Department of Planning and Permitting

Approval of an SMA Minor Permit is determined by the Director of DPP when development has a valuation which is not in excess of $500,000 for shoreline lots, or $750,000 for non-shoreline lots, and which has no substantial adverse environmental or ecological effect on SMA resources, taking into account potential cumulative effects. See ROH § 25-5.2.  Note:  Projects with a valuation in excess of $500,000.00 or which may have substantial adverse or cumulative effects must be processed as an SMA Major Permit.

While preparing a Minor SMA Permit, please use our fillable PDF.  The below is a summarized version of instruction.  There is a checklist to confirm that the application is complete.

Do I need a Special Management Area Permit?

An SMA permit is required for “development,” which includes any construction, grading, or change in the intensity of the use of land, with certain exceptions. Generally, those exemptions include:

• Construction or reconstruction of up to 2 dwellings with less than 7,500 square feet of floor area that are not situated on a shoreline lot, not within flood zones V or VE, and not susceptible to 0.5 feet of sea level rise as shown on the Hawaii Sea Level Rise Viewer;
• Additions of minor accessory structures (up to 300 square feet) to existing dwellings;
• Relocating a dwelling unit to an area less susceptible to coastal hazards;
• Repair, maintenance, or interior alterations;
• Demolition (unless at a historic site); and
• Agricultural uses.

Still not sure?

If you aren’t sure whether an SMA permit is required, you can submit a  SMA Permit Determination request form under Coastal Permits in HNL Build. 

How do I apply for a Minor SMA Permit?

1. Environmental Review

Hawaii Revised Statutes (HRS) Chapter 343 Environmental Disclosure Documentation

If the Project requires environmental disclosure documentation under HRS Chapter 343, a complete application for an SMA Minor Permit must contain documentation that the potential environmental impacts associated have been evaluated and publicly disclosed in accordance with the regulations and guidelines published by the Office of Planning and Sustainable Development, Environmental Review Program. Documentation may include an HRS Chapter 343 exemption notice, published a Final Environmental Assessment (EA) and Finding of No Significant Impact, or a published Final Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) and Notice of Acceptance from the accepting authority.  This documentation should be uploaded into the “Environmental Documentation” tab on HNL Build.

• If the DPP is going to be the accepting authority for an action that is exempt under Hawaii Administrative Rules § 11-200.1-15, and an exemption notice is requested, this should be specified in the SMA Minor Permit Application.
• If the DPP is going to be the accepting agency for an EA or EIS,  please note a fee is required, outlined in ROH § 26-1.12 and ROH § 25-5.4 (to be determined based upon if and what type of other land use permits may be required for the proposed action). 

Note:  If the project involves a prior EA or EIS upon which an exemption from the requirements of HRS Chapter 343 was based, and the Applicant does not anticipate that a supplemental assessment is necessary, then the Applicant must provide its written justifications explaining how the project has not substantially changed in size, scope, intensity, use, location, timing, or other means; or, if it has substantially changed, then how the change(s) do not involve significant effects.

2. Apply

• A review fee of $200 (this is a non-refundable fee to review whether the application is complete); and
• A processing fee of $1,200 (this is returned if the application is incomplete).

Checks or money orders that are more than 3 months (90 days) old will not be accepted. There is no fee for City agencies.

The fees are doubled when an applicant applies for a permit after being cited for taking action without obtaining necessary approvals.

If paying by check or money order, mail or drop off fee payments to the

Department of Planning and Permitting
650 South King Street, 7th Floor
Honolulu, HI 96813

4. Review

The DPP will notify the applicant within 10 working days of the completed application submission the status of the application  (i.e. application is accepted or determined to be incomplete).  Within 45 days from the receipt of the completed application, DPP renders a decision.

5. Decision

The development project is approved or denied a Minor SMA permit. Decisions are communicated via HNL Build to the email address provided.

Any party wishing to appeal the Director’s action must submit a written request for a contested case hearing to the DPP within 30 calendar days from the date of mailing, personal service, or publication of the action of the Director. Contested case hearings are conducted pursuant to the Administrative Rules for Shoreline Setbacks and the Special Management Area (Title 20, Chapter 31).