Hawaii roofing: permits, codes and approvals

Hawaii's 2018 IRC with county wind maps, energy-code rules for re-roofs, Honolulu's re-roof permit exemption, the C-42 Roofing license, home improvement contract disclosures and the 45-day mechanic's lien filing deadline.

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1 · Product approvals

Product approvals

Hawaii has no state roofing product approval or listing system. County inspectors rely on the code's labeling rules and evaluation reports (ICC-ES, UL, etc.); asphalt shingles must be rated for the site's design wind speed (IRC R905.2.4).

Code evaluation reports (ICC-ES, UL, IAPMO): 48 roofing reports

2 · Permit forms

City re-roof permits

No statewide re-roof permit rule. Each county (Honolulu, Hawaii, Maui, Kauai) runs its own building department and permit exemptions.

Honolulu (City & County)Re-roofing a house (Group R-3 or U) is exempt from a building permit if the work will not adversely affect structural components; after storms, emergency work can start without a permit if the application is filed the next working day.Maui CountyA building permit is required for construction, alteration, repair or demolition of structures; the county page lists no re-roof exemption, so confirm with Development Services Administration in Wailuku.Hawaii County (Hilo, Kona)County Code 5-3-22 exempts re-roofing with like material on homes (R-3/U) from a building permit when no structural, electrical or plumbing work is involved; other roof work needs a permit.

3 · Code rules

Code rules

The State Building Code Council adopted the 2018 IRC as the State Residential Code (effective Nov 17, 2020) and the 2018 IECC with Hawaii amendments (Dec 15, 2020). Counties adopt and amend these locally, and the state's two-year county adoption deadline is currently suspended. Official adoption page ↗

Wind design at 130 mph and upHawaii replaces the IRC wind maps with county and island maps. Where the design wind speed is 130 mph or more, the IRC prescriptive wind rules can't be used and wind design is required.Continuous uplift load pathHawaii's IRC amendments require a continuous load path to carry roof uplift forces down to the foundation (R802.11.1), and shingles must be rated for the design wind speed (R905.2.4).Re-roofing an uninsulated roof (energy code R503.1.1)When a roof without cavity insulation is replaced and the sheathing or insulation is exposed, Hawaii's energy amendments call for added insulation (R-19 or R-30) or cool-roof, radiant barrier or attic-ventilation options. Check your county's adopted version.Cool roof spec in the energy codeWhere a cool roof is used for compliance, it needs a 3-year aged solar reflectance of 0.55 and thermal emittance of 0.75, or a 3-year aged SRI of 64; radiant barriers need emissivity of 0.05 or less.

4 · Wind, fire and storm programs

Wind, fire and storm programs

No active state FORTIFIED grant or roof insurance-discount program was confirmed. Honolulu has storm-response permit rules for emergency roof repairs.

Honolulu emergency storm repairsEmergency repair work may start without a permit if a permit application is submitted the next working day and the work doesn't expand the structure's size, height or area. Homes in a flood zone with repairs at 50% or more of market value may have to meet current flood rules.

5 · License and insurance

License and insurance

Yes. The Contractors License Board (DCCA) licenses roofers under the C-42 Roofing classification. A license is needed for any job over $1,500 in labor and materials, or any job needing a building permit regardless of price (HRS 444-2).

C-42 Roofing contractorCovers metal, shingle, shake, tile, built-up, modified bitumen, single-ply, fluid and spray foam roofing, roof coatings and flashing. Narrower classes: C-42a metal shingles, C-42b wood shingles/shakes, C-42c concrete and clay tile, C-42e urethane foam, C-42g roof coatings.$1,500 threshold (HRS 444-2)Jobs with total labor and materials of $1,500 or less are exempt, but the exemption doesn't apply to any job that needs a building permit.Experience and examsAt least 4 years of supervisory experience in the past 10 years, three notarized experience certificates, a CPA-prepared financial statement, and Part I (business and law) and Part II (trade) exams.Required insuranceLiability of $100,000 per person and $300,000 per occurrence bodily injury, plus $50,000 property damage, and workers' comp (sole owners without employees file a Board form). A lapse automatically forfeits the license.General contractors' automatic roofing classesB general building contractors automatically hold C-42a and C-42b, but not the full C-42 Roofing class (HAR 16-77-32).

6 · Lien and contract forms

Lien and contract rules

Hawaii liens are filed as an application in circuit court within 45 days after the date of completion. Before signing a home job, licensed contractors must explain lien and bond rights and give a signed written contract.

Home improvement contract disclosures (HRS 444-25.5)Before or at signing, explain lien rights of all parties and the owner's option to require a bond. The written contract must include these, a notice of the right to fix defects before a lawsuit (HRS 672E-11), be signed by both, and be signed before work starts.Lien filing: 45 days (HRS 507-43)File the lien application and notice in circuit court where the property sits within 45 days after the date of completion, and serve the owner like a summons.Date of completion and notice of completionCompletion is set by a notice of completion published twice, 7 days apart, plus an affidavit filed with the court. A contractor may publish only if the owner doesn't within 5 days of a written demand. With no notice, completion is deemed one year after actual completion.Who can lien and for how much (HRS 507-42)Anyone furnishing labor or materials to improve real property, including subs and suppliers, has a lien for the agreed price, or fair value if the price exceeds value or none was agreed.Door-to-door sales: 3-day cancel (HRS 481C)Sales solicited in person and signed away from your business address can be canceled until midnight of the third business day. Owner-requested repair visits and documented emergencies (with a handwritten waiver) are excluded.

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Public records, last checked Oct 23, 2026. Always verify on the official source before you permit.