Operations
Building Division office closed, services unavailable Dec. 16 to Dec. 20
LĪHU‘E – Officials announce that the Department of Public Works Buildings Division will be closed, and its services will be unavailable from Dec. 16 to Dec. 20.
The closure is necessary to allow staff to return to their offices at the Moikeha Building, Suite 175. In addition, equipment and hardware will also be installed and connected, limiting the Building Permit Electronic Plan Review System (ePlan) and the Building Permit Status Online services. Those services, including telephone and email inquiries, will be unavailable until the following week.
The Buildings Division and its services are scheduled to resume on Monday, Dec. 23.
We thank the community for your cooperation and understanding.
For more information on ePlan and the Building Permit Status Online service, you may visit https://www.kauai.gov/Government/Departments-Agencies/Public-Works/Building-Division or contact the Building Division at 808-241-4854.
Announcements
***New web link for ePlan: https://eplans.kauai.gov/projectdox
Building Permit Application
New Building Permit Applications may now be accepted via email by filling out the form below and submitting to building@kauai.gov
Building Permit Application(PDF, 320KB)
Building Forms
BD-Commercial-Permit-Application-Checklist-2023(PDF, 198KB)
BD-Residential-Permit-Application-Checklist-2023(PDF, 224KB)
Contractor/Owner Builder Statement(PDF, 293KB)
Application for Formal Plan Revisions(DOC, 258KB)
Agricultural Building Exemption Form(DOC, 154KB)
Sign-Permit-Application(PDF, 132KB)
Request For Information(PDF, 127KB)
Accessibility-Statement(PDF, 160KB)
Special-Inspections-Form(PDF, 144KB)
Resource Documents
SFR-Duplex-Plan-Review-Checklist-2023(PDF, 285KB)
IECC Block Building Envelope Components(PDF, 278KB)
IECC Block Low-Rise Residential(PDF, 279KB)
IECC Block Electrical and Lighting Systems(PDF, 354KB)
IECC Block Mechanical Systems(PDF, 339KB)
Building Valuation Policy(PDF, 473KB)
Building Permits Minimum Requirements(PDF, 594KB)
Building Permits Minimum Requirements (Appendix A)(PDF, 3MB)
EPR Applicant User Guide(PDF, 9MB)
Kauai County Sign Ordinance Summary(PDF, 42KB)
Owner-Builders in Hawaii: A Guide to State Regulations(PDF, 14KB)
Alternate-Design-Material-or-Construction-Method-Application(PDF, 193KB)
Building Division Codes
Building
Ordinance No. 1163, Bill No. 2926, Draft 1 was adopted on October 10. 2024. This ordinance adopted the 2018 International Building Code, 2018 International Residential Code, 2018 International Existing Building Code, and 2018 International Energy Conservation Code with local amendments.
Ordinance No. 1163
ICC Codes
Electrical
State Building Code Council adoption of the 2020 National Fire Protection (NFPA) Standard, National Electrical Code (NEC) in accordance with HRS 107-24 became applicable as an interim county electrical code on March 14, 2024 in accordance with HRS 107-28(b).
2020-NEC-Code-Adoption.pdf(PDF, 273KB) March 14, 2024
National Electrical Code (NEC)
Plumbing
State Building Code Council adoption of the 2021 Uniform Plumbing Code (UPC) in accordance with HRS 107-24 became applicable as an interim county plumbing code on February 1, 2024 in accordance with HRS 107-28(b).
2021 Uniform Plumbing Code as per Hawai’i Revised Statues, Section 107-24 (c) February 2024(PDF, 75KB)
IAPMO
Other Useful Links
Kaua'i County Ordinances
Hawai'i State Building Code Council
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TWO WAYS TO REQUEST INSPECTION
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TELEPHONE
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EMAIL
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Your name, job site address, telephone number, permit number and inspection date are needed with your request. Submit your inspection request at least one or two days in advance and “CC” the supervisor when requesting inspection via email.
Kauai Online Hazard Assessment Tool
Geographic Information System (GIS)
FHAT - State of Hawaii Flood Hazard Assessment Tool is now online. Click here to access the FHAT tool
Public Works - Building Division Information
Mission Statement
The Division of Buildings is responsible for facility development and code development and enforcement. All programs are responsible for providing the people of Kauai with safely constructed public and private facilities.
Division Goals
- To develop new facilities to replace old, dilapidated, overcrowded buildings and structures.
- To ensure that the minimum construction standards contained within the Kauai County Codes, and referenced building trade codes, are adhered to.
- Continually update the Kauai County Code to meet current building industry codes, which reflect the latest industry standards, and changing technologies.
- Provide effective training and adequate staffing to increase the efficiency of services to the public in the review, issuance, and enforcement of building, electrical, plumbing, and sign permits.
- Provide necessary services in the preparation, and management of construction contracts.
Program Descriptions
- Administration - The Building Division's Administrative Section manages facility development and construction. The Section also oversees the operation of the Building Codes Enforcement Section.
- Building Code Enforcement Section - The Building Code Enforcement Section is responsible for the review of projects to ensure compliance and enforcement, of the all applicable building trade codes and ordinances, related to building construction. as the central coordination agency in the building permitting process, the program is responsible for the circulation and consolidation of comments from County, State, and Federal agencies, prior to permit approval. The program is also responsible for building, electrical, plumbing, and sign code enforcement inspection, as part of the permitting process.
Contact Information
County of Kauai - Department of Public Works
Building Division
4444 Rice Street, Suite 175
Lihue, Hawaii 96766-1340
Phone: 808-241-4854
Fax: 808-241-6806