It’s one of the less enjoyable parts of any building project—Maui’s permit process. Pro Draft Offers a permit expediting service that can help not only with drafting and submitting for a permit but acquiring it too. While you’re spending time thinking about building plans, color schemed or maybe remodeling to upgrade to a sustainable green or tech savvy smart home, the last thing you want to worry about is the building permits for everything
We’ve previously discussed what can happen when a homeowner does work on a property without a permit, and we don’t recommend this practice. Any unpermitted work can become considerably more expensive in the long run when the county learns of its existence.
What Is A Permit?
A building permit is simply a written authorization issued by Maui County to commence with construction. Permits are required for most building and remodeling projects to ensure the safety of the work, as well as compliance with local building, construction, and zoning codes.
Maui’s building codes determine what needs a permit and what doesn’t. Generally, permits are needed for projects that alter the structure of a building and could, potentially, create unsafe working conditions.
The permit ensures that the project complies with local codes and standards and that the finished structure is safe for you and your family as well as future owners and occupants.
Building a new structure or remodeling an existing one will need various permits for things like:
• Structural integrity (i.e., adding, changing, or removing a wall
• Replacing the roof
• Changing the use of a room, such as a garage into living quarters
• Adding or updating the electrical system or piping
• Demolishing part or all of the house to rebuild
• Adding structures such as an Ohana
Projects such as repainting, new kitchen cabinets, replacing kitchen appliances, updating flooring, driveway repair or replacement (except along a county road), and other cosmetic remodeling generally doesn’t need a permit.
Maui’s Permit Process
The County has its own series of permits, including:
• Building permits for any structure that include construction, demolition, alteration, moving, repairs, and the use of a structure or building in Maui County
• Certificates of Occupancy, to ensure that a building is safe and in compliance with Maui County Code, Title 16.26.109.
• Electrical Permits
• Plumbing Permits
• Fire prevention
• Stormwater treatment
Each individual project may need a more specific permit for something not listed on Maui County’s website. Your architect or builder should be able to help you.
Get Help With Your Permits
Maui is very particular about new construction and renovations. After all, The Valley Isle is only 728 square miles. It’s a highly desirable place to live, but also needs room for tourism, agriculture, and utility structures, too. So, it makes sense that the County would be scrupulous about construction projects to ensure that everything is done correctly. Square footage is at a premium here, and there isn’t much room for error.
But how do you keep up with all those permits? How do you know that you’ve obtained all of them and that you won’t face something that’s “unpermitted?”
Because we’ve been doing this for so long, we understand the process and what permits you’ll need. With Pro Draft’s permit expediting service we can help with the proper writing up of the permit request, submitting your request, and acquiring it, too. We can either draft, submit, and obtain your permit for you, or tell you how to do it yourself. We’re happy to offer a little “free advice” for folks who are already stressed out about the building process.
What if you discover some unpermitted work, or are served with a Request For Service (RFS) letter for code violations? We’re happy to help with those, too, just give us a call.
PRO DRAFT FOR ALL YOUR ARCHITECTURAL DESIGN NEEDS
When you’re ready to begin building a house in Maui, remodeling, or adding to your home or commercial property, Pro Draft can help with architecture, drawings, blueprints, Maui’s permit process, and answer all of your questions before the first day of construction. We’re happy to help and will work to ensure your project is exactly the way you envision.
Call Pro Draft today at (808) 579-9050 or 1-800-499-4699 from the Mainland.