SMA for roof replacement??

[Julie Languille]

We were being good citizens and applying for a permit to do some repair - replace roof, siding and window - all like for like except the roof which was composite and we are going metal. (we have two later phases planned which involve moving some interior walls, some plumbing and electrical moves).

My husband has gone in six time to apply and each time he is told something else is needed, the last being an SMA thing. They have not let him file a permit.

Meanwhile the roofing material sits, the guys are ready and the scaffolding is ready. We'd like to begin. The roof is really bad and our home inspection uncovered some issues with wet wood and the fascia is trashed - it's got some metal wrapping around sodden and crumbly wood and the rain pours between the roof and the fascia.

Here's my question - what will happen if we start work before we get the SMA? What will the SMA require us to do? We are about 80' to the water. We can put up some ag fencing in the off chance that some shingle decides to fly 100' from the front of the house and into the ocean. So say they come out, we have fencing up, and our roof replacement is underway - what is likely to happen?

UPDATE: ok so I researched the SMA law and in the definitions setions, it explicitly excludes residential building under 7500 square feet AND repair, maintenance or interior alteration of existing structions. WTF???

[Rob Tucker]

I have had similar problems with the building department. It has become amateur hour down there. They make up code and rules which have no basis in code. County code exemptions exist for roof, window and siding replacement (Sec. 5-19-3).

I would suggest you call the Mayor's office and complain loudly. Call your Council rep and complain loudly. Neil Erickson in the building department told me they prefer to handle things on a "case by case" basis. That is not equal treatment under the law. That is ripe for abuse. They let their friends off the hook and treat everyone else badly with zero concern for the cost inflicted on the general public.

I am sorry to hear the aggravation you are experiencing. I suggest you aggravate them back. Get a lawyer in the room with them and they will suddenly claim they never said this or that. Communicate with them in writing only. Verbal means nothing.

Good luck. Push back. They are amateurs pretending to be professionals. Or to be more generous, they are professionals putting in amateur performances.

[kalakoa]

Get a lawyer in the room with them

Be sure to ask why housing is so expensive.

they are professionals putting in amateur performances

Only if said performance is evaluated from the perspective of "building" -- they're doing an excellent job of "growth management".

[Julie Languille]

Found it: Re-roofing work with like material and installation of siding to existing exterior walls which will not affect the structural components of the walls for Groups R-3 and U Occupancies.

The roof used to be composite and we are now going metal - so it is not "like" materials.

What do you think?

[kalakoa]

roof used to be composite and we are now going metal

Sounds like a "health and safety" upgrade: stuff grows on composite, metal is stronger.

[Julie Languille]

I emailed Michael Yee - new director - Yee, Michael <Michael.Yee@hawaiicounty.gov>
who referred me to April Surprenant - Surprenant, April <April.Surprenant@hawaiicounty.gov>
who said an SMAA is needed even to document that it is not needed. Hoping that it will be expedited she said.
Esther at the county is out this week, so hopefully next week - 'Imamura, Esther' <Esther.Imamura@hawaiicounty.gov>
Neil Erickson was very nice but said his hands were tied in this matter - Neil.Erickson@hawaiicounty.gov