ROH §43-11.6
When the building permit freeze does not apply
Read the official text at honolulu.gov ↗This section lists four situations where a building permit can still be issued even if the area is normally under a permit freeze. These include fixing flood or rain damage, making a building comply with laws, repairs that don't add residents, and temporary non-residential structures.
contractorsdevelopershomeownerslandowners
The ordinance, as written (Honolulu County) — Exceptions
A copy, taken August 22, 2026. The version published by Honolulu is the one that governs, and it may have changed since. Check it before relying on anything here.
If the application for a building permit otherwise qualifies under Chapter 18 and under all other applicable laws and rules, § 43-11.3 does not apply to the issuance of a building permit for the following work:
(1) To perform work permitted under Chapter 18 on a building or structure dislocated or damaged by floods or rains. This exception does not extend to the moving or relocation of a building or structure into another area within which the issuance of building permits is prohibited, as designated in § 43-11.3 ;
(2) To perform work permitted under Chapter 18 necessary or required to make an existing building or structure comply with applicable laws and rules;
(3) To perform alterations or repairs to an existing structure or building that will not increase the number of inhabitants in the structure or building; and
(4) To erect temporary structures, not for residential purposes, as permitted by Chapter 18 .
)
Published by the City and County of Honolulu through American Legal Publishing.
LawTrove is not legal advice. The summary above is a computer-generated restatement — the authoritative text is the official version linked above.