Department of Planning and Permitting

Please be aware that compliance with the State’s Environmental Review process is required before applying. If an action hits one of the 13 triggers requiring environmental review listed in HRS 343-5(opens in a new tab), either:

  • The determining agency must declare the action exempt from the requirement to prepare an environmental assessment (agency exemption lists can be found here(opens in a new tab));
  • An environmental assessment and finding of no significant impact must be published (if significant environmental impacts are not anticipated); or
  • An environmental impact statement must be accepted and published (if significant environmental impacts are anticipated).

Zoning Permits

The following permits and approvals may be required before applying for building or site development permits. All applications for these permits must include a completed Master Application Form(opens in a new tab). If you need to request State Historic Preservation Division (SHPD) review, you may use our SHPD comment request(opens in a new tab)   letter (revised November 2024).

Permit or ApprovalRegulationApplyGuidance

Affordable housing exemptions

Zoning flexibility for affordable housing

HRS 201H

DPP Administrative Rules, Title 20

Instructions

Cluster

Zoning flexibility for developments with 3 or more dwellings, which encourages preservation of open space or agricultural land

ROH 21-8.50-1

ROH 21-3.50-1 (ag lots)

ROH 21-3.60-1 (country lots)

InstructionsGuidebook

Conditional Use Permit (minor)

Use requires minor CUP per Master Use Table

ROH 21-2.90See following rows
Conditional Use Permit Minor CUPMeeting facilities, day-care facilities, schools (elementary, intermediate, and high), and hotels with up to 180 units in the BMX-3 districtInstructions
Conditional Use Permit Minor CUPJoint development of two or more zoning lotsROH 21-5.380Instructions

Sample (single party)

Sample (multiple parties)

Sample (overlapping)

Conditional Use Permit Minor CUPOff-site parking and/or joint use of parking facilitiesROH 21-6.70Instructions

Sample Parking License Agreement

Sample Declaratory Statement

Sample Restrictive Covenant

Conditional Use Permit Minor CUPAll other uses

Instructions

Telecom Certificate

Conditional Use Permit (major)

Use requires major CUP per Master Use Table

ROH 21-2.90Instructions

Existing Use Permit

Nonconforming developments that now require a CUP or cluster

ROH 21-2.100Instructions

Minor Modification

Minor modifications to most of the approvals listed here

ROH 21-2.20(k)Instructions

Plan Review Uses

Use requires PRU per Master Use Table (hospitals, prisons, airports, colleges and universities, trade or convention centers, and some golf courses)

ROH 21-2.120

Instructions (golf courses)

Instructions (all other uses)

Planned Development – Housing

Zoning flexibility for large mixed use developments

ROH 21-8.50-4InstructionsGuidebook

Planned Development – Resort and Apartment

Zoning flexibility for projects in Waikiki

ROH 21-2.110-2Instructions

Planned Development and Interim Planned Development – Transit

Zoning flexibility in future rail station areas

ROH 21-9.100-5Instructions

Special District Permit (minor)

Use requires minor SDD permit per special district use table

ROH 21-9

Instructions

Hawaii Capitol

Diamond Head

Punchbowl

Chinatown

Thomas Square

Waikiki

Haleiwa

TOD

Special District Permit (major)

Use requires major SDD permit per special district use table

ROH 21-9Instructions

Special Use Permit

Unusual uses within the State Agricultural Land Use District

HRS 205-6

DPP Administrative Rules, Planning Commission Rules

Instructions

Street Tree Approval

Planting trees along the roadway landscape strip

Instructions

Standards

2023 Street Tree List

Temporary Use Approval

Temporary construction yards, structures, etc.

ROH 21-1.60Instructions

Zone Change

Zone changes can involve changes from one zoning district to another, a change in the height limit indicated on a zoning map, or an amendment to an existing unilateral agreement

Instructions

Zoning Adjustment

Zoning flexibility in the specific situations listed in the following rows

See following rows

See following rows

Zoning AdjustmentCarports and garages that must encroach into the required front or side yardROH 21-2.140-1(a)Instructions

Zoning AdjustmentEnergy-saving rooftop designs

ROH 21-2.140-1(b)Instructions

Zoning AdjustmentFlag lots that require narrower access

ROH 21-2.140-1(c)Instructions

Zoning AdjustmentAdditional height to compensate for grade irregularities

ROH 21-2.140-1(d)Instructions

Zoning AdjustmentLanai enclosures

ROH 21-2.140-1(e)Instructions

Zoning AdjustmentLoading requirements (low-rise multi-family dwellings)

ROH 21-2.140-1(f)Instructions

Zoning AdjustmentOff-street parking and loading requirements upon change in use

ROH 21-2.140-1(g)Instructions

Zoning AdjustmentOhana (accessory) dwelling expansion

ROH 21-2.140-1(h)Instructions

Zoning AdjustmentOhana (accessory) dwelling rebuilding

ROH 21-2.140-1(h)Instructions

Zoning AdjustmentAdditional height for receive-only antennas

ROH 21-2.140-1(i)Instructions

Zoning AdjustmentResidential height exemption for slopes greater than 40 percent

ROH 21-2.140-1(j)Instructions

Zoning AdjustmentAdditional height for retaining walls

ROH 21-2.140-1(k)Instructions

Zoning AdjustmentRooftop height exemption for rooftop structures housing elevator machinery and air conditioning equipment

ROH 21-2.140-1(l)Instructions

Zoning AdjustmentSign master plans

ROH 21-2.140-1(m)Instructions

Zoning AdjustmentAccessory dwelling unit (ADU) conversions

ROH 21-2.140-1(n)Instructions

Zoning Variance

Forgiveness from zoning rules when there is hardship

Charter 6-1517InstructionsGuidebook

Zoning Verification

Request property information, including zoning designations, flood zones, development standards, legality of existing uses, and whether existing structures can be rebuilt

Request form

Zoning Waiver

Zoning flexibility for public uses and structures, utility installations, small lots for landscaping and open space purposes, improvements rendered nonconforming through eminent domain, and retrofits required to comply with federal mandates

ROH 21-2.130Instructions
Scroll to Top
Skip to content