not exceeding 30 inches in height (not on street corners or in flood zones)
- Exempt Interior remodeling (painting, flooring, cabinets, fixtures) not exceeding $10,000 in valuation within 12 months and not involving electrical, plumbing, or mechanical work
- Exempt Exterior painting of buildings
- Exempt Replacement of kitchen cabinets (like-for-like, within valuation limits)
- Exempt Exterior screen doors for single-family dwellings or residential units
- Exempt Work on federal property (except when requested by federal agency)
- Exempt Work performed for government agencies (except when specifically requested)
- Exempt Minor repairs to sidewalks, curbs, and driveways in public right-of-way
- Exempt Weather-protected outdoor storage structures meeting size thresholds
§ 03
Application process
Application → plan check → issuance → inspection → final
- 01 Determine permit type: Quick Permit (no plans, eligible simple scopes) or Building Permit with Plans (full review)
- 02 Create account in HNL Build at https://honolulu.my.site.com/s/
- 03 Gather all required documents before starting application (incomplete submittals rejected at prescreen)
- 04 Ensure plans comply with Building Permit Plan Format Checklist (available on DPP website)
- 05 Submit application and documents through HNL Build with project name, owner name, address, Tax Map Key (TMK), and project description
- 06 DPP prescreens application (as little as 5 days as of 2024 improvements); incorrect applications sent back for revision
- 07 If prescreen passes, building examiner and all reviewing agencies (electrical, plumbing, mechanical, fire) conduct concurrent plan review
- 08 If all agencies approve, review coordinator sends final approval to applicant
- 09 If any agency has comments, applicant receives consolidated comments to address
- 10 Applicant addresses comments and resubmits for second review cycle (multiple cycles allowed for standard process)
- 11 Once all agencies approve, submit remaining required documents and pay permit fees through HNL Build
- 12 Permit is issued; post permit at job site before starting work
- 13 Contact appropriate DPP inspector to schedule required inspections throughout construction
- 14 Pass all required inspections; inspector closes permit upon final inspection
- 15 Permit is closed and certificate of occupancy issued where required
- 16 Expedited Option (OTR-60): Available for single/two-family dwellings; 60-day processing if prepared by licensed professional; ineligible for flood certifications, shoreline setbacks, affordable housing, or discretionary land use approvals
Source: Department of Planning and Permitting (DPP), City and County of Honolulu ↗
§ 04
Frequently asked
Common questions about City and County of Honolulu permits
01 How do I apply for a building permit in City and County of Honolulu, HI? ▸
To apply for a building permit in City and County of Honolulu, HI, follow these steps: 1. Determine permit type: Quick Permit (no plans, eligible simple scopes) or Building Permit with Plans (full review) 2. Create account in HNL Build at https://honolulu.my.site.com/s/ 3. Gather all required documents before starting application (incomplete submittals rejected at prescreen) 4. Ensure plans comply with Building Permit Plan Format Checklist (available on DPP website) 5. Submit application and documents through HNL Build with project name, owner name, address, Tax Map Key (TMK), and project description 6. DPP prescreens application (as little as 5 days as of 2024 improvements); incorrect applications sent back for revision 7. If prescreen passes, building examiner and all reviewing agencies (electrical, plumbing, mechanical, fire) conduct concurrent plan review 8. If all agencies approve, review coordinator sends final approval to applicant 9. If any agency has comments, applicant receives consolidated comments to address 10. Applicant addresses comments and resubmits for second review cycle (multiple cycles allowed for standard process) 11. Once all agencies approve, submit remaining required documents and pay permit fees through HNL Build 12. Permit is issued; post permit at job site before starting work 13. Contact appropriate DPP inspector to schedule required inspections throughout construction 14. Pass all required inspections; inspector closes permit upon final inspection 15. Permit is closed and certificate of occupancy issued where required 16. Expedited Option (OTR-60): Available for single/two-family dwellings; 60-day processing if prepared by licensed professional; ineligible for flood certifications, shoreline setbacks, affordable housing, or discretionary land use approvals
02 What work is exempt from building permits in City and County of Honolulu, HI? ▸
Not all construction work requires a permit in City and County of Honolulu, HI. The following work is generally exempt: Temporary construction sheds and fences associated with a permitted construction project; Reroofing of single-family dwellings (R-3) and utility occupancies (U) where work does not affect structural components; Installation of siding to existing exterior walls of R-3 and U occupancies where work does not affect structural components or fire protection; Temporary tents or coverings for private family parties or camping for 14 consecutive days or less; Temporary tents for commercial purposes erected for up to 3 consecutive days; Fences and planter boxes not exceeding 6 feet in height (not on street corners or in flood zones); Retaining walls and riprap walls not exceeding 30 inches in height (not on street corners or in flood zones); Interior remodeling (painting, flooring, cabinets, fixtures) not exceeding $10,000 in valuation within 12 months and not involving electrical, plumbing, or mechanical work; Exterior painting of buildings; Replacement of kitchen cabinets (like-for-like, within valuation limits); Exterior screen doors for single-family dwellings or residential units; Work on federal property (except when requested by federal agency); Work performed for government agencies (except when specifically requested); Minor repairs to sidewalks, curbs, and driveways in public right-of-way; Weather-protected outdoor storage structures meeting size thresholds. When in doubt, confirm with the local building department before starting work.
last verified April 2026
source Department of Planning and Permitting (DPP), City and County of Honolulu ↗
entry id permits/hawaii/honolulu/honolulu-city
Educational reference. Permit rules and fees change — confirm current requirements directly with Department of Planning and Permitting (DPP), City and County of Honolulu before applying. Jaspector is not legal advice.