Do You Need a Permit for Plumbing Work in Honolulu and Hawaii? (2026)
Short answer: in Hawaii, most plumbing work needs a county permit, and it has to be done by a state-licensed plumbing contractor. On Oahu, the main exception is a small like-for-like repair of valves, pipes or fixtures by a licensed plumbing contractor, up to $2,500 in any 12-month period. Replacing a water heater, moving pipes, adding fixtures and sewer work generally need a permit. Each county has its own rules and fees.
Last updated October 23, 2026. We are an independent referral service, not a plumbing contractor or a government office, and this is general information, not legal advice. Rules and fees are from the county and state sources listed at the bottom; confirm with your county before work starts.
Oahu (City and County of Honolulu)
Honolulu uses one building permit for building, electrical and plumbing work, issued by the Department of Planning and Permitting (DPP). The ordinance (ROH 18-3.1) requires a permit to install, remove, alter, repair or replace any plumbing, gas or drainage piping, any fixture or gas appliance, and any water heating or treating equipment, unless an exemption applies.
What is exempt
- Small plumbing repairs: repair or like-for-like replacement of plumbing components, installed by a licensed plumbing contractor, valued at $2,500 or less in total over any 12-month period, that only involves valves, pipes or fixtures. Honolulu raised this limit from $1,000 to $2,500 in 2023 (Ordinance 23-13).
- No exemption applies to work in a public utility right-of-way or easement, and exempt work still has to meet the plumbing code.
- The separate $10,000 exemption for maintenance repairs does not apply to anything involving plumbing, electrical or mechanical installations.
What usually needs a permit
| Job | Permit on Oahu? |
|---|---|
| Fixing a leak or clearing a clog, no parts rearranged | Usually exempt if done by a licensed plumbing contractor and under $2,500 in 12 months |
| Swapping a faucet, toilet or valve like-for-like | Usually exempt under the same $2,500 rule; single-family homes can get an instant online permit when one is needed |
| Replacing a water heater (tank, heat pump or solar) | Generally yes; water heating equipment is named in the permit rule. DPP offers instant online permits for solar water heating and heat pump installations at single-family homes |
| Repiping or replacing water or sewer lines like-for-like | Yes if over $2,500; single-family homes can apply online |
| Moving or adding fixtures, bathroom or kitchen remodel | Yes, and plans may be required |
| Sewer connection or cesspool conversion | Yes, plus city sewer or state Department of Health approvals (see our cesspool conversion guide) |
Online permits, fees and contacts
- Instant online permits cover single-family homes only (not condos, apartments or townhouses). Plumbing options include fixture replacement, new whole-house or sink filters and water softeners, and like-for-like replacement of water or sanitary piping, valves and fittings. Multi-family buildings can get an online permit only for like-for-like fixture replacement other than showers and tubs. Anything else needs a full building permit application.
- Fees are based on the value of the work (ROH 18-6.2, Table 18-A). DPP has a fee calculator. If plans are required, a plan review fee of 20% of the permit fee (up to $25,000) is added.
- DPP Permit Center: (808) 768-8220 or (808) 768-3126, or eplans@honolulu.gov.
Maui County
- The Department of Planning's Development Services Administration (DSA) requires plumbing permits for new and retrofit plumbing installations under the 2018 Uniform Plumbing Code (Maui County Code 16.20C, effective May 13, 2022).
- Permits are issued only to State of Hawaii licensed plumbing contractors, who apply online through MAPPS.
- The county's published fee list (dated May 23, 2022) shows a $23 residential permit issue fee plus $18 per item, including each toilet, sink, electric or solar water heater, heat pump and water line repair. One electric water heater would be $41. The after-the-fact permit fee is $575. Fees are set in the annual budget, so ask for the current amount.
Hawaii Island (Hawaii County)
- The county's residential permit guidelines say a plumbing permit is required for any installation, removal, alteration, repair or replacement of plumbing, gas or drainage piping, fixtures, or water heating or treating equipment.
- Listed exceptions include clearing stoppages and repairing leaks when no pipes, valves or fixtures are replaced or rearranged, and replacing or repairing disposals, faucets and fixtures (including sinks and toilets) when no pipes or valves are replaced or rearranged.
- Applications are submitted by state-licensed plumbing contractors. The 2013 guidelines list a $10 application fee plus $4 per fixture or water heater, and a $100 application fee when work began before a required permit. Those figures are old, so confirm with the Department of Public Works Building Division.
Kauai County
- Kauai's plumbing code (County Code Chapter 14, Article 2, adopting the 2018 Uniform Plumbing Code) requires a plumbing permit for work covered by the code and issues it only to licensed plumbing contractors and a few other categories, such as a gas utility or an owner who holds a plumbing license.
- The Department of Public Works Building Division (4444 Rice St., Lihue) accepts new building permit applications by email at building@kauai.gov. Ask the division for current plumbing fees.
Can a homeowner do the work?
Generally not for plumbing. Honolulu DPP says all plumbing work must be done by contractors licensed by the State. Hawaii's owner-builder exemption (HRS 444-2.5) lets owners act as their own general contractor, but it specifically does not cover plumbing unless the owner holds a plumbing license under chapter 448E. Hire a licensed plumbing contractor for the work. Check any license free on the DCCA license search, and see our license check guide.
Why the permit matters to you
- Rebates: Hawaii Energy's solar water heater rebate application asks for a permit number. See our solar water heater guide.
- Penalties: counties charge more for work started without a permit (Maui's after-the-fact fee is $575).
- Selling, insuring or financing: unpermitted work can raise questions later. A finaled permit is a record that the work passed inspection.
- Condos: your association may have its own approval process on top of the county permit. Ask the building manager before work starts.
Questions to ask your plumber
- Does this job need a permit, and if not, which exemption applies?
- Will you pull the permit, and is the fee in the quote? (The Contractors License Board notes that contractors don't have to get the permit unless the contract says so.)
- What is your Hawaii contractor license number and classification?
- Who schedules the inspection, and will I get a copy of the finaled permit?
Typical prices are in our plumber cost guide and water heater cost guide.
Get a quote
Call (808) 772-0705 or use the quote form. Tell us your island and town and what needs doing. We will work to route your request to an independent, licensed plumbing company that serves your area; we can't promise coverage on every island yet.
FAQ
Do I need a permit to replace a water heater in Honolulu?
Usually, yes. Honolulu's building code requires a permit to install, remove, repair or replace water heating equipment. The small-repair exemption only covers like-for-like valves, pipes or fixtures installed by a licensed plumbing contractor, up to $2,500 in a 12-month period. For a single-family home, DPP offers instant online permits for solar water heating and heat pump installations. Ask your contractor to pull the permit and list it on the quote.
What plumbing work does not need a permit in Honolulu?
Plumbing repair or like-for-like replacement of plumbing components is exempt when it is installed by a licensed plumbing contractor, only involves valves, pipes or fixtures, and totals $2,500 or less in any 12-month period (ROH 18-3.1(b)(20)). The exemption does not apply to work in a public utility right-of-way or easement, and the work still has to meet the plumbing code.
Can I do my own plumbing in Hawaii if I get a permit?
Generally, no. Honolulu DPP says all plumbing work must be done by contractors licensed by the State, and the state owner-builder exemption (HRS 444-2.5) does not cover plumbing unless the owner holds a plumbing license. Maui and Kauai issue plumbing permits only to licensed plumbing contractors, and Hawaii County says plumbing permit applications are submitted by licensed plumbing contractors.
How much does a plumbing permit cost in Hawaii?
It depends on the county. Honolulu charges by the value of the work (use the DPP fee calculator). Maui's published list (May 2022) shows a $23 residential issue fee plus $18 per fixture or water heater, so a single electric water heater would be $41. Hawaii County's 2013 schedule showed a $10 application fee plus $4 per water heater. Kauai's fees are set in its plumbing code; ask the Building Division. Fees change, so confirm with the county.
Who is supposed to get the plumbing permit, me or the plumber?
The licensed contractor normally applies, since the counties issue plumbing permits to licensed plumbing contractors. The Contractors License Board notes that contractors are not required to get or pay for a building permit unless the contract says so, so put it in writing.
What happens if plumbing work is done without a permit?
Counties charge extra for work started without one: Maui's fee list shows a $575 after-the-fact permit fee, and Hawaii County's 2013 schedule raised the application fee to $100. Unpermitted work can also block rebates (Hawaii Energy's solar water heater rebate asks for a permit number) and cause questions when you sell or insure the home.
Do I need a permit to replace a toilet or faucet?
On Oahu, a like-for-like fixture swap by a licensed plumbing contractor under $2,500 in a 12-month period is exempt, and single-family homes can get an instant online permit for fixture replacement when one is needed. Hawaii County's guidelines exempt replacing faucets, sinks, toilets and disposals when no pipes or valves are replaced or rearranged.
Sources
- Revised Ordinances of Honolulu 18-3.1: Permits required and exemptions (plumbing and water heating equipment need a permit; exemption 20 for small like-for-like repairs)
- Honolulu Ordinance 23-13 (2023) (raised the plumbing repair exemption from $1,000 to $2,500)
- Honolulu DPP: Building permit requirements (exemptions, Permit Center phone numbers, ePlans)
- Honolulu DPP: Permitting
- Honolulu DPP: Online building permit types (single-family plumbing, solar and heat pump water heating)
- Honolulu DPP: Building permit fee calculator (fees by project value; plan review 20%, up to $25,000)
- Honolulu DPP: Frequently asked questions (plumbing work must be done by state-licensed contractors)
- Maui County DSA: Plumbing permit (issued only to licensed plumbing contractors; apply in MAPPS)
- Maui County: Plumbing permit fee list (dated May 23, 2022)
- Hawaii County: Residential building permit guidelines (August 2013, PDF) (plumbing permit rules, exceptions and fee schedule)
- Kauai County Code Chapter 14, Article 2: Plumbing code (to whom plumbing permits may be issued)
- Kauai County Building Division
- HRS 444-2.5: Owner-builder exemption (does not cover plumbing work unless the owner is licensed under chapter 448E)
- Hawaii Contractors License Board: Consumers and construction contracts (PDF)
- Hawaii Energy: Solar water heating rebate application, 2026-27 (PDF) (permit number required)