Special Management Area (SMA) — Coastal Zone, HI - 2026 Building Permit Guide

Permit Authority

Office hours: Monday–Friday, 7:45 AM–4:30 PM

Department

Department of Planning and Permitting (DPP), City and County of Honolulu — Coastal Permits Division

Address

Frank F. Fasi Municipal Building, 650 South King Street, Honolulu, HI 96813

Phone

(808) 768-8015 (SMA permits)

Email

dpp@honolulu.gov

Website

https://www.honolulu.gov/dpp/permitting/coastal-area-permits/

Online Permit Portal

Application Process

1. Confirm property is within SMA boundary (check with DPP or Honolulu GIS system at https://www.honolulugis.org/)
2. Determine whether project qualifies for SMA Minor or requires SMA Major review based on valuation and environmental impact
3. For SMA Minor: Submit completed SMA Minor application to DPP with all required supporting documents and plans
4. Pay initial review fee of $200 (non-refundable)
5. DPP reviews application and renders decision within 45 days of receiving completed application
6. If approved, pay processing fee of $1,200 before proceeding
7. Proceed with DPP building permit application (SMA approval is prerequisite or concurrent requirement)
8. For SMA Major: Submit SMA Major application to DPP with all required documents
9. DPP reviews application and schedules public hearing no less than 21 and no more than 60 calendar days after application acceptance
10. DPP transmits findings and recommendation to Honolulu City Council within 45 calendar days of public hearing
11. Honolulu City Council approves or denies application within 60 calendar days of receiving DPP recommendation
12. If approved, proceed with DPP building permit application

Source: Department of Planning and Permitting (DPP), City and County of Honolulu — Coastal Permits Division

General Requirements

Work That Does NOT Require a Permit

• Construction or reconstruction of up to 2 dwellings with less than 7,500 sq ft of floor area on non-shoreline lots, not in flood zones V or VE, and not susceptible to 0.5 feet of sea level rise per Hawaii Sea Level Rise Viewer
• Additions of minor accessory structures up to 300 sq ft to existing dwellings meeting above conditions
• Maintenance and repair that does not change intensity or character of use
• Emergency repairs as defined in ROH Chapter 25
• Other exemptions defined in ROH Chapter 25 and HRS Section 205A

Inspections

How to Schedule

Additional Resources

• License lookup guide: Hawaii Contractor License Requirements
• Contract template: Hawaii Homeowner-Contractor Agreement
• Hawaii hub: Hawaii Contractor License & Permit Hub

Frequently Asked Questions

Special Management Area (SMA) — Coastal Zone Building Permit FAQ

How do I apply for a building permit in Special Management Area (SMA) — Coastal Zone, HI?

1. Confirm property is within SMA boundary (check with DPP or Honolulu GIS system at https://www.honolulugis.org/) 2. Determine whether project qualifies for SMA Minor or requires SMA Major review based on valuation and environmental impact 3. For SMA Minor: Submit completed SMA Minor application to DPP with all required supporting documents and plans 4. Pay initial review fee of $200 (non-refundable) 5. DPP reviews application and renders decision within 45 days of receiving completed application 6. If approved, pay processing fee of $1,200 before proceeding 7. Proceed with DPP building permit application (SMA approval is prerequisite or concurrent requirement) 8. For SMA Major: Submit SMA Major application to DPP with all required documents 9. DPP reviews application and schedules public hearing no less than 21 and no more than 60 calendar days after application acceptance 10. DPP transmits findings and recommendation to Honolulu City Council within 45 calendar days of public hearing 11. Honolulu City Council approves or denies application within 60 calendar days of receiving DPP recommendation 12. If approved, proceed with DPP building permit application

What work is exempt from building permits in Special Management Area (SMA) — Coastal Zone, HI?

The following work is generally exempt: Construction or reconstruction of up to 2 dwellings with less than 7,500 sq ft of floor area on non-shoreline lots, not in flood zones V or VE, and not susceptible to 0.5 feet of sea level rise per Hawaii Sea Level Rise Viewer; Additions of minor accessory structures up to 300 sq ft to existing dwellings meeting above conditions; Maintenance and repair that does not change intensity or character of use; Emergency repairs as defined in ROH Chapter 25; Other exemptions defined in ROH Chapter 25 and HRS Section 205A.