Building Division Operations:
- Due to the flood event of June 18, 2023 Building Division office has temporarily relocated to the Hale Kokua office, Suite 302 in the Lihue Civic Center. The entrance is located across the DMV lobby at the end of the building, and modified hours of operation are 7:45 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Monday through Friday.
- Customers should have their permit application(s) completed before approaching the front counter. Applications are also available at the front counter for your convenience.
- General inquiries regarding construction, electronic plan review, inspections, violations, property or Realtor inquiries will be accepted by telephone at (808) 241-4854.
- The County of Kaua'i started enforcement of the following codes pursuant to Hawai'i Revised Statutes, Section 107-28, and is blended with the 2006 IBC and 2006 IRC amendments as adopted by the County of Kaua'i.
2018 International Building Code April 20, 2023
2018 International Residential Code November 17, 2022
2018 International Existing Building Code November 17, 2022
2018 International Energy Conservation Code December 15, 2022
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, 142KB)
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-Ap(PDF, 193KB)plication
Building Division Codes
The following documents are not official copies of the codes, are for reference purposes only, and accuracy should be confirmed with the copy on file with the Office of the County Clerk.
State 2012 IBC Adoption 11-13-2018 1 of 2(PDF, 8MB)
State 2012 IBC Adoption 11-13-2018 2 of 2(PDF, 11MB)
State 2018 IRC Adoption 11-17-2022(PDF, 5MB)
Building Code(PDF, 1MB)
Electrical Code(PDF, 218KB)
Plumbing Code(PDF, 958KB)
Sign Ordinance(PDF, 76KB)
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: 241-4854
Fax: 241-6806