Honolulu County, HI Building Safety: Building Inspections (2026)
Key Facts
- Adopting statute
- ROH § 16-1.1, adopts 2018 IBC
- Elevation check
- IBC § 110.3.3, flood zones only
- Lath/gypsum check
- IBC § 110.3.5, before plastering
- Special inspections
- Must be listed on plans, § 110.3.10
- Final inspection
- Required before certificate of occupancy
- Appeal body
- 9-member Building Board of Appeals
Summary
Honolulu adopts the 2018 International Building Code by reference under ROH § 16-1.1 and rewrites its inspection article to require five checkpoints for any permitted project: flood-zone elevation, lath/gypsum board, special inspections listed on the permit, discretionary spot checks, and a mandatory final inspection before occupancy. Skipping a required stage blocks the certificate of occupancy.
110.3 Required inspections. The building official, upon notification, shall make the inspections set forth in Sections 110.3.3, 110.3.5, 110.3.9, 110.3.10, and 110.3.11 of this code. 110.3.3 Lowest floor elevation. In flood hazard areas, upon placement of the lowest floor... an elevation certification required in Section 1612.4 shall be submitted to the building official. 110.3.5 Lath and/or gypsum board inspection. To be made after all lathing and gypsum board... is in place but before any plastering is applied... 110.3.9 Other inspections. In addition to the inspections specified in Sections 110.3.3 and 110.3.5, the building official is authorized to make or require other inspections... 110.3.10 Special inspections. The submitted plans shall have all special inspections listed as a condition for permit issuance... 110.3.11 Final inspection. A final inspection shall be made after all construction is completed and prior to issuance of a final certificate of occupancy.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: 2026 S-10: Supplement 10, 12-2025 Ordinance No. 25-40 through Ordinance No. 25-56).
Full Breakdown
1 adopts the Hawaii State Building Code, which in turn adopts the 2018 International Building Code, and lists local amendments to Section 110. 11" upon notification from the permit holder. 3 requires an elevation certification in flood hazard areas once the lowest floor is placed and before further vertical construction. 5 requires a lath and gypsum board inspection after all fire-resistive lathing and gypsum board is installed but before plaster is applied or joints are taped (Group U occupancies are exempt). 9 lets the building official order additional inspections of any work to confirm code compliance.
10 requires every special inspection to be listed on the submitted plans as a condition of permit issuance, covering the categories in Sections 110, 919, 1704, 1705, and 1707. 1, and Group U occupancies. A property owner who disputes an inspection-related denial, revocation, or enforcement decision can appeal to the nine-member Building Board of Appeals created under added Section 113, which can reverse, affirm, or modify the building official's decision if the record shows an erroneous finding of fact, arbitrary or capricious action, or a manifest abuse of discretion.
Violations & Fines
Occupying or changing the use of a building before the building official issues the required certificate of occupancy under Section 111.1 is enforced the same as any other unpermitted work under Chapter 18 Article 7: a misdemeanor punishable by up to $2,000 in fines, up to one year of imprisonment, or both, with each day of continued noncompliance treated as a separate offense, and the building official may issue a stop-work order under § 18-7.5 until required inspections are completed and passed.
Frequently Asked Questions
What inspections does Honolulu require during construction?
Can I occupy a new building before the final inspection?
What if I disagree with a Honolulu building inspector's decision?
Are special inspections required on every Honolulu project?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Honolulu County
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