Relating To Building Permits.
HB367 would create a new exemption in Hawaii law from county building permit requirements for certain work outside special management areas. The bill exempts like-for-like maintenance repairs that do not involve electrical, plumbing, or mechanical work, small group U structures of 1,000 square feet or less, and interior remodeling that does not change square footage, room count, room layout, windows, or use. It also requires notice and plan submission for certain larger structures and remodeling projects, and it bars work from starting until the county confirms that floodplain and National Flood Insurance Program requirements do not require a permit.
The measure gives counties a 30-day window to certify the work after notice is received and authorizes county fire and building officials to inspect exempt work, including seeking a court warrant if access is refused. It preserves existing county ordinance exemptions, lease conditions, zoning and floodplain rules, and limits government liability except in cases of gross negligence or intentional misconduct. The bill defines group U occupancies broadly to include many uninhabited structures such as barns, sheds, garages, fences, tanks, and towers, and it is set to take effect on July 1, 2050.
HB367 would amend chapter 46, Hawaii Revised Statutes, by adding a new section that narrows county permit requirements for specified maintenance, small accessory structures, and limited interior remodeling outside special management areas. It would affect property owners, contractors, county building departments, and county fire departments by creating a notice-and-review process for some otherwise exempt projects, while preserving floodplain, zoning, and other code compliance obligations. The bill would also establish county inspection authority and a penalty framework tied to existing county permitting penalties.
The available voting history suggests the bill was generally supported in committee, with the Senate Housing Committee passing it 3-0 with amendments on March 11, 2025. No committee transcript excerpts are provided, so there is no recorded floor or hearing debate to indicate broader opposition or support beyond the favorable committee action. The amended version and delayed effective date suggest an effort to refine the bill while maintaining its core permit-relief purpose.
The main policy tension appears to be between reducing permitting burdens for routine maintenance and small structures and preserving county oversight for safety, floodplain, and zoning compliance. Potential concerns include whether the exemptions are broad enough to allow work that should still be reviewed, how the notice-and-certification process will operate in practice, and whether county agencies will have sufficient enforcement tools. The bill also expressly avoids overriding lease conditions and existing county ordinance exemptions, which may reflect concern about preserving local control and private property agreements.