Permits
All permit applications shall be submitted prior to the occupancy, use, or installation thereof and accompanied with applicable documents and fees. Checks or money orders shall be made payable to the City and County of Honolulu.
Honolulu Fire Department Permit Requirements
Effective January 19, 2021, the 2012 National Fire Protection Association 1 Fire Code was adopted as the Fire Code of the City and County of Honolulu to reflect the following permits issued by the Honolulu Fire Department and their applicable permit fees.
A permit or license shall be obtained from the Honolulu Fire Department’s Fire Prevention Bureau or designated agency prior to engaging in the following activities, operations, practices, or functions: (Section 1.12.8, as amended)
Places of Assembly
A permit is required for each place of assembly with an occupant load of 300 or more persons, such as restaurants, nightclubs, and dancing and drinking establishments. The permit shall be posted in a conspicuous location on the premises. (Section 20.1.1.1, as amended)
At the time of application, the applicant shall submit to the Authority Having Jurisdiction two copies of the establishment’s floor plan indicating the square footage (gross), the seating arrangements (if more than one seating configuration is used by the establishment), the occupancy load, aisle widths, exits and access ways to exits, and compliance with other fire code requirements in accordance with Chapter 20 Occupancy Fire Safety. See also amended Section 1.12.8. (Section 20.1.1.1, as amended)
Fee
$200 (Annual)
How to Apply
Mail completed permit application and payment to:
Fire Prevention Bureau
Honolulu Fire Department
636 South Street
Honolulu, Hawaii 96813-5007
Make check or money order payable to City and County of Honolulu.
Tents and Canopies
A permit is required to erect or operate a tent or canopy having an area in excess of 2,100 square feet. At the time of application, two plot plan copies shall be submitted to the Authority Having Jurisdiction indicating the distances to the property lines, buildings, other tents and canopies, parked vehicles, or internal combustion engines. (Section 25.1.2.1, as amended)
Exception: Permits are not required for private parties on private property.
Fee
$200
How to Apply
Mail completed permit application and payment to:
Fire Prevention Bureau
Honolulu Fire Department
636 South Street
Honolulu, Hawaii 96813-5007
Make check or money order payable to City and County of Honolulu.
Flammable and Combustible Liquid Tank Installation
A permit is required to install or operate equipment in connection with the storage, handling, use, or sale of flammable or combustible liquids regulated under Chapter 66 Flammable and Combustible Liquids. (Section 66.1.5, as amended)
Permits shall not be transferable, and any change in use, occupancy, operation, ownership, vendor, or capacity shall require a new permit. (Section 66.1.5, as amended)
At the time of application, two copies of the plot and cross-sectional plans indicating distances from property lines, buildings, other fuel tanks located on the premises, dispensers, emergency electrical shutoff, vent lines and diameter, piping, location of fire extinguisher, and necessary signage and placards shall be submitted to the Authority Having Jurisdiction. (Section 66.1.5, as amended)
Tank installations within the jurisdiction of the City and County of Honolulu shall be approved by the Department of Planning and Permitting’s Zoning Division prior to submitting an application for the Honolulu Fire Department’s Flammable and Combustible Liquid Tank Installation Permit. Please utilize a maximum paper size of 8”x14” for the tank plans.
For installations in the State of Hawaii conservation-zoned areas, tank installations shall be reviewed and approved by the State of Hawaii’s Department of Land and Natural Resources. (Section 66.1.5, as amended)
All appurtenances and installations shall be in accordance with Chapter 66 Flammable and Combustible Liquids.
One-Time Fee
$150 for a tank capacity of 62 to 4,999 gallons.
$200 for a tank capacity of 5,000 gallons or greater.
How to Apply
Mail completed permit application and payment to:
Fire Prevention Bureau
Honolulu Fire Department
636 South Street
Honolulu, Hawaii 96813-5007
Make check or money order payable to City and County of Honolulu.
Liquefied Petroleum Gas Tank Installation
A permit is required to install or dispense liquefied petroleum gas or maintain a liquefied petroleum gas tank. (Section 69.1.2, as amended)
Exception: A permit is not required to install or maintain a portable tank or the aggregate of interconnected tanks of less than a 125-gallon water capacity. (Section 69.1.2, as amended)
Permits shall not be transferable and any change in use, occupancy, operation, ownership, vendor, or capacity shall require a new permit. Distributors shall not fill a liquefied petroleum gas tank for which a permit is required, unless a permit for installation has been issued for that location by the Authority Having Jurisdiction. (Section 69.1.2, as amended)
Where a single tank or the aggregate of interconnected tanks is of a 125-gallon water capacity or more, the installer shall submit plans to the Authority Having Jurisdiction. (Section 69.1.2, as amended)
Liquefied petroleum gas installations requiring a permit shall have the permit on site and available for inspection by the Authority Having Jurisdiction. (Section 69.1.2, as amended)
At the time of application for a permit, the installer shall submit to the Authority Having Jurisdiction two copies of plot and cross-sectional plans indicating distances from property lines, buildings, other fuel tanks located on the premises, dispensers, emergency electrical shutoff, vent lines and diameter piping, location of fire extinguisher(s), and necessary signage and placards. (Section 69.1.2, as amended)
Tank installations within the City and County of Honolulu’s jurisdiction shall be approved by the Department of Planning and Permitting’s Zoning Division prior to submitting an application for the Honolulu Fire Department’s Liquefied Petroleum Gas Tank Installation Permit. For installations in the State of Hawaii preservation-zoned areas, tank installations shall be reviewed by the State of Hawaii’s Department of Land and Natural Resources. Refer to amended Section 1.12.8. and Section 69.1.2, as amended.
Appurtenances and installations shall be in accordance with Chapter 69 Liquefied Petroleum Gases and Liquefied Natural Gases.
Fee
$200 for a single container or the aggregate of interconnected containers of a 125-gallon water capacity or more.
How to Apply
Mail completed permit application and payment to:
Fire Prevention Bureau
Honolulu Fire Department
636 South Street
Honolulu, Hawaii 96813-5007
Make check or money order payable to City and County of Honolulu.
Firecrackers
Visit our firecrackers page for more info or see Chapter 20 Fire Code of the City and County Honolulu, Article 6 Regulation of Fireworks, Revised Ordinances of Honolulu for permits and license requirements.
E-Permit Fee
$25
How to Apply
Fire Plans Review
A. When plans or other specifications are submitted to the Honolulu Fire Department per the Building Code, a plan review fee shall be paid. Plans will not be approved until this payment is received. The fees collected are hereby deemed appropriated upon receipt and may be expended for fire prevention activities relating to public education, fire investigations, plans checking, permit processing, fire inspections, certifications, and training. (Section 1.12.8, as amended)
B. The Fire Plans Review Revolving Fund is established and created herewith as a repository for such fees. The fire plans review fee shall be ten percent of the building permit fee payable to the City and County of Honolulu prior to the issuance of the building permit. (Section 1.12.8, as amended)
Exception: Where an automatic fire sprinkler system is elected to be installed in accordance with NFPA 13D, NFPA 13R, or NFPA 13, the Fire Plans Review Fee shall be waived. (Section 1.12.8, as amended)
How to Pay Fees
The Honolulu Fire Department review fee must be paid before plans can be approved.
Payment options:
- In person at our office:
- 1042 Young Street
- Honolulu, HI 96814
- Attach payment to plans for review
- Mail payment to:
- Plans Checking Section
- Honolulu Fire Department
- 636 South Street
- Honolulu, HI 96813
Make check or money order payable to City and County of Honolulu.
Should you have questions, please call: 808-723-7090.
Automatic Fire Extinguishing Systems for Commercial Cooking Equipment
In existing systems, when changes in the cooking media, positioning, operation and use, replacement of cooking equipment, or changes in ownership occur, the fire extinguishing system shall comply with NFPA 1, 2012, Chapter 50, Commercial Cooking Equipment.
Automatic fire extinguishing systems shall comply with American National Standards Institute/Underwriters Laboratories 300, Standard for Fire Testing of Fire Extinguishing Systems for Protection of Restaurant Cooking Areas or other equivalent standards and shall be installed in accordance with the requirements of the listing.
An acceptance test shall be performed prior to commencing initial cooking operations. A satisfactory acceptance test of the system shall be made in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions. The acceptance test shall be of an approved method and witnessed by the Authority Having Jurisdiction.
Fees
Initial Inspection Fee: $100
Reinspection Fee: $100
How to Pay Fees
Payment can be made via check or money order directly to the Fire Inspector at the time of inspection.
Make check or money order payable to the City and County of Honolulu.
Should you have questions, please call 808-723-7090.
Fire Alarm Systems Acceptance Test Inspection
After the licensed fire alarm contractor has finished installation of the fire alarm system and/or modification and all construction is complete for the building permit, the fire alarm company may request an acceptance test inspection. The acceptance test inspection must be finished and approved by the Fire Inspector prior to occupying the unit.
Fire Watch
Fire watch is required where a required fire alarm system, fire sprinkler system, or standpipe system is out of service for more than 4 hours in a 24-hour period. Submit a letter to the Office of the Fire Chief outlining a fire watch plan. Approval of this plan is required.
Fees
- 1-100 devices or appliances:
- Initial Fee: $100
- Retest Fee: $200
- 101-250 devices or appliances:
- Initial Fee: $250
- Retest Fee: $250
- More than 250 devices or appliances:
- Initial Fee: $500
- Retest Fee: $500
How to Pay Fees
Payment can be made via check or money order directly to the Fire Inspector at the time of inspection.
Make check or money order payable to the City and County of Honolulu.
Should you have questions, please call 808-723-7090.
