Panel Permits: East Honolulu vs Kailua
How do panel permits rules compare between East Honolulu, HI and Kailua, HI?
East Honolulu and Kailua have similar restriction levels.
East Honolulu, HI
Honolulu County
East Honolulu homeowners in Hawaii Kai, Aina Haina, and Portlock can use ROH Sec. 18-5.10 expedited permitting for residential solar PV systems up to 20kW.
View full East Honolulu rules →Kailua, HI
Honolulu County
Kailua homeowners installing rooftop PV qualify for expedited permits under ROH Sec. 18-5.10; new homes must include solar-ready capacity for a 5kW AC array.
View full Kailua rules →Key Facts Comparison
| Fact | East Honolulu | Kailua |
|---|---|---|
| Code | ROH Sec. 18-5.10 | ROH Sec. 18-5.10 |
| Expedited threshold | Up to 20kW residential | - |
| Solar readiness | Building Code Sec. R408 | - |
| State reference | HRS Sec. 269-101 to 111 | HRS Sec. 269-101 et seq. |
| Expedited | - | Clean energy projects |
| Solar-ready | - | Building Code Sec. R408 |
Highlighted rows indicate differences between cities.
East Honolulu FAQ
Is solar permitting faster in East Honolulu?
Yes. Qualifying residential PV up to 20kW uses expedited review under ROH Sec. 18-5.10, typically reducing wait times for Hawaii Kai homeowners.
Does my new Hawaii Kai home need to be solar-ready?
Yes. Honolulu Building Code Sec. R408 reserves space for a 5kW AC PV array on new single- and two-family dwellings.
Kailua FAQ
How fast is the expedited permit in Kailua?
Qualifying residential PV often clears within days through DPP's expedited clean energy process, subject to plan completeness and any structural review.
Do new Kailua homes need solar?
The Building Code requires new dwellings to reserve capacity for a 5 kW AC PV system. Actual panel installation is encouraged but not mandated statewide.
Compare other topics
See how East Honolulu and Kailua compare on other ordinance categories.
Want to add a third city?
Use our full comparison tool to compare up to three cities.
Open Comparison Tool