Need an after-the-fact permit in Honolulu? Get clear next steps.
If completed work may need an after-the-fact permit, send the information you have. A local architectural professional can review the issue, identify what it appears to involve, and recommend the next step.
Photos, old plans, permit records, inspection notes, DPP messages, or a brief description are enough to start.
No Obligation
Tell us what work was already done and what raised the permit concern.
What is an after-the-fact permit?
An after-the-fact permit is a permit for work that has already been done.
It may come up when a remodel, addition, enclosed lanai, garage conversion, bathroom, deck, exterior change, or other improvement was completed before the permit issue was handled.
Sometimes the work was done by the current homeowner. Sometimes it was done years ago by a previous owner.
You do not need to know whether an after-the-fact permit is definitely required before asking for help. If something raised the concern, send the information you have.
After-the-fact permit issues usually start with a discovery.
Many homeowners do not start out looking for an after-the-fact permit. They find out there may be a permit problem because of an inspection, sale, refinance, contractor, permit record, HNL Build message, or notice from the Honolulu Department of Planning and Permitting, often called DPP.
- You discovered old work that may not have permits.
- A buyer's inspection flagged completed work.
- Escrow or a realtor asked for permit records before closing.
- A lender or appraiser raised a concern during refinancing.
- A contractor said old work may need to be permitted before new work can start.
- DPP sent a notice, comment, or message about completed work.
- Permit records do not appear to match the home as it exists today.
- A previous owner may have completed work without clear documentation.
Completed work can still create permit questions later.
A permit issue does not always show up when the work is first done. It may appear years later during a sale, refinance, inspection, appraisal, remodel, complaint, or permit records search.
The next step depends on the property, the work involved, what records show, and what DPP or another party is asking for.
That is why guessing can waste time. A document-first review helps identify what the issue appears to involve and what the next step may be.
After-the-Fact Permit Check
This page may be for you if…
- Work was completed before the permit issue was addressed.
- You discovered an enclosed lanai, garage conversion, addition, bathroom, deck, or remodel may not match records.
- A buyer, inspector, realtor, lender, or appraiser raised a permit concern.
- You received a DPP notice, comment, or message about completed work.
- You are trying to sell or refinance and need to understand the permit issue.
- A contractor said old work may need to be addressed before new work can start.
- A previous owner may have completed the work.
- You have photos, old plans, permit records, or a message but are not sure what they mean.
Send the document, message, photo, or details that explain the completed work or permit concern.
You do not need to prepare a perfect file. Send the information you already have. A local architectural professional can start with photos, old plans, inspection notes, permit records, DPP messages, or a brief description.
- Photos of the work or area in question
- Old plans or drawings
- Permit record screenshots
- DPP notice, letter, comment, or HNL Build message
- Home inspection report
- Escrow or realtor email
- Lender or appraiser condition
- Contractor note or invoice
- Brief written description of what happened
Send the after-the-fact permit issue for review.
Upload photos, old plans, permit records, DPP messages, inspection notes, or screenshots — or briefly describe what happened. A local architectural professional will review what you send and recommend the next step.
No Obligation
Tell us what work was already done and what raised the permit concern.
The right next step depends on the work, records, and what is being asked.
After-the-fact permit issues are not one-size-fits-all. The next step may depend on what was built, when it was done, what records exist, whether there was a final inspection, and what DPP or another party is requesting.
The review can help identify what completed work appears to be involved and how it may relate to permit records or city requirements.
Photos, old plans, permit history, inspection notes, DPP messages, appraiser comments, and property records may all help clarify the situation.
Depending on what is found, the next step may involve documentation, drawings, permit research, an after-the-fact permit path, or another recommended direction. No city outcome can be guaranteed.
After-the-fact permit questions
Related issues homeowners often search for
Completed work raised a permit concern? Send the information you have.
You do not need to figure it out first. Send photos, records, a DPP message, inspection note, old plans, or a brief description and get a plain-language review from a local architectural professional.