HCC §5-2-8
Protection for building code workers and the County
Read the official text at hawaiicounty.gov ↗This section protects building code workers from personal lawsuits when they do their jobs in good faith. The County will defend them and pay any judgment. It also says the County is not liable for permit or inspection issues, and property owners still have responsibility for defects.
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The ordinance, as written (Hawaiʻi County) — Limited liability of authorized personnel
A copy, taken August 21, 2026. The version published by Hawaiʻi County is the one that governs, and it may have changed since. Check it before relying on anything here.
(a) The authorized personnel charged with the administration and enforcement of the construction code, while acting in good faith and without malice in the discharge of the duties required by the construction code or other applicable law, shall not thereby be rendered personally liable for damages that may accrue to persons or property as a result of an act or by reason of an act or omission in the discharge of such duties. A suit brought against the authorized personnel because of such act or omission performed by the authorized personnel in the enforcement of any provision of the construction code or other applicable law implemented through the enforcement of the construction code shall be defended by the County until final termination of such proceedings, and any judgment resulting therefrom shall be assumed by the County. (b) Neither the County nor any department, board, commission, officer, employee, or agent shall be held liable or responsible for any damage or injury caused by or resulting from the issuance of any permit, or any inspection or approval or issuance of a certificate of inspection, made under the provisions of the construction code. (c) The construction code shall not be construed to relieve from or lessen the responsibility of any person for damages from any defect, arising out of the ownership, operation, or installation of any: (1) Electrical wires, appliances, apparatus, construction, or equipment; or (2) Plumbing, gas, or drainage systems. (2020, ord 20-61, sec 2.) 5-2-8 Division 2. Materials, equipment, devices, design, and methods of construction.
Published by the County of Hawaiʻi Office of the County Clerk.
LawTrove is not legal advice. The summary above is a computer-generated restatement — the authoritative text is the official version linked above.