ENGINEERING DIVISION

Department of Public Works, County of Kauai

4444 Rice Street, Suite 175, Lihue, HI 96766

Phone: 808-241-6619 Fax:

For the approval of building permit applications, the Engineering Division administers the Grading and Flood Ordinances and provides review and approve flood studies to minimize construction of buildings and structures in flood prone areas. Other responsibilities include the assignment of house numbering and review for access and parking.

A grading permit is required for the following areas:

1. For areas which involve excavation or fill in excess of 100 cubic yards.

2. For areas which the grading work unreasonably alters the existing drainage patterns of abutting properties.

3. For areas which the grading work involves cuts or fills in excess of 5 feet.

A grubbing permit is required when clearing or grubbing more than one acre of land, or when such work unreasonably affects the drainage pattern of abutting properties. A separate grubbing permit is not required when grubbing activities are performed in conjunction with a validly issued grading permit.

A stockpiling permit is required when stockpile quantities equal or exceed 500 cubic yards of material.

For the review and approval of building permits for buildings or structures located within flood prone areas, the following provision are required:

Parcels located within the flood fringe:

1. All new construction and substantial improvement of residential structures shall have its lowest floor elevated to or above the base flood elevation, and noted on the building plans. For non- residential structures its lowest floor must be elevated to or above the base flood elevation, or flood-proofed one-foot above the base flood elevation. The lowest floor elevation shall be noted on the building plans.

Parcels located within the floodway:

1. A professional civil engineer is required to conduct a flood study and submit a no-rise certification and calculations, as well as flood mitigation measures.

2. The owner is required to submit a Flood Waiver and Indemnity Agreement and have it recorded with the Bureau of Conveyance.

Parcels located within the coastal high hazard areas:

1. All new construction and substantial improvements to buildings and structures shall have its lowest framing member elevated to or above the base flood elevation, and noted on the building plans.

For all parcels located within the flood fringe, floodway or coastal high hazard areas , an Elevation Certification shall be completed and submitted by either a surveyor or professional civil engineer licensed and registered in the State of Hawaii, to the Division of Engineering, after the lowest floor or framing member is constructed.

All building plans shall be designed and stamped by a professional structural engineer or architect licensed and registered in the State of Hawaii. A structural certification is required by the designer.