HCC §5-3-25
Starting emergency work without a permit
Read the official text at hawaiicounty.gov ↗This section lets you start certain emergency repairs without a permit first, but you must tell the building department in writing the next workday and apply for a permit within 14 days. You can ask for more time in writing if you have a good reason. The work must be legal and only fix damage from the emergency.
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The ordinance, as written (Hawaiʻi County) — Emergency work
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) Emergency work may commence in compliance with section 5-4-2, without a permit. However, the applicant shall notify the authority having jurisdiction of such emergency work on the workday immediately following the day the emergency work is commenced. This notification shall be made in writing. An application for a permit for the emergency work shall be filed with and appropriate fees, pursuant to 5-7-3, paid to the authority having jurisdiction within fourteen days of the commencement of the emergency work. The authority having jurisdiction may grant one or more extensions of time for additional periods not exceeding fourteen consecutive days each. Prior to the deadline, requests for extension shall be filed in writing with the authority having jurisdiction, and demonstrate that circumstances beyond the applicant’s control justify granting the extension request. This provision shall pertain to the following types of work: SUPP. 9 (1-2021) 5-16 CONSTRUCTION ADMINISTRATIVE CODE § 5-3-25 (1) Emergency building work including the repair of any legally erected existing structure that was damaged during an emergency. The damage resulting from the emergency must be to an extent that it requires immediate action to prevent substantial physical harm to persons or property. As used in this section, “repair” means any restoration, reconstruction, or other work performed to return a structure to its former condition that does not increase the floor area of the structure beyond that of the structure prior to the major disaster, and is in conformance with the construction code, flood hazard regulations, land use ordinances, and other applicable laws. (2) Emergency electrical work, including work on electrical wiring to restore electrical service to a building following a fire, to remedy a power failure, and to protect persons and property against short circuiting and open circuits. (3) Emergency plumbing work, including work to remedy leaks in drains, soil, waste, vent pipes, or conditions that are otherwise dangerous to human health or public welfare. (b) A one-time emergency inspection may be conducted to verify that the immediate threat to public health, life and safety has been remedied. Upon issuance of the emergency work permit pursuant to subsection (a), regular inspections shall be conducted pursuant to sections 5-8-4 and 5-8-5. (c) This section shall not be interpreted to authorize violation of other provisions of the construction code or other applicable laws. Structures or portions thereof that were illegally erected or constructed shall not be repaired under this section. (2020, ord 20-61, sec 2.) 5-3-25 Article 4. Permit Application. Division 1. Application.
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.