HonoluluPermitHelp.com
FAR & Large Home Compliance · Honolulu & O‘ahu

FAR, floor area, or large home permit issue? Get clear next steps.

If your home addition, second story, large remodel, new house plan, or DPP comments mention FAR, floor area, lot coverage, setbacks, large home rules, zoning, or LUO concerns, upload the comment, screenshot, plan sheet, or details. A local architectural professional can review the issue and recommend the next step.

A DPP comment, plan sheet, HNL Build screenshot, zoning note, floor area note, or brief description is enough to start.

Permit Problem ReviewFor Review
No Obligation

Upload the FAR, floor area, or zoning comment causing the issue.

What raised the concern?
Plain-Language Answer

What is an FAR or large home permit issue?

FAR stands for floor area ratio. In simple terms, it is one way the city reviews how much house area may be allowed on a lot.

A permit issue may come up if DPP, HNL Build, or a plan reviewer has questions about a home addition, second story, large remodel, new house plan, floor area, lot coverage, setbacks, zoning, or plan details.

You do not need to understand the zoning comment before asking for help. Upload the comment, screenshot, plan sheet, or provide the details so the issue can be reviewed.

How It Usually Comes Up

FAR and large home issues often appear in plan comments or zoning review.

Many homeowners first see the issue as a DPP correction comment, HNL Build message, zoning note, or plan review comment.

Common TriggersSheet · 02
  • A DPP comment mentions FAR or floor area.
  • A home addition, second story, large remodel, or new house plan may exceed what the lot allows.
  • A large home rule or zoning comment appeared.
  • HNL Build shows a message you do not understand.
  • The plan reviewer questioned lot coverage, setbacks, or floor area.
  • A plan sheet may need correction or clarification.
  • The issue mentions LUO requirements or zoning rules.
  • You have a comment or screenshot but are not sure what it means.
FAR and zoning comments are easier to understand when the actual comment, plan sheet, lot information, or screenshot is reviewed.
Why It Matters

Floor area and zoning comments can stop a permit from moving forward.

If a plan reviewer has questions about FAR, floor area, large home rules, lot size, setbacks, or zoning, the permit may not move forward until the issue is answered clearly.

The next step depends on the lot, the proposed house size, the existing structure, the addition or remodel plans, and what the comment appears to require.

A document-first review helps identify what the issue appears to involve and what the next step may be.

City & County of Honolulu
Plan Review Comment

Permit Record
Sample FAR / floor area review comment under review against plan sheets and lot information…
FAR & Zoning Situations

This page may be for you if...

  • Your DPP comment mentions FAR or floor area.
  • Your project may trigger large home rules.
  • A zoning or LUO comment is holding up the permit.
  • Your addition, second story, large remodel, or new home plans need clarification.
  • HNL Build shows a message about zoning or plan review.
  • The comment mentions setbacks, lot coverage, floor area, or plan details.
  • You are unsure whether the plans can move forward as shown.
  • You want help understanding what the reviewer appears to be asking for.
What Information Helps

Upload the zoning comment, plan sheet, or screenshot.

You do not need to prepare a perfect file. Upload the DPP comment, HNL Build screenshot, plan sheet, zoning note, permit record, lot information, or provide a brief description that shows the issue.

Helpful ItemsSheet · 05
  • DPP correction comment
  • HNL Build screenshot
  • Plan sheet or drawing
  • FAR or floor area note
  • Zoning or LUO comment
  • Permit record
  • Lot or property information
  • Project description
  • Brief written description of what happened
Permit Problem Review

Upload the FAR or zoning issue for review.

Upload a DPP comment, HNL Build screenshot, plan sheet, zoning note, permit record, or document — or briefly describe what happened. A local architectural professional will review what you provide and recommend the next step.

Permit Problem ReviewFor Review
No Obligation

Upload the FAR, floor area, or zoning comment causing the issue.

What raised the concern?
What the Review Can Help Clarify

The right next step depends on the lot, plans, and zoning comment.

FAR and large home issues are not all the same. Some involve plan details. Some involve lot size. Some involve existing floor area, proposed floor area, second stories, setbacks, lot coverage, or zoning interpretation.

01What we look at
What the issue appears to involve

The review can help identify whether the issue appears to involve FAR, floor area, large home rules, zoning, setbacks, lot coverage, plan details, or another permit-related concern.

02Records that may matter
What documents may matter

DPP comments, HNL Build screenshots, plan sheets, zoning notes, permit records, lot information, and project descriptions may all help clarify the issue.

03Recommended direction
What the next step may involve

Depending on what is found, the next step may involve drawing review, zoning interpretation, plan clarification, permit research, or another recommended direction. No DPP outcome can be guaranteed.

Questions

FAR and large home permit compliance questions

FAR stands for floor area ratio. It is one way the city reviews how much house area may be allowed on a lot.
DPP may need clarification about existing floor area, proposed floor area, lot size, setbacks, lot coverage, zoning rules, or how the plans calculate building area.
Not necessarily. It means the comment needs to be understood and answered before the permit can move forward.
Yes. A plan sheet, DPP comment, HNL Build screenshot, zoning note, floor area note, or brief description is enough to start.
Some comments may be simple. Others may require drawings, zoning interpretation, or a professional response. The review helps identify what the issue appears to involve.
No. No one can guarantee DPP approval or a specific city outcome. The goal is to understand what the comment appears to require and what the next step may be.
Get Started

FAR or zoning comment holding up your permit? Upload the document or describe the issue.

You do not need to figure it out first. Upload the DPP comment, HNL Build screenshot, plan sheet, zoning note, floor area note, or provide a brief description and get a plain-language review from a local architectural professional.