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Hawaii building code

The residential code in Hawaii is the HAWAII STATE RESIDENTIAL CODE1, effective 1.

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On this page
  1. Codes in force in Hawaii
  2. Scope, amendments and transition rules
  3. How Hawaii adopts building codes
  4. Sources

Codes in force in Hawaii

Each code family with the edition and the date it took effect, as the adopting agency or statute states them.

CodeTitle as adoptedModel editionEffectiveAdopted by
International Residential Code (IRC)HAWAII STATE RESIDENTIAL CODE1201811Hawaii State Building Code Council1
International Building Code (IBC)HAWAII STATE BUILDING CODE2201822Hawaii State Building Code Council2
International Existing Building Code (IEBC)HAWAII STATE EXISTING BUILDING CODE3201833Hawaii State Building Code Council3
Energy code, residentialHawai‘i State Energy Code4201844Hawaii State Building Code Council4
Energy code, commercialHawai‘i State Energy Code4201844Hawaii State Building Code Council4
Uniform Plumbing Code (UPC)Hawaii State Plumbing Code5201855Hawaii State Building Code Council6
State codeState Fire Code6202467State Fire Council6

Scope, amendments and transition rules

International Residential Code (IRC)

Scope
Statewide; applies everywhere8
Applies to
All construction in the State; counties adopt by ordinance8
Local amendments allowed?
Yes9
Amendments
HRS § 107-289
Transition period
November 17, 20221

International Building Code (IBC)

Scope
Statewide; applies everywhere8
Applies to
All construction in the State; counties adopt by ordinance8
Local amendments allowed?
Yes9
Amendments
HRS § 107-289
Transition period
April 20, 20232

International Existing Building Code (IEBC)

Scope
Statewide; applies everywhere8
Applies to
All construction in the State; counties adopt by ordinance8
Local amendments allowed?
Yes9
Amendments
HRS § 107-289
Transition period
November 17, 20223

Energy code, residential

Scope
Statewide; applies everywhere8
Applies to
All construction in the State; counties adopt by ordinance8
Local amendments allowed?
Yes9
Amendments
HRS § 107-289
Transition period
December 15, 20224

Energy code, commercial

Scope
Statewide; applies everywhere8
Applies to
All construction in the State; counties adopt by ordinance8
Local amendments allowed?
Yes9
Amendments
HRS § 107-289
Transition period
December 15, 20224

Uniform Plumbing Code (UPC)

Scope
Statewide; applies everywhere8
Applies to
All construction in the State; counties adopt by ordinance8
Local amendments allowed?
Yes9
Amendments
HRS § 107-289

State code

Scope
Statewide; applies everywhere8

How Hawaii adopts building codes

HRS §§ 107-24, 107-25, 107-28; Twenty-First Proclamation Relating to Affordable Housing (Sept. 8, 2026)

  • Statewide codes established by statute. There is established the Hawaii state building codes applicable to all construction in the State of Hawaii.8
  • Council adopts codes within two years of publication (currently suspended). The council shall adopt, amend, or update codes and standards identified in section 107-25 on a staggered basis as established by the council; provided that adoption of a code or standard shall be within two years of the official publication date of the code or standard, pursuant to chapter 92, and exempt from the requirements of chapter 91.10
  • Counties amend and adopt without council approval. The governing body of each county shall amend, adopt, and update the Hawaii state building codes as they apply within their respective jurisdiction, in accordance with section 46-1.5(13), without approval of the council.9
  • State code becomes interim county code after two years (currently suspended). If a county does not amend the Hawaii state building codes within the two-year time frame, the Hawaii state building codes shall become applicable as an interim county building code.9
  • Council power to update codes suspended. Section 107-24(c), HRS, Authority and duties of the council, to the extent necessary to suspend the ability of the State Building Code Council to amend or update the Hawai‘i state building codes to allow for consistency and stability in the construction of housing.11
  • Two-year county default deadline suspended. Section 107-28, HRS, County authority to amend and adopt the Hawai‘i state building codes without council approval, to the extent necessary to suspend the two-year default deadline for counties to adopt state building codes.11
  • Counties may still update county codes. Counties may still update county building codes.11
  • Effective November 7, 2026. I FURTHER DECLARE the disaster emergency relief period shall commence immediately and continue through November 7, 2026, unless terminated or superseded by separate proclamation, whichever shall occur first.11

For permits, exemptions and owner-builder rules, see Hawaii building permits. To compare editions across states, see the code adoption map.

Sources

  1. Hawaii State Residential CodeState of Hawaii, Department of Accounting and General Services, State Building Code CouncilAdopted November 17, 2020Checked November 5, 2026
  2. Hawaii State Building CodeState of Hawaii, Department of Accounting and General Services, State Building Code CouncilAdopted April 20, 2021Checked November 5, 2026
  3. Hawaii State Existing Building CodeState of Hawaii, Department of Accounting and General Services, State Building Code CouncilAdopted November 17, 2020Checked November 5, 2026
  4. Hawaii State Energy Code Amendments to the 2018 IECCState of Hawaii, Department of Accounting and General Services, State Building Code CouncilAdopted December 15, 2020Checked November 5, 2026
  5. Hawaii State Plumbing CodeState of Hawaii, Department of Accounting and General Services, State Building Code CouncilEffective May 19, 2020Checked November 5, 2026
  6. Building Code Rules - Building Code CouncilState of Hawaii, Department of Accounting and General Services, State Building Code CouncilChecked November 5, 2026
  7. Hawaii State Fire CodeState of Hawaii, State Fire CouncilEffective September 5, 2025Checked November 5, 2026
  8. HRS 107-25State of Hawaii, Hawaii Revised Statutes (Legislature)Checked November 5, 2026
  9. HRS 107-28State of Hawaii, Hawaii Revised Statutes (Legislature)Checked November 5, 2026
  10. HRS 107-24State of Hawaii, Hawaii Revised Statutes (Legislature)Checked November 5, 2026
  11. Twenty-First Proclamation Relating to Affordable HousingState of Hawaii, Office of the GovernorAdopted September 8, 2026Checked November 5, 2026