Department of Planning and Permitting

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Department of Planning and Permitting

Ka ʻOihana Hoʻolālā A Me Nā Palapala ʻAe

Building Permits

Permit Process Improvements

Below are recent changes to the building permit process.

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Permit Process Updates

Updates to Advisories and Warnings on TMKs

The DPP recently made adjustments in the permitting system that have minimized most advisories from denying instant online building permits. Please see the article for more information.

Special Assignment Inspection Application Revised Forms and Available

The DPP recently reviewed and revised the SAI Application for conformity with the authorizing ordinance. The revised version can be submitted for consideration and approval.

BP Application Expiration/Extension Email Notice

Building permit applicants may receive an email notification that their building permit application is either beyond the 365 day or within 30 days of reaching the 365 day expiration date pursuant to Revised Ordinances of Honolulu Sec. 18-6.4.  If you receive such an email, you may email DPP at eplans@honolulu.gov to request an extension, which should include your name, the project address, building permit application number and justification for an extension.

Certificate-Based Digital Signatures

DPP will now accept certificate-based digital signatures in addition to wet signatures. Please see the article for more information.

Permit Tips

Get a Building Permit without Plans
Depending on your location and scope of work, you may not need a plans.
Learn How
Do I need a Flood Certification?
Is my project in the flood?
Determine Project's Flood Zone
Enter your TMK into the property search
Click Here
Flood Zone
The parcel's flood zone will be listed.
Flood Zone Designation
Any zone not listed as X, XS or D is located in a flood zone and flood certification may be required.

Building Permit Plan Format Checklist

Minimum Upload Requirements

During the upload process you will receive an error and file will not be uploaded if you do not meet these requirements. (ePlans will notify why the plan was rejected for upload.)

  • File Information
    • Files are PDFs.
    • Minimum page/sheet size of 36″ x 24″
    • One sheet per file
    • Sheet orientation is landscape.
  • Sheet Numbering
    • A title sheet shall be identified as 000 or 001.
    • Other sheets shall have a maximum two alpha characters and shall have 3 numberical numbers (e.g. A### or AA###)
  • File naming standard.
    • Format: Provide the sheet number then *space*-*space* ( – ) followed by a short description of the drawing.
    • Maximum of 45 characters (inclusive of .pdf)
    • No special characters such as: !@#$%^&*()”?/|\=+,'<>:;
    • Acceptable special characters are: hypen (-), underscore (_) and period/decimal (.)

Manual Prescreen Items

The following items are checked to ensure proper formatting to ensure project location, scope of work, plan quality for retention of drawings and a smoother review process.

Plan Scale
Plans shall be drawn to scale so that examiners are able to visualize the space with the proposed spatial relations and determine code compliance.
Text Height
Provide a minimum of 1/8" height for text and symbols for legibility.
Drawing Scale
Ensure that all drawings and details are drawn to the scale indicated. Standard architectural and engineering scales shall be used.
Graphic Scale
All sheets shall be provided with a graphic scale(s) which match the scales indicated in the drawing. The following slides show examples
Sheet Index
The sheet index is required to ensure that the entire plan set is uploaded for review.
DPP Approval Stamp Space
This location is reserved for the City and County of Honolulu approval stamp when plans are batch stamped approved to issue. Anything located in this area will be covered.
Size and Location
5.75" W x 3.75" H at the top right edge of each sheet. This area must remain completely clean and not contain any borders, lines, smudges, specks, spots, logos, drawings details, etc.
Sample of Approved Stamp
Sample of Rejections
The next set of slides are samples of reasons prescreen will be rejected.
Content from the Border
Border Information
Extraneous Words
Photos
Color
Fully colored plans are not allowed. If photos are provided, they shall be for reference only as when printed in grayscale, the photo may not be legible.
Title Block
The title block and location information ensure that the plans provided match what was applied for.
Location of Title Block
The title block shall be located on each uploaded drawing. This ensures that each sheet is a part of the same set.
What Should Be Included?
Provide the project name/owner, project address as recorded by DPP, TMK(s), and a brief project description.
Sample
Complete Plot Plan
A complete plot plan is required per ROH 18-4.3 to indicate the exact location of work.
What is a plot plan?
The following slides explains each element of a plot plan.
Entire Parcel or Property with Street Names
This consists of the plat map which identifies the project's parcel location and lot dimensions. (Note project may be be located in multiple parcels)
Get Your Plat Map
Driveway Apron
Indicates access to the property from the public right-of-way. (Provide existing and proposed drivieways)
Offsite Utilties and Sidewalk Infrastructure
Indicates utility service to the property and other public unities that may be affected by the work for routing purposes..
All Permitted Structures with Addresses and Location of Work
This clearly identifies the location of work on the parcel and other structures that may be affected.
Building and Yard Setbacks
These setbacks verify the required fire separation and required land use areas are met per code.
Easements
Serves as a reminder that no work shall be done in the easement unless the approval is provided by the easement user. (Routing of plans is required.)
Sample of Plot Plan Elements
Link to a photo of all plot plan elements described.
View Sample

Common Errors/Issues with Plan Submittals

For incomplete plans or any of the items missing items as noted below,  can result in delays or even rejection of the application.

ePlans Required:

  1. Page size: 36” x 24”
  2. Landscape orientation
  3. All sheets are the same size
  4. Each sheet is its own file

Pending/TBD:

  1. Must meet file naming standard
  2. Must meet sheet numbering standard

Manual DPP Review:

  1. DPP Approval Stamp Space
  2. Color (requirement was removed and changed to allow color)
  3. Scale
  4. Index
  5. Title Block
  6. Complete Plot Plan
  7. Drawing Revisions
  1. ESCP: Checklist Option (Appendix B) (37% error rate):
    • Missing Appendix B form
    • Lack of explanation for Best Management Practices (BMPs) marked as “will not use”
  2. ESCP: BMP Site Diagram (42% error rate in stormwater-only reviews):
    • Omission of “will-use” BMPs on the ESCP Site Diagram, despite being listed in Appendix B

Residential Storm Water Management Plan / Impervious Surface Area (ISA) (63% error rate):

  1. Discrepancies in ISA calculations across different documents (Site Plan, Attachment A, Google Map view)
  2. Missing or incomplete Appendix G1 form
  3. Inconsistencies between ISA values on Appendix G1 and RSWMP notes
  4. Failure to include all impervious surfaces in ISA measurements
  1. Elevations
  2. Window/door details
  3. Dimensions
  4. Area calculations
  5. Building envelope
  6. Room labels
  7. Carbon Monoxide Alarms (58% error rate):
    • Frequent omission in dwellings with attached garages, a critical safety oversight
  8. Floor Area Ratio (FAR) Calculation
  9. Energy Code Compliance Block (43% error rate):
    • Incorrect references to outdated code editions
    • Complete absence of energy blocks on permit plans
  10. Natural Light & Ventilation Notes (35% error rate):
    • Absence of required light and ventilation notations
    • Failure to specify rooms with mechanical ventilation
  11. Bathrooms: Shower Clearance (28% error rate):
    • Missing dimensions on floor plans for shower clearance
    • Incorrect dimensions: common mistake of swapping the required 24″ perpendicular and 30″ parallel clearances
  12. Outlet Locations (27% error rate):
    • Failure to show outlet locations for countertops and near bathroom sinks on interior elevation
  1. Duplicate sheets on resubmittals.
  2. Changemarks not addressed.
  3. Incorrect IBC edition listed.
  4. Missing building code analysis.
  5. Separating LUO data from building code data.
  6. Missing special inspection listing.
  7. ADAAG Compliance Statements.
  8. Make sure to research, know the existing type of construction and allowable use.
  1. Approval request letter for Alternative Engineered Design required for single stack and site plumbing utilities.
  2. Certificate based digital signatures.
  3. Comments not addressed completely and/or missing response describing correction.
  4. Duplicate sheets (e.g. same sheet numbers with different description)- sheet file names required to be exactly the same as previous version to be replaced.
  5. Vector (not raster) type files required.
  6. Scope of work is not clear or consistent (existing conditions are not clearly shown, plans are not coordinated,…).
  7. Non-compliant fire sprinkler coverage, e.g. spacing distances and/or obstructions.
  8. Suds zone clearance requirements not met.
  9. Inadequate plumbing aggregate vent pipe sizing.
  10. Missing gutters/roof drains.
  11. Non-compliant cleanout locations/clearances.
  1. Pay all plan review fees [ROH 18-6.1]
  2. No duplicate sheets, especially on resubmittals [ROH 18-4.3(a)]
  3. Sign and stamp drawings when required [HRS 464-13] or provide full plan maker name when not provided (not just initials) [ROH 18-4.3]
  4. Digital signature shall comply with DPP website for certified-based digital signature  [HAR 16-115(9)]
  5. Clear all change marks when resubmitting in eplans [policy but also ROH 18-4.3(a)]
  6. The drawing index should match the actual sheets which are submitted [ROH 18-4.3(a)]
  7. Re-routed applications should have a response from the design professional which clearing identify the corrective action.  Not a response like “complied”.
  8. A complete plot plan, which indicates all structures on the property.  Maybe add easements. [policy but also ROH 18-4.1(2)]
  9. Identify the correct plot plan and all additional parcels, i.e. joint development, etc. [ROH 18-4.1(2)/(3)]
  10. Identify the phases of work at time of application as required by ROH 18 [ROH 18-4.1(7)(D)]
  11. WOW idea, a separate sheet should be submitted for electrical work, plumbing work, fire alarm work, etc.
  12. Electrical load calculation for new electrical services and when additional loads are added to the existing service (NEC 220)
  13. Identify all symbols and abbreviations.

Documents Required for Permit Application

Please use the chart below to determine what documents are required. For specific code section, refer to the ordinances page.

Ensure all the documents are uploaded in the documents folder prior to plan submission. If not all documents are provided, prescreen will be rejected.

Note: Examiners may ask for additional documents or forms during plan review.

DocumentAll Building PermitsSign PermitEntire Structure DemolitionADU/
Ohana		ROH 32 (Bill 7/Ord. 19-8)New Single/Two-Family DwellingAlteration to Single/Two-Family Dwelling
OTR-60 [ROH18-5.9] (as applicable)XXXX
TPR Certification Form (as applicable)XXXXX
Flood Documents (Refer to Flood Section in Forms) (as applicable)XXXXX
Public Facilities Pre-Check Form (Approved Version)ADU
Ohana
Sign Permit WorksheetX
Swimming Pool Fence Letter (as applicable)XX
Topographic Survey (included with drawings for new structures/additions with lot elevation difference of at least 5' or more and areas with drainage issues) [ROH 18-4.1(11)]XXXX
Plan Review Fee [ROH 18-6.1] (as applicable)XXXOhanaFor Commercial AreasXX

Documents Required for Permit Issuance

Please use the chart below to determine what documents are required.

DocumentAll Building PermitsSign PermitEntire Structure DemoltionADU/OhanaROH 32 (Bill 7/Ord. 19-8)New Single/Two-Family DwellingAlteration to Single/Two-Family Dwelling
Contractor's StatementXXXXXXX
Supplemental Information SheetXXXXXXX
Statement of Acknowledgement of Special Inspections (as applicable)XXXXX
Building Permit Fee [ROH 18-6.2] (as applicable)XXXOhanaFor Commercial AreasXX

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Questions

Please refer to the FAQ. For particular questions about your application, call 808-768-8000 or email eplans@honolulu.gov.

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