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1. When is an Electrical Permit Required?

A County Electrical permit is required for any new electrical construction work on Privately Owned Properties or Structures, and certain Public Facilities for installations such as, but not limited to, New Lighting, Receptacle Outlets, Electrical Service Equipment for Utility Connections, Electrical connections to Appliances, Air Conditioning Equipment, Water Heaters, including Solar Water Heaters, Generators, including Wind Generators, Solar Photovoltaic Power Systems, Fire Alarm Systems, Burglar Alarm Systems, Landscape Lighting Systems, Electrical wiring for Swimming Pool Equipment, such as Pumps and Pool Lights, and other systems or equipment involving electrical connections.

2. Who can apply for an Electrical Permit?

Electrical Permits are generally issued only to State of Hawaii Licensed Electrical Contractors for work within the scope of their license classifications. A State of Hawaii licensed Supervising Electrician or Journey Worker can apply for a Electrical Permit for their Owner Occupied dwelling only. There are no other Home Owner-Builder Exemptions or Handy Man Exemptions for Electrical Work in Hawaii. Hawaii State Law requires anyone performing Electrical installations to be a State Licensed Electrician, HRS 448E. Anyone offering their services to the Public to perform electrical installations in exchange for payment is also required to be a State Licensed Electrical Contractor, HRS 444. State of Hawaii DCC/PVL

3. Where can I apply for an Electrical Permit?

Electrical Permit Applications can be obtained from the Department of Public Works, Development Services Administration, Electrical Section. Their Office is located behind the Kahului Shopping Center at 86 West Kamehameha Avenue, Kahului, Hawaii. Phone (808) 270-7255. Office Hours are from 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM, Hawaii Standard Time, Monday thru Friday, except County Holidays. 1 set of Project Drawings may be required to be submitted with the permit applications. Depending on the Project scope and size, these drawings may also be required to have been approved, stamped and signed by a State of Hawaii licensed Electrical Engineer. Completed applications, along with other required documents should be submitted to their office for review and permit issuance. Electrical Permit Office Location

4. What Electrical Code has Maui County Adopted?

Maui County currently administers and enforces the 1999 National Electrical Code, with County amendments. These amendments can be found in Maui County Code, Chapter 16.18A. MCC, Chapter 16.18A

5. Are there any other Codes or Regulations that apply to Electrical Work?

Electrical installations must also comply with the County’s Energy Code, MCC Chapter 16.16, and the County’s Outdoor Lighting regulations, MCC Chapter 20.35. Electrical installations involving utility service connections should also be coordinated with Maui Electric Company’s Engineering Office, Phone: (808) 871-2390. MCC Chapter 20.35

6. What installations need to be inspected and how do I request an inspection?

1. All new wiring, raceways, enclosures and boxes to be concealed by backfill, concrete, drywall, or other materials that will prevent a thorough inspection must be inspected before concealment.

2. All wiring devices and equipment connections, including service equipment, must also be completed and inspected before they can be energized. Utility Service connections will not be authorized until this inspection is approved.

3. Once the installation is energized, a Final Inspection is required to confirm the installation is working properly. A Final inspection approval is required to close the permit. Failure to obtain a Final Inspection Approval will cause the permit to eventually expire.

Inspection request must be made in writing by the Permit Holder only. A inspection request form is available from the Development Services Administration’s Electrical Section. This form must be completed and signed by the Electrical Contractor or Permit Holder. Request are required to be submitted at least 24 hours before the inspection is needed, excluding weekends & County Holidays. After the inspection is conducted, the inspection results will be noted on the bottom of the request form and returned back to the Electrical Contractor.

7. How long is a permit valid and when does it expire?

An electrical permit will expire in 180 days after issuance if no inspection is approved. The permit will also expire if no inspection approval is made within 180 days of the last inspection approval. To keep your Electrical Permit active, you must obtain an inspection approval every 180 days, until you obtain a Final Inspection Approval. If the project is being delayed or suspended, the Permit Holder can request in writing, up to 2-180 day time extensions. This will allow you an additional 360 days to obtain an inspection approval. If no Inspection approval has been made after 360 days, the permit will expire. Before work can be restarted, a new permit must be issued for the project. If the project scope has not changed from the original permit, and the expiration has not exceeded 1 year, the fee for the new permit will ½ of the original permit fee.

8. How do I report unpermitted or hazardous electrical work?

You can report unpermitted or hazardous electrical work through the County’s Request For Service (RFS) process. You can enter your request on-line or by contacting the Development Services Administration Office at 270-7379. You will be required to complete a form specifying the request and the location on the installation. You must also provide your name and contact information so the investigating inspector can contact you for more information and let you know the results of the investigation. Failure to provide valid contact information will cause the request to be discarded. The County will not investigate anonymous request.
County RFS System