Building Safety in Hawaii (2026)
20 rules on the books across Hawaii, 3 cities and counties. Select a rule to read the full details.
Severity: Few Restrictions · Light Restrictions · Some Restrictions · Significant Restrictions · Heavy Restrictions
Fire Sprinkler Requirements
When residential and commercial buildings must install fire sprinkler systems, including new-construction triggers and major-renovation thresholds.
Hawaii County
Some RestrictionsHawaii County's amended Building Code requires an automatic sprinkler system throughout every Group R building on the…
Read full rule →Maui County
Some RestrictionsMaui County has no general residential sprinkler mandate, but its Hawaiian Provisions for Indigenous Hawaiian…
Read full rule →Honolulu County
Light RestrictionsNew one- and two-family homes on Oahu only need fire sprinklers when fire department access or water supply falls short…
Read full rule →Childcare Center Rules
Building safety standards specific to family childcare homes and centers, including egress, sprinklers, lead and asbestos clearances, and outdoor play standards.
Hawaii County
Some RestrictionsHawaii County's building code classifies a child care facility serving five or fewer people of any age, for under 24…
Read full rule →Maui County
Few RestrictionsMaui County waives its inspection fee for licensed day care centers across three separate construction codes. When the…
Read full rule →Door Locking Hardware
Code requirements for emergency-egress door hardware, including thumb-turn locks, panic bars, and one-action egress required by the building code.
Green Building Code
CALGreen and equivalent state green building codes, plus reach codes that go further (electric-only new construction, EV-readiness, low-VOC materials).
Carbon Monoxide Detectors
Where CO detectors are required (typically near sleeping areas in homes with fuel-burning appliances or attached garages), and seller/landlord deadlines.
Building Permits
When a building permit is required, new work, renovations, reroofing, decks, the small-project exemptions, and what unpermitted work costs when it surfaces at sale or inspection.
Hawaii County
Some RestrictionsHawai'i County requires a permit before you erect, alter, enlarge, repair, relocate, or demolish any building or…
Read full rule →Honolulu County
Some RestrictionsReroofing on Oahu needs a building permit from Honolulu's Department of Planning and Permitting unless the building is…
Read full rule →Maui County
Some RestrictionsMaui County requires anyone who wants to construct, enlarge, alter, repair, move, demolish or change the use of a…
Read full rule →Electrical Permits
Which electrical work (panel upgrades, EV chargers, solar inverters, sub-panels) requires a licensed-electrician permit vs. an owner-builder permit.
Hawaii County
Some RestrictionsAny electrical work in Hawai'i County, wiring, panel upgrades, new circuits, requires a permit from the Department of…
Read full rule →Honolulu County
Some RestrictionsHonolulu adopted the National Electrical Code, NFPA 70, 2017 edition, as the State Electrical Code effective August 21…
Read full rule →Maui County
Some RestrictionsMaui County requires a permit from the Department of Public Works director before any electrical work begins. The…
Read full rule →Plumbing Permits
Which plumbing work (water heaters, sewer-line replacement, repipe, gas-line) requires a permit, and which minor repairs are typically exempt.
Hawaii County
Some RestrictionsHawai'i County adopts the 2012 Uniform Plumbing Code for every plumbing, gas, and drainage installation on the island…
Read full rule →Honolulu County
Some RestrictionsHonolulu adopted the Hawai'i State Plumbing Code, based on the 2018 Uniform Plumbing Code, under ROH § 19-1.1. The code…
Read full rule →Maui County
Some RestrictionsMaui County makes it unlawful to install, alter, repair, or remodel a plumbing system without first getting a separate…
Read full rule →Building Inspections
Required inspection types (rough framing, electrical, plumbing, final), how to schedule, what inspectors look for, and how to handle a failed inspection.
Hawaii County
Some RestrictionsHawaii County requires a sequence of inspections during any permitted construction: footing/foundation, slab or…
Read full rule →Honolulu County
Some RestrictionsHonolulu adopts the 2018 International Building Code by reference under ROH § 16-1.1 and rewrites its inspection…
Read full rule →Maui County
Some RestrictionsAny construction requiring a Maui County building permit must pass a series of required inspections, and work cannot be…
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