Maui Building Permit Process: How Maui County Differs from Honolulu DPP

Maui County Department of Public Works

Building permits on Maui are issued by the Maui County Department of Public Works, Building Division — not DPP (which is an Oahu/City and County of Honolulu agency only). The process involves an application, plan check by Building Division staff, and a separate zoning review by the Maui County Planning Department for projects requiring discretionary approval.

Maui has adopted the IBC 2018 and IPC/IMC 2018 with state and county amendments, the same base codes as Honolulu. The amendments, however, differ. Always check the Maui County Code (MCC) amendments specifically — do not assume that a Hawaii state amendment applicable to Honolulu applies to Maui projects without verification.

Maui zoning vs. Honolulu LUO

Honolulu uses ROH Chapter 21 (the Land Use Ordinance) as its zoning framework. Maui uses the Maui County Code Title 19 (Zoning). The zone designations, setback tables, and lot coverage limits are different. Common sources of error for architects crossing over from Oahu work:

• Zone names differ.Maui's residential districts use different naming conventions. An “R-1” zone on Maui is not the same as an R-5 zone under the Honolulu LUO. Confirm setbacks, coverage limits, and height standards from the MCC, not from memory of the ROH.
• Setback measurement methods vary. Maui code measures some setbacks differently than ROH Chapter 21. Verify the measurement baseline for the specific zone.
• Accessory dwelling units. Maui has its own ADU ordinance that has been updated multiple times in response to state ADU preemption legislation. Do not apply Honolulu ohana unit rules to Maui ADU projects.

SMA and shoreline on Maui

The Special Management Area (SMA) on Maui covers a significant portion of the developed coastline, including areas around Kihei, Lahaina, and Wailea. SMA permits are issued by the Maui County Planning Department and are required for development above the SMA threshold (currently projects valued over $500,000 require a full SMA permit; smaller projects may qualify for a minor SMA permit).

The shoreline setback on Maui is established per HRS Chapter 205A and the State Office of Planning's shoreline certification program. The certified shoreline must be current (typically recertified within the last year) before an SMA permit application is filed.

Post-2023 fire damage rebuilding in the Lahaina area involves additional review layers including historic preservation and state emergency permitting provisions. If you are working on a Lahaina rebuild, consult directly with the Maui County Planning and Building departments before starting plan preparation.

Plan check timelines

Maui County Building Division has historically had longer plan check timelines than Honolulu DPP for standard residential projects — often 8–16 weeks for a first review cycle, depending on staff workload and project complexity. Post-Lahaina fire, the division has faced significant demand with limited staffing increases.

There is no equivalent to Honolulu's Self-Certification Program in Maui County as of this writing. An express or expedited plan review option exists for an additional fee; confirm current availability and eligibility with Maui County Building Division at the time of submission.

Leeward vs. windward: wind speed differences

Hawaii wind speed maps show significant variation within Maui County. Properties in the Kihei/Wailea corridor on the leeward side have lower basic wind speeds than properties on the windward Hana coast or at elevation. ASCE 7-16 wind speed maps specific to Hawaii must be used — do not use continental U.S. maps. Structural engineers working across islands should use the Hawaii-specific wind speed data provided by the State of Hawaii Building Code Council.