Maui County, HI Environmental Rules: Flood Zones (2026)

050 sets the permitting gateway: no development can start in a special flood hazard area, flood-related erosion hazard area, or mudslide area without a permit issued by the director of public works. The application must be made on forms the director furnishes, with plans showing the nature, location, dimensions and elevation of the site, existing or proposed structures, fill, stockpiles and drainage facilities, proposed lowest-floor elevation relative to mean sea level, any proposed floodproofing elevation, required engineer certifications, and a description of any watercourse alteration.

040 defines the four special flood hazard categories the permit gate applies to: floodway areas (zone AEF), flood fringe areas (zones AE, AH, AO), coastal high hazard areas (zones V, VE) and general floodplain areas (zones A, D, V), all keyed to the FEMA flood insurance rate map effective September 25, 2009, and later revisions kept on file at Public Works. The director reviews every application to confirm the site is reasonably safe from flooding, that cumulative development will not raise the base flood water surface elevation, and that other required federal or state permits, including Clean Water Act section 404 approvals, are in hand.

Application fees are waived for County agencies and for homes being rebuilt in the burn zone of the August 2023 Lahaina wildfire; other applicants pay the fee set in the annual budget ordinance.