Hawaii, Hawaii County Electrician Permit Regulations and County Ordinances for Unincorporated Areas
Hawaii County Electrician Permit Requirements
In Hawaii County, a permit is generally required for all building, electrical, and plumbing work on or to a building or structure. This includes new construction, additions, alterations, repairs, renovations, demolitions, and moving structures. Electrical work specifically requires a permit and must be performed by a licensed electrical contractor, or by a homeowner who is a licensed journey worker electrician for work on their single-family dwelling that they will personally occupy.
The County of Hawai'i's Department of Public Works, Building Division, is responsible for enforcing compliance with building, electrical, and plumbing codes.
Unincorporated Areas
The rules for properties in unincorporated areas of Hawaii County are the same as for incorporated areas, as the county's building and electrical codes apply county-wide. A permit is required for electrical work regardless of whether the property is in an incorporated or unincorporated area.
Permit Issuance and Contractor Requirements
- Permits for electrical work can only be issued to and completed by a licensed electrical contractor.
- A homeowner may obtain a permit for electrical work on their single-family dwelling if they are a licensed journey worker electrician and will personally occupy and use the home.
- Work regulated by the construction code must be performed by a contractor licensed under Chapter 444 of the Hawai'i Revised Statutes.
- At least half of the individuals performing electrical work on a construction job site for an electrical contractor must be licensed.
- Licensed workers must visibly display their license on their person while on the construction job site.
Electrical and plumbing permits are not transferable to another licensed contractor by the Hawai'i County Code.
Exemptions
A permit is not required for the following electrical work:
- Electrical work and installations to which the provisions of the construction code and the electrical code are expressly declared to be not applicable.
- Existing electrical installations that complied with the applicable laws in effect when the electrical work was performed.
- Installation of any portable motor or other portable appliance energized by means of a cord or cable with an attachment plug, provided the cord or cable is permitted by the electrical code.
- Replacing receptacles and switches.
- Maintenance work by a licensed electrician.
- Emergency electrical work performed by an individual to whom a permit will be issued for the work completed or ongoing.
However, these exceptions do not apply to repairs or replacements of electrical devices, apparatus, or appliances originally installed without a permit or when energized by or part of any hazardous or illegal wiring system.