Got a DPP notice or permit problem? Get clear next steps
Send a DPP notice, correction comment, inspection report, escrow email, screenshot, or photo — or briefly describe what happened. A local architectural professional will review what you send and recommend the next step.
A clear photo, screenshot, pasted message, or brief description is fine.
No Obligation
Permit problems rarely show up in plain language.
A permit issue can appear as a notice from the Honolulu Department of Planning and Permitting, often called DPP, a correction comment, inspection note, HNL Build message, escrow email, lender condition, permit record, or a concern about unpermitted work.
You may know something needs attention, but not know what the city is asking for, whether it affects your sale or project, or who should help.
That is why the first step is simple: send what raised the concern. A local architectural professional can review what you send, identify what the issue appears to involve, and recommend the next step.
Dept. of Planning & Permitting
Common Honolulu permit problems homeowners run into.
If it came from DPP, HNL Build, an inspector, a buyer, a lender, or a contractor, start by sending the document. You do not need to choose the perfect category.
- Unpermitted WorkYou discovered an addition, enclosed space, remodel, lanai, garage conversion, or other work that may not have permits.→
- Selling With Unpermitted WorkA buyer, inspector, appraiser, realtor, or escrow issue has raised a permit concern before closing.→
- After-the-Fact PermitsWork was already completed, and now you may need drawings, documentation, or a permit path after the fact.→
- Refinancing With Unpermitted WorkA lender, appraiser, or refinance condition has raised a concern about permits or property records.→
- Notice of Violation / Code ViolationYou received an official notice involving your property and need help understanding what it appears to require.→
- Stop Work OrdersWork has been paused, and you need to understand what permit-related issue may need to be addressed.→
- DPP Correction NoticesYour permit application or plans came back with comments, corrections, or missing requirements.→
- HNL Build Prescreen or Permit DelayYour permit is stuck, rejected, delayed, or unclear in the HNL Build process.→
- Plan Check CommentsYour plans were reviewed and came back with technical comments that need a response.→
- Inspection IssuesAn inspection found something that does not match the permit, plans, or expected condition.→
- Historic Review / SHPD DelayYour property or project may involve older-home or historic review questions.→
- Shoreline Setback / SMA IssuesYour property may involve coastal, shoreline, or Special Management Area permit concerns.→
- FAR / Large Home ComplianceYour plans may involve floor area, lot coverage, large-home standards, or related residential development limits.→
Not sure which one applies? Send the notice and we’ll help identify what it appears to involve.
Three steps to understanding your permit problem.
Take a photo, upload a PDF, paste a message, or describe what happened. A notice, screenshot, inspection note, correction comment, escrow email, permit record, or photo is enough to start.
What you send is reviewed carefully to understand what the issue appears to involve and what kind of permit problem it may be.
If the issue is something local architectural help can assist with, you’ll receive a clear recommended next step and what that may involve.
Honolulu permit problems are not generic.
Honolulu homeowners deal with local DPP procedures, HNL Build, older homes, after-the-fact permit issues, plan check comments, zoning questions, inspections, shoreline rules, and property records that may not be simple to interpret.
A generic online answer may not match your property or your notice.
A local architectural professional can review the actual document, look at the issue in context, and help you understand the likely path forward.
- Local Honolulu and O‘ahu permit experience
- Plain-language explanation of the issue
- Document-first review process
- No obligation after you send the information you have
- Phone photos accepted
This is for you if…
- You received a DPP notice and do not know what it means.
- Your plans came back with correction comments.
- You were told you may need an after-the-fact permit.
- You discovered unpermitted work on your property.
- A stop work order or inspection issue has paused your project.
- A permit problem is affecting a sale or refinance.
- Your permit is stuck in HNL Build or plan review.
- You have a document, screenshot, or photo but are not sure what to do next.
Send the information you have. A clear phone photo is enough.
You do not need a notice from the Honolulu Department of Planning and Permitting (DPP) to ask for help
Many homeowners wait because they think they need to understand the notice, email, inspection note, permit record, or issue before reaching out.
You do not.
What raised the concern is the starting point.
Send the document, screenshot, photo, message, or brief description. A local architectural professional can review what you send, identify what the issue appears to involve, and recommend the next step if professional help is appropriate.
What homeowners ask us most.
Short answers to the questions we hear from O‘ahu homeowners every week.
Send the information you have. Get clear next steps.
A brief description, a phone photo, or a forwarded message is enough to start.
No Obligation