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+--- Thread: shed on ground, permits? (/showthread.php?tid=23830)
shed on ground, permits? - Ccat - 02-15-2026
I need to build an equipment shed. 3 sided, shed roof, on the ground. About a 3 car garage size.
Does this require a building permit?
RE: shed on ground, permits? - HiloJulie - 02-16-2026
To the best of my knowledge, anything over 120 square feet, more than one story and/or having electrical and/or plumbing run to it must have a permit.
RE: shed on ground, permits? - Rob Tucker - 02-16-2026
Depends on if you are R zoned or ag zoned.
RE: shed on ground, permits? - ironyak - 02-21-2026
Most sources seem to point to this for Hawai'i Country:
https://records.hawaiicounty.gov/Weblink/1/edoc/88314/exception%20from%20hcc%205-19.1(a)(18).pdf
https://hawaii-county-public-works-hawaiicountygis.hub.arcgis.com/pages/blg-permit-info#Permit-Excep
Structure must be detached, single-story, and the floor area cannot be greater than 600 square feet for land zoned as agricultural or 120 (or maybe 200? there is a conflict in the sources) square feet for land that is not zoned as agricultural. Electrical and plumbing permits are a separate issue.
There's also state law - https://law.justia.com/codes/hawaii/title-6/chapter-46/section-46-88/
Which allows for a wider range and size of agricultural buildings, although it requires notice to and approval from the County that the project is exempt from requiring a building permit.
Best bet is to CYA and call the Department of County Works and see what they say (and then get that in writing and notarized ;)