East Honolulu, HI Swimming Pools & Spas: Pool Permits (2026)

East Honolulu pools are permitted through the City and County of Honolulu Department of Planning and Permitting (DPP). The Honolulu Building Code (ROH Chapter 16), amending International Building Code Section 105, states: 'A building permit is required to perform work covered by this code as provided in ROH Chapter 18.' Because a swimming pool, spa, or hot tub is a structure and accessory to an R-3 residential occupancy (IBC Sec. 3109.4 as amended), its construction requires a building permit, and submitted plans must show that the pool barrier conforms to Sec. 3109.4 and ROH Article 6. Honolulu has adopted the 2018 International Building Code and 2018 International Residential Code. Separately, public swimming pools (such as those at condominiums, hotels, and apartment complexes) require a permit to operate from the State Department of Health under Hawaii Administrative Rules Chapter 11-10. HAR Sec. 11-10-4 provides that 'No person shall operate or maintain a public swimming pool unless a permit to operate has been obtained from the department,' the permit is valid for five years, and plans for a new or renovated public pool must be reviewed and approved by the DOH director before construction (HAR Sec. 11-10-3) with a $200 plan-review fee.