Learn About and Apply for Trenching Permits
Criteria
A trenching permit from the City & County of Honolulu is required when excavating, breaking, digging, disturbing, or undermining any city highways, streets, thoroughfares, alley or sidewalk, including streets or roads that are city maintained, but privately owned. All work done within the City’s right-of-way are required to comply with the Standard Details for Public Works Construction. Trenching is regulated by ROH Chapter 14.
A trenching permit is not required if the work is for construction, repair or alteration of sidewalk, curb, or driveways for which a building permit is obtained; or for the installation of private utilities on private properties; or for work by the city road division for routine maintenance, repair or resurfacing, provided the work does not require excavating below the sub-base course.
Excavation in public highways under State jurisdiction requires a permit from the State Department of Transportation.
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Resources
- Trenching Ordinance (ROH 14)
- Grading Ordinance (ROH 18A)
- DPP Engineering Policy Memorandums
- Trenching Notes
- Trenching Permit Procedures
- ESCP Certification Training
- SDD Construction Notes
- Grading Notes
- Grubbing Notes
- Stockpiling Notes
- Grading Permit Procedures
- Grading, Grubbing, and Stockpiling Fee and Bond Schedule
- Trenching Fee and Bond Schedule
- Letter of Credit Procedures
- Blanket Insurance sample
- Site Specific Insurance sample
- Trenching Insurance Schedule
- Official Street Tree List
- Street Tree Standards
- Standard Details for Public Works Construction
- Standard Specifications for Public Works Construction
- Storm Drainage Standards
Supplemental Forms
- Appendix A, designation of ESCP coordinator and/or CWPPP
- Declaration of Covenant for Slide Lots(Indemnification Form)
- Grading Permit Deferral Agreement
- Grading Schedule Sample
- Stockpiling Purpose of Work
- Surface Runoff Form
- Trenching Permit Deferral Agreement
- Trenching Schedule Sample
- Trenching Restoration Sample
- Storm Water Quality Forms (all)
- Trenching Bond form
- Grading Bond form
- Security Check in Lieu of Bond form
- Letter of Credit procedures
- Utility Clearances for existing trees
- Street Tree Standards
- Official Street Tree List
- Standard Detail R-28 (refer to Note A.2)
- Letter of Authorization
Frequently Asked Questions
What should my trenching plans have?
Prepare a plan that includes the following information:
- Description of the proposed underground installation
- Location map, address, and tax map key (TMK) of site
- Street names (including state, city, or private ownership)
- Property lines
- Existing sidewalk, ground cover, planter strips, utilities etc.
- North arrow and scale
- An Erosion and Sediment Control Plan, unless project is ‘Minor Development’
- Appropriate clearance from City drainage infrastructure
- One-foot (1′) minimum horizontal clearance
- Six-inch (6″) minimum vertical clearance
- Include profiles for any such crossings
- Trench dimensions and proposed utilities
- Including location of each proposed excavation and dimensions showing the length, width, and depth, including the surface area of said opening in paving, sidewalk, and other structures.
- Restoration detail(s) for City sidewalks and/or roadways. See sample details.
- Plans should generally be 24″ × 36″, but smaller may be acceptable, provided the plans are still clearly legible. Lettering should be at least 13 point font size.
Who will review my plans?
Minor projects may be submitted for review at our counter on the ground floor in the permitting center. Larger projects proposing excavation across more than one city block or which includes frontage improvements (i.e. new sidewalk, curb, gutter, curb ramps, catch basins) requires formal plan review and approval. Plans for formal plan review and approval are submitted to our Subdivision Branch (768-8100) on the 8th floor prior to application for permit. See the SDD plan submittal requirements for more information regarding formal plan review.
What documentation do I need to submit?
Visit the civil engineering counter in the permitting center and submit the following:
- Completed application(opens in a new tab) including the utility clearances on page 2.
- Additional clearance from the Department of Facility Maintenance is required when trenching more than 200 lineal feet.
- ALL clearances are required before submission of application. Applications without required clearances will be rejected and returned to the applicant.
- Designation of certified ESCP coordinator on Appendix A(opens in a new tab) form unless project is Minor Development
- One hard copy set of the approved/reviewed plans with Erosion and Sediment Control Plan (ESCP)
- Permit fee, if applicable
- ESCP Review fee, if applicable
- Bonding, or other form of surety, if applicable
- Proof of insurance (unless already submitted under separate cover)
- The City and County of Honolulu must be named as additional insured and the minimum coverage shall be $100,000 for property damage per occurrence and $500,000 for injury or death. See section on insurance information.
- Simple construction schedule (example)
What is a “utility clearance”?
A utility clearance is review by a utility agency for any conflicts between the proposed work and the utility with an outcome of ‘no apparent conflict’. A clearance is indicated by a signature on the DPP’s Site Development Division Master Application Form (Trenching Permit Application Form) from an authorized agency staffer. The agency will review your project for possible conflicts with their utilities. If any agency requires special conditions to provide their clearance, the City is not party to any such agreement. The utility clearance process is intended to reduce utility conflicts in the field, but is not a guarantee of no conflicts. The signature indicates the signing agency has reviewed the project and is amenable to allowing the project to proceed. The first eight listed agency clearances are always required. Projects trenching more than 200 lineal feet require additional clearance from the Department of Facilities Maintenance, Division of Road Maintenance. Submitted utility clearances must be less than one year old at time of submission for permitting. Utility clearances are required in accordance with ROH §14-2.1(c)(2).
Renewing a trenching permit
Trenching permits expire one year after the date of issue and needs to be renewed if work is not complete before the expiration date.
To renew, submit:
- a signed application
- permit fee, if applicable
- Appendix A, unless project is Minor Development
New utility clearances are required if work was not started under the original permit or if the plans have been revised.
Closing a trenching permit
What type of HNL BUILD account is required for permit applications when a contractor is involved?
For any permit application that involves a contractor, the contractor performing the work is required to have a dedicated HNL Build Customer Portal account registered under their business name. This ensures all contractor-related permit activities are managed efficiently and correctly within a centralized system.
When should I submit a "Construction Plan Job" versus an "over-the-counter" application?
The submission method depends on the scope and complexity of your project. “Construction Plan Job” submissions are generally required for larger projects, specifically those categorized as Category 4 and 5. For smaller, less complex projects, an “over-the-counter” application may be appropriate. Please refer to our detailed project category guidelines in the Rules Relating to Water Quality for specific definitions.
When is the appropriate time to submit a Trenching Permit (TP)?
Trenching Permits (TP) should only be submitted after all necessary clearances have been officially obtained. Ensuring all prerequisites are met beforehand will help expedite the processing of your Trenching Permit.
How do I renew my permit, and where should I list the renewal number?
To renew your permit, you will need to insert your renewal number into the ‘purpose of work’ text field during the application process. Please be aware that while you can input the number here, any linking functionality associated with this text field will not be active.
Where should I reference my Construction Plan (CP) Job number?
When completing your application, please insert your Construction Plan (CP) Job number directly into the ‘purpose of work’ text field. Kindly note that any attempted linking through this field will not function as expected.
What if I have already paid the ESCP Review Fee?
The ESCP Review Fee is paid once. If you are unsure whether the ESCP Review Fee has already been paid or applies, do not pay and proceed with the permit submittal.
The ESCP Review Fee is already paid when:
- The project is reviewed under a Construction Plan (CP) review or a building permit
- The ESCP fee was paid under a previous permit
- The project is a City project (grading work is on behalf of the City)
For assistance, please contact CEB staff for Grading Permits at DPPCivilEngineering@honolulu.gov
Kindly include the following with your inquiry:
- Your newly submitted permit/application #, and
- The original reference # (or permit #) where the ESCP fee was paid
Who do I ask if I have questions that aren't answered above?
Email DppCivilEngineering@honolulu.gov for the most prompt response. Please include any photos if relevant to your question.
You can contact our Site Development Division staff at 768-8218.
Where do I find standard details or standard specifications?
See the Municipal Reference Center’s Standards and Best Practices. Call Site Development Division staff at 768-8218 with questions regarding standard details and/or standard specifications.