Kauai County

Kauai County, HI Permits for Metal Carports and Garages

Yes, expect to need both a building permit and a zoning permit for a carport on Kauai, since the county code requires a permit for each structure and treats a carport as a type of private garage. The small-building exemption covers accessory buildings up to 200 square feet used as sheds and similar uses. Planning usually issues the zoning permit before the Building Division approves the building permit. Applications go to both offices at the same time.

Permit office: County of Kauai Department of Public Works, Building Division
Address: 4444 Rice Street, Suite 175, Lihue, HI 96766
Phone: (808) 241-4854
Official county page

When a permit is required

Erecting, enlarging, moving or altering a building or structure, with a separate permit for each (Section 105.1)
A carport is defined in the code as a private garage that is 100 percent open on one side, with 50 percent net openings on another side or the equivalent
Exempt: one-story detached accessory buildings used as tool and storage sheds, playhouses, animal shelters, greenhouses and similar uses up to 200 sq ft, if they comply with zoning, floodplain and Department of Health rules (Section 105.2)
Grading permit for excavation or fill over 100 cubic yards or cuts or fills over 5 ft

Zoning and setbacks

Zoning permits go through the Planning Department at (808) 241-4050, which also handles Special Management Area permits. A county residential handout dated May 1999 lists setbacks of 10 ft in front, 10 ft in the rear, and on the side 5 ft or half the wall height, whichever is greater. It also lists 10 to 30 ft between buildings depending on orientation, and a 50% lot coverage limit. Because that handout is old, confirm current figures against the Comprehensive Zoning Ordinance with Planning. Zoning, height, setback and lot coverage all have to clear before building permit approval.

What to bring

Building Permit Application and Residential Permit Application Checklist
Contractor or Owner-Builder Statement
Zoning Permit Application, filed with Planning
Correct Tax Map Key (TMK)
Plot plan and plan set, with stamps as required under HRS Chapter 464
Elevation Certification for flood fringe, floodway or coastal high hazard parcels

Farm buildings

The Building Division posts its own Agricultural Building Exemption Form for this. The state law behind it, HRS 46-88, sets 1,000 sq ft as the base limit, 1,000 to 8,000 sq ft if the building meets a prescriptive standard, at least two contiguous acres for a commercial farm or ranch, 15 ft between buildings, and an as-built notice within 30 days. It does not apply on state urban district land. Kauai's code separately exempts shade cloth structures for nursery or agricultural use. Ask the Building Division what steel buildings need to show.

Good to know

The plan review stage runs through Kauai's electronic plan review, and staff prescreen file names and formats first, so read the rules before uploading. The county's minimum requirements say plans are stamped by a licensed engineer or architect. Its noted exception is written for wood-framed homes, so ask before assuming it covers steel. You can look up flood status on the Hawaii Flood Hazard Assessment Tool and follow your application on Building Permit Status Online. New applications can be emailed to building@kauai.gov.

Common questions

Do I need a permit for a carport in Kauai County?
Yes, plan on it. Kauai's code treats a carport as a private garage, and its 200 sq ft exemption names sheds and similar accessory uses, not carports. Call (808) 241-4854 if yours is under that size.

Do I need a permit for a metal garage or shed in Kauai County?
A garage needs one. A one-story detached storage shed up to 200 sq ft is exempt from the building permit if it meets zoning, floodplain and Department of Health rules. Bigger than that, apply.

Do I also need a zoning permit on Kauai?
Usually yes. It is filed with the Planning Department along with the building permit, and for a single-family home Planning can generally issue it administratively.

Sources

Rules and fees change. Call the office to confirm before you order.

See the full Hawaii permit guide for statewide rules, farm exemptions and wind and snow ratings.

Looking at buildings? See our metal carports, metal garages and metal buildings.

Ready to design your building?

Design it yourself in 3D with the button below, or call 919-725-8176 and we'll help you figure out what your county needs.

Design Your Building in 3D