City & County of Honolulu DPP Permit Guide: Concrete & Retaining Walls
C-31 Masonry & Structural Concrete
HI DCCA C-31 Active License Verified #CT-38914 (HRS § 444) • Fully compliant with Hawaii Revised Statutes Chapter 444.
Honolulu DPP & Neighbor Island Permitting
OSHA overhead protection standards • Licensed Structural Engineer (S.E.) stamped plans & inspections.
Primary Oahu Dispatch Corridors: Downtown Honolulu • Ala Moana • Kakaako • Windward & West Oahu
Under City & County of Honolulu Revised Ordinances (ROH Chapter 18), a Department of Planning and Permitting (DPP) building permit is legally mandatory for any retaining wall exceeding 30 inches (2.5 feet) in height, any wall retaining a surcharge slope, and structural concrete alterations. Work must be executed by a Hawaii-licensed C-31 contractor with structural engineer (S.E.) stamped calculations.
When Is a Honolulu DPP Building Permit Legally Required?
Homeowners and commercial property managers frequently ask whether permits are needed for concrete maintenance. While minor non-structural spall patching and surface resurfacing do not require DPP permits, any work affecting building structural integrity, elevated balconies, foundations, or soil-retaining walls over 30 inches strictly requires a City & County DPP permit.
Hawaii Revised Statutes (HRS § 444) Licensing Mandates
Under Hawaii state law (HRS Chapter 444), structural concrete, retaining wall construction, and foundation underpinning must be performed exclusively by licensed contractors holding a C-31 (Masonry & Structural Concrete) specialty license. Hiring unlicensed handymen for structural repairs exposes owners to severe fines, voided insurance claims, and property sale escrow holdbacks.
City & County of Honolulu DPP Permit Requirement Checklist
| Scope of Work | DPP Building Permit Status | Legal & Engineering Requirement |
|---|---|---|
| CMU Retaining Wall under 30 Inches (No Surcharge) | Permit Exempt | Exempt from DPP building permit; must comply with property boundary setbacks. |
| Retaining Wall over 30 Inches or Retaining Slope | Permit Mandatory | Requires DPP Building Permit + Licensed Hawaii Structural Engineer (S.E.) stamped plans. |
| Condo Lanai Spalling (AOAO Facade Maintenance) | Permit Mandatory | Requires DPP permit if altering post anchors, structural rebar, or edge slabs. |
| Concrete Slab Polyurethane Foam Void Filling | Permit Exempt | Non-structural slab re-leveling using expanding polymer foam is permit-exempt. |
| Foundation Underpinning with Steel Push Piers | Permit Mandatory | Requires DPP structural building permit with geotechnical soil log report. |
