Flood Zones: East Honolulu vs Honolulu
How do flood zones rules compare between East Honolulu, HI and Honolulu, HI?
East Honolulu and Honolulu have similar restriction levels.
East Honolulu, HI
Honolulu County
Development in East Honolulu's FEMA-mapped flood zones falls under ROH Chapter 21A, which governs special flood hazard areas, flood fringe elevation standards, and flood variance procedures.
View full East Honolulu rules →Honolulu, HI
Honolulu County
Honolulu enforces FEMA flood zone construction standards under ROH chapter 21A and uses the city's Sea Level Rise Vulnerability Viewer to guide permits in low-lying coastal neighborhoods.
View full Honolulu rules →Key Facts Comparison
| Fact | East Honolulu | Honolulu |
|---|---|---|
| - | - | |
| Local code | - | ROH Chapter 21A |
| Substantial improvement | - | 50 percent of value |
| Required document | - | Elevation Certificate |
| Map source | - | FEMA plus state SLR viewer |
| Permit agency | - | Honolulu DPP |
Highlighted rows indicate differences between cities.
East Honolulu FAQ
How do I know if my Aina Haina home is in a flood zone?
Check the FEMA Flood Insurance Rate Maps adopted under Sec. 21A-1.5 through the city's GIS or the FEMA map service center to determine your property's flood zone designation.
What elevation must new construction meet?
Under Sec. 21A-1.8, new construction in the flood fringe must be elevated to or above base flood elevation, with specific requirements depending on the flood zone designation.
Honolulu FAQ
How do I check if my Oahu property is in a flood zone?
Use the city's online flood hazard map and the State of Hawaii Sea Level Rise Viewer. DPP can also issue a written flood zone determination based on the current FEMA panels.
Does sea level rise affect my permit today?
Honolulu has begun incorporating sea level rise data into shoreline setback and SMA reviews, and freeboard above base flood elevation is strongly encouraged for new oceanfront construction.
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