Honolulu County, HI Environmental Rules: Erosion Control (2026)
Key Facts
- Plan review fee
- $250
- Revision review fee
- $100
- Unapproved start fee
- Double the fee
- Enforcing agency
- Dept. of Planning and Permitting
Summary
Honolulu requires an approved erosion and sediment control plan for any land-disturbing activity needing a building, grading, stockpiling, or trenching permit.
Notwithstanding any other law to the contrary, it is unlawful for any person to perform, participate in, or allow any development or land disturbing activity that requires a building permit, grading permit, stockpiling permit, or trenching permit without an erosion and sediment control plan that is approved the director.
(b) All development and land disturbing activities that require a building permit, grading permit, stockpiling permit, or trenching permit must be performed in compliance with erosion and sediment control plan approved by the director. All project sites subject to an erosion and sediment control plan must be maintained in compliance with the erosion and sediment control plan approved by the director.
(c) Erosion and sediment control plans approved by the director must effectively prohibit the discharge of pollutants from construction sites and land disturbing activities to the municipal separate storm sewer system and State waters to the maximum extent practicable. The director may condition the approval of an erosion and sediment control plan on the implementation and maintenance of any best management practices that are intended or designed to address erosion control, run-on control, run-off control, sediment control, pollution control, post-construction pollutant control, low impact development standard or objectives, and water quality.
(d) Before accepting an erosion and sediment control plan for review, the
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
It is unlawful to perform or allow any development or land-disturbing activity requiring a building, grading, stockpiling, or trenching permit without an erosion and sediment control plan approved by the Director of Planning and Permitting. Plans must prohibit pollutant discharge to the storm sewer system and state waters to the maximum extent practicable, and the Director can condition approval on specific best management practices. A $250 plan review fee applies, with a $100 fee for required revisions, and a doubled fee if work starts before plan approval.
Violations & Fines
Starting work without an approved erosion and sediment control plan is unlawful under ROH § 18A-1.6(a); the Director can require corrective BMPs and collect doubled review fees for unauthorized starts.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need an erosion control plan for a Honolulu construction project?
What happens if I start grading before the plan is approved?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Honolulu County
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