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Ikena Permit
DPP plan check

Honolulu residential submittal checklist

85 items across 9 categories for a typical residential addition or new dwelling unit permit. 33 items are marked critical — these generate completeness rejections or first-cycle corrections most often.

Scope: one- and two-family residential additions, new dwellings, and accessory structures on Oahu requiring DPP plan check. Commercial, multi-family, and specialty permits have additional requirements not listed here.

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Cover sheet (A-0.1 or equivalent)

DPP plan examiners read the cover sheet first. Inconsistencies here generate correction items on every other sheet.

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  • Project address and TMK numberCritical
  • Zoning districtCritical
  • IBC occupancy classification (e.g., R-3, R-2, B)Critical

    IBC 2018 Chapter 3

  • IBC construction type (e.g., Type V-A or V-B) — must be consistent with structural notesCritical

    IBC 2018 §602

  • Applicable codes listed (ROH Ch. 16 / IBC 2018 with HI amendments, ROH Title 21, IMC, IPC)Critical
  • Building area: existing, new, total per occupancy group

    Required for IBC Table 506.2 sprinkler threshold evaluation

  • Number of stories and aggregate floor area
  • Architect/engineer of record: name, license number, firm, addressCritical
  • Hawaii-licensed architect or engineer stamp and signature on cover sheetCritical
  • Sheet index listing all sheets in the set
  • Revision block with revision history (if applicable)
  • North arrow
  • Vicinity map or project location map

Site plan (A-1.0 or equivalent)

The site plan is where DPP verifies zoning compliance. If the numbers are not on this sheet, they will be asked for.

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  • Property lines with dimensionsCritical
  • All existing and proposed structures shown with footprint dimensionsCritical
  • Setback dimensions from all structures to all property lines — annotatedCritical

    ROH §21-3.10

  • Lot coverage calculation table: existing, proposed addition, total sq ft, percentageCritical

    Include all covered structures: house, garage, accessory structures, covered lanais, overhangs > 18 in

    ROH §21-4.60

  • Parking compliance table: required stalls, provided stalls, dimensionsCritical

    ROH §21-3.120

  • Driveway width and apron shown
  • Scale indicated on plan (1"=10' or 1"=20' typical)Critical
  • Existing grade contours at 1-ft or 2-ft intervals for sloped sites
  • Finish floor elevations for existing and proposed construction
  • Flood zone designation annotated if parcel is within AE or VE zone

    Include FIRM panel number and effective date

    FEMA FIRM

  • SMA boundary notation if parcel is within SMA overlay
  • Utility connections: water, sewer, electrical service point of entry
  • Height of all proposed structures noted or cross-referenced to elevations

Floor plans (A-2.x sheets)

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  • Existing conditions plan if project involves alteration of existing constructionCritical
  • Proposed floor plan(s) — all levels including basementCritical
  • Dimensions: overall, room-to-room, door and window rough openingsCritical
  • Room labels with use (bedroom, living, garage, storage, etc.)Critical
  • Gross floor area calculation for each level

    Required for FAR compliance (A-1, A-2 districts) and IBC occupant load calculations

  • Door swing shown — verify accessible routes and egress path
  • Window schedule cross-referenced, or window sizes and types noted on planCritical
  • Sleeping rooms: emergency escape and rescue window labeled with net clear opening dimensionsCritical

    IBC §1030

  • Stair dimensions: tread, riser, clear width, headroom

    IBC §1011

  • Smoke alarm and CO detector locations noted

    IBC §907.2.11 / ROH §16 amendment

  • Electrical panel location and service entrance noted (coordinate with electrical plans)
  • Fire sprinkler system: if required, note throughout and provide hydraulic calc reference
  • Accessible route path from accessible parking to all accessible spaces documented

Elevations (A-3.x sheets)

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  • All four exterior elevations — front (street-facing), rear, left side, right sideCritical
  • Existing grade line and finish grade line shown with elevation dataCritical

    DPP uses this to verify building height

  • Building height dimension annotated from average grade to highest roof pointCritical

    ROH §21-4.70

  • Roof pitch notation (e.g., 4:12) — required to evaluate sloped-roof height exception

    Must be ≥ 4:12 to qualify for 30-ft height limit instead of 25-ft

    ROH §21-4.70

  • Overhang dimension from exterior wall face — annotate if > 18 in (affects lot coverage)

    ROH §21-4.60

  • Window sill heights noted for sleeping rooms — verify egress sill height ≤ 44 in AFF

    IBC §1030.2

  • Exterior materials noted (for historic district review, if applicable)
  • Finished floor elevations labeled and consistent with site plan and floor plans

Sections and details (A-4.x, A-5.x)

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  • Building section(s) showing structural system, ceiling heights, and stair configuration
  • Wall section(s) from footing to roof — showing all assemblies, insulation, and cladding
  • Fire-resistance assemblies: if Type V-A, provide UL-listed assembly designations for all required 1-hr elements

    IBC 2018 §602.4

  • Roof assembly shown with R-value (for energy code compliance)
  • Foundation section — footing dimensions, reinforcing, bearing pressure
  • Stair section — confirm tread/riser/clear width/headroom
  • Guardrail and handrail details at stairs and elevated decks

    IBC §1015, §1014

  • Door and window details for exterior units — weatherproofing, flashing, threshold

Structural drawings (S-1.x through S-x.x)

Structural deficiencies are among the most common resubmittal triggers. The construction type declaration on A-0.1 must be consistent with every note and detail on structural sheets.

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  • General structural notes: design loads, code edition, soil bearing assumptionCritical
  • Seismic design category noted (Hawaii is SDC D1 or D2 for most residential)Critical

    ASCE 7 / IBC §1613

  • Wind design parameters: basic wind speed, exposure category, internal pressure coefficientCritical

    ASCE 7 / IBC §1609

  • Construction type consistent with cover sheet (if V-A: note 1-hr assemblies; if V-B: note unprotected)Critical

    IBC §602.4

  • Foundation plan with footing sizes, bearing elevations, slab thickness
  • Framing plan(s): beam, joist, and rafter sizes, bearing conditions, point loads
  • Shear wall schedule or layout plan with holddowns and nailing pattern

    IBC §2305 / AWC SDPWS

  • Roof framing plan with member sizes and connections
  • Connection details for lateral system: beam-to-column, holddown, anchor bolt
  • Engineer of record stamp on all structural sheetsCritical

Mechanical, electrical, and plumbing (M, E, P sheets)

0/7
  • Electrical one-line diagram showing service size, panel schedule, and load calculation

    Required by DPP for projects involving new or modified electrical service

  • Electrical plan showing outlet, switch, and fixture locations — coordinate with smoke/CO alarms
  • Plumbing plan showing supply, waste, and vent routing for any new plumbing work

    IPC 2018 with HI amendments

  • Mechanical plan showing HVAC equipment, ductwork, and exhaust fan locations for kitchens/baths

    IMC 2018 with HI amendments

  • Energy code compliance documentation: COMcheck or Title 24 (Hawaii uses Hawaii Energy Code based on ASHRAE 90.1)Critical

    Frequently missed — required for projects adding conditioned floor area

  • Solar PV or battery storage: include single-line diagram, PV plan, and HI electrical permit requirements if applicable
  • Gas piping plan and gas load calculation (if natural gas or LP is used)

DPP forms and fees

Incomplete or outdated forms are the fastest route to a completeness rejection — no plan check even starts.

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  • Building permit application (DPP BP-1 or BP-1B for one- and two-family residential)Critical
  • Ownership disclosure / owner's authorization if architect is filing on behalf of owner
  • Project valuation declared — DPP uses this to calculate permit feesCritical
  • Plan check fee paid (based on current fee schedule, tied to project valuation)
  • SMA permit or exemption letter attached if parcel is within SMA boundary
  • Variance or Board of Zoning Appeals (BZA) approval attached if project relies on relief

    No permit can issue for a nonconforming condition without approved variance

  • Historic preservation review letter attached if project is in a historic district or on the State or National Register
  • Flood zone: LOMR-F, LOMA, or prior Elevation Certificate if parcel has been remapped

Additional items for Self-Certification Program (SCP) submittals

SCP permits bypass plan check but are subject to audit. The certification package must be complete.

0/5
  • SCP certification form — current registration year, signed and datedCritical
  • SCP registrant's current DPP registration number on cover sheet and certification formCritical
  • Self-certification stamp on all sheets confirming compliance with all applicable codesCritical
  • Errors and omissions insurance: current certificate on file with DPP (verify annually)
  • All sheets signed and stamped by the SCP-registered architect or engineer of record
Tip: Use “Critical only” to focus on the 33 items that generate completeness rejections most often.
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Beyond the checklist

Have Ikena Permit read your actual drawings.

The checklist tells you what to include. A pre-check tells you what will fail — specific measurements, specific code sections, specific recommended fixes. Same issues DPP would find, before you submit.

Run a pre-check — $199See a sample report

Founding architect rate · first 20 scans

This checklist reflects standard DPP residential plan check requirements as of May 2026. DPP submission requirements change periodically — verify current requirements through DPP before submitting. This checklist is a preliminary planning tool and does not replace professional judgment or review by a Hawaii-licensed architect or engineer.