Lihue Building Department | Permits, Inspections & Contact

The County of Kauaʻi Planning Department administers zoning and land-use review for Kauaʻi County. Planning approval and building approval are related but separate tracks: the Planning Department determines which land-use permits or zoning clearances are needed, while the Department of Public Works Building Division handles building and trade permits and inspections.

Kauai zoning and land-use permits

Before designing or applying for construction, check the County’s Comprehensive Zoning Ordinance and confirm the property’s zoning district, permitted use, setbacks, development standards, and any special management area or other overlay requirements. The Planning Department’s Regulatory Permit Division administers zoning and special management area rules and advises applicants about the correct application.

The County’s permits-and-land-use directory links planning forms, zoning information, the General Plan, project documents, and the Building Division’s permit-status resources. A land-use permit or zoning approval may be required for a change of use, subdivision, shoreline or special management area work, or other development even when the final construction permit is issued by Public Works.

Building inspections and occupancy coordination

Kauaʻi building inspections are handled by the Public Works Building Division. Coordinate any planning conditions with the building permit, approved plans, and inspection sequence. Final inspections and outstanding agency approvals should be resolved before the owner relies on the space for its intended occupancy or use.

For a permit application, use Public Works’ Building Division resources and the County’s permit-status entry point. For land-use questions, contact Planning directly and provide the parcel address or tax-map information so staff can identify the relevant zoning and permit path.

Planning Department contact

The Kauaʻi Planning Department’s published phone number is (808) 241-4050. The County’s official directory should be checked for the current office suite and public-counter details before an in-person visit. Use the official zoning-and-land-use page for current applications and the Building Division page for building permits, ePlan submissions, permit status, and inspections.