Fees, valuation & enforcement
Permit fees are a project input. Enforcement exposure is a project risk. Use the official schedule where available, then confirm valuation, trade permits, plan review, and inspection charges with the Authority Having Jurisdiction.
Official fee pathway
The final charge may depend on declared construction value, occupancy classification, square footage, plan review, state surcharges, trade permits, technology fees, and inspection activity. Do not use a neighboring city’s fee table as a substitute for this jurisdiction.
Fee desk contact
808-270-7250; building plan review: 808-270-7236
Ask the counter to confirm current charges before submitting a project with multiple trades or a change of use.
Financial exposure
Plan for building, mechanical, plumbing, electrical, fire, energy, zoning, septic, right-of-way, or other reviews that the project scope triggers. The lowest initial permit fee is not always the lowest project cost.
Enforcement exposure
When work begins without authorization, the agency may halt the site, require corrective plans, impose additional fees, withhold inspection release, or require concealed work to be exposed for review.
Closeout exposure
A missing final inspection or certificate can complicate occupancy, refinancing, sale, insurance, and utility connection. Preserve the approved plans and signed inspection record through closeout.
Professional field note
Even when a cosmetic or minor project does not require a building permit, zoning, floodplain, shoreline, historic, utility, fire, or right-of-way controls may still apply. Confirm the full jurisdictional picture before work starts.
Source trail
Use these direct agency or licensing links to confirm current instructions before you file, pay, or schedule work. External pages control if their information differs from this directory.
Project questions
County of Maui Department of Public Works, Development Services Administration, Building Permit Section is the identified county-level authority for this profile. Confirm that the property is in its service area before filing.
Begin with the online permit gateway listed in the application guide. If the portal does not recognize the address or project type, contact 808-270-7250; building plan review: 808-270-7236.
N/A; Maui County does not publish a dependable general building-permit review time. Review duration varies because the application may be routed concurrently to multiple County and State approving agencies.
Log into MAPPS Customer Self Service, open My Work or the Inspections tab for the permit case, and select REQUEST INSPECTIONS. MAPPS also displays inspection results. For assistance call 808-270-7250. Work performed without required inspections must be exposed for inspection; concealed work may require certification by a Hawaii-licensed contractor, architect, or structural engineer plus a recorded hold-harmless agreement, and a County final inspection is still required.
2018 International Building Code with Maui County amendments in Chapter 16.26C; 2018 International Residential Code with Hawaii amendments; 2018 International Existing Building Code with Hawaii amendments; 2018 International Energy Conservation Code with Hawaii and Maui County amendments; Maui County Chapter 16.25 administrative and supplemental provisions; applicable electrical and plumbing codes; NFPA 1 Fire Code with Hawaii and Maui amendments; and applicable zoning, flood-hazard, grading, driveway, wastewater, accessibility, and state requirements. Current Chapter 16.25 exemptions include qualifying one-story detached accessory structures up to 120 square feet; certain detached agricultural buildings up to 200 square feet; low detached unroofed decks; qualifying above-ground prefabricated residential pools up to 5,000 gallons; reroofing of qualifying one- and two-family dwellings and their accessory structures when structural components are not adversely affected; roof-mounted antennas and solar panels; qualifying window awnings; painting, papering, tiling, carpeting, cabinets, countertops, shelves, and similar finish work; nonfixed cases, racks, counters, and partitions up to 5 feet 9 inches; certain like-for-like system replacements; qualifying fences, retaining walls, site work, recreational structures, temporary tents, and maintenance repairs costing no more than $15,000 per structure in a 12-month period. Other laws and zoning still apply.
Why permit costs vary
Building departments commonly calculate charges from valuation, occupancy, floor area, project type, plan review effort, trade scope, state surcharges, and inspection activity. A remodel that appears small on paper may still trigger structural, energy, fire, or utility review. Ask the permit counter which disciplines apply before you finalize the construction budget.
The same discipline applies to enforcement. Correcting unpermitted work after finishes are installed can require demolition, revised plans, additional inspections, and schedule disruption. Authorization is usually the less expensive project-management decision.