Getting building plans pre-approved before applying for a permit

(a) Plan pre-approval. Plans for dwellings and multi-family dwellings may be pre-approved by the authority having jurisdiction. The application process for a permit that is based on plans for dwellings or multi-family dwellings that have been pre-approved and filed with the authority having jurisdiction shall exclude the plan and specification review required in sections 5-4-1 and 5-4-2. This exemption shall not apply to reviews by other appropriate departments and divisions of the County and the State required pursuant to section 5-4-5. 5-23 SUPP. 17 (1-2025) (b) Pre-approved plans. (1) Eligible plans shall have no limitation on size. (2) Mirrored or reversed versions of previously approved plans, will be considered to be separate and additional plans subject to paragraph (1) of this subsection. (3) Any revisions to pre-approved plans will require resubmittal of the entire set of revised plans and documents for approval. A proposed revision to an already pre-approved plan will be considered to be a separate and additional plan subject to paragraph (1) of this subsection. (c) Application for plan pre-approval. (1) To apply for pre-approval of a plan, complete working drawings and specifications that bear the seal and signature of a person who is licensed in the State of Hawai‘i as an architect or professional structural engineer shall be submitted to the authority having jurisdiction. (2) A plan review fee for pre-approved plans shall be assessed per plan in accordance with section 5-7-2. (d) The authority having jurisdiction shall approve the application, and assign a model number to the pre-approved plan, if it finds that: (1) The plans submitted for pre-approval conform with the requirements of the construction code and with all other applicable laws; and (2) The fees specified in section 5-7-2 have been paid. (e) Expiration of plan pre-approval. Pre-approved plans shall remain valid until a new edition of the building code is adopted by the authority having jurisdiction. (f) Owner/contractor application for permit. (1) When applying for a permit with a pre-approved plan the owner/contractor shall: (A) Submit complete working drawings showing the pre-approved model number along with the manufacturer’s seal and authorizing signature. The authority having jurisdiction will verify the seal and signature. (B) Pay the permit plan review fee pursuant to section 5-7-1. (C) Obtain required approvals from other departments or agencies. (2) Construction drawings for pre-approved plans, with the exception of the plot plan and/or cover sheet will not be required to be individually stamped by a person who is licensed in the State of Hawai‘i as an architect or professional structural engineer in accordance with this chapter and chapter 464, Hawai‘i Revised Statutes. The plot plan and/or cover sheet shall bear the same architect or professional engineer’s seal and signature as submitted on the pre- approved plan, pursuant to subsection (c)(1). SUPP. 17 (1-2025) 5-24 CONSTRUCTION ADMINISTRATIVE CODE § 5-4-21 (3) After the requisite approvals from other departments or agencies have been obtained, the authority having jurisdiction will either approve the application or inform the applicant of deficiencies in the application within six working days after the authority having jurisdiction receives notice that all approvals have been obtained. (4) Once approved, the authority having jurisdiction shall issue the permit in accordance with section 5-5-1. (2020, ord 20-61, sec 2; am 2021, ord 21-61, sec 11; am 2024, ord 24-45, sec 2.) 5-4-21 Article 5. Permits.