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SHPD Historic Review · Honolulu & O‘ahu

Permit delayed by SHPD historic review? Get clear next steps.

If your older home, renovation, addition, exterior repair, demolition, or other residential project is being held up because of SHPD historic review or a 50-year property issue, upload the notice, screenshot, message, or details. A local architectural professional can review what was sent and recommend the next step.

Upload the Document or Describe the Issue →

An SHPD message, DPP notice, HNL Build screenshot, permit record, property photo, or brief description is enough to start.

Permit Problem ReviewFor Review
No Obligation

Upload the historic review message or tell us where the permit is stuck.

What raised the concern?
Plain-Language Answer

What is SHPD historic review?

SHPD historic review can come up when a permit involves an older home, an older structure, or work that may need historic preservation review.

For homeowners, this can feel confusing because the issue may appear as a DPP message, HNL Build note, permit delay, or request for more information about the age of the house or the proposed work.

It can affect projects such as exterior repairs, additions, renovations, demolition, roof changes, window changes, or other work on an older property.

You do not need to understand the historic review process before asking for help. Upload the notice, screenshot, message, or provide the details so the issue can be reviewed.

How It Usually Comes Up

Historic review issues often appear after the permit is already in process.

Many homeowners do not realize historic review may apply until DPP, HNL Build, or another review step raises the issue.

Common TriggersSheet · 02
  • HNL Build or DPP mentions SHPD.
  • The home may be old enough to trigger a 50-year review.
  • The project involves exterior work, repairs, renovation, addition, or demolition.
  • The permit is delayed because another review step is needed.
  • A reviewer asked for more information about the property or project.
  • The property is in an older Honolulu neighborhood.
  • The permit status is unclear or not moving.
  • You have a message or screenshot but are not sure what it means.
A screenshot or message can be enough. Upload the SHPD, DPP, or HNL Build message so it can be reviewed.
Why It Matters

Historic review can add another layer to a home permit.

Historic review may affect what information is needed, what can move forward, and how the permit should be handled. It can also create delays if the homeowner is not sure what the reviewer is asking for.

The next step depends on the age of the home, the proposed work, whether exterior changes are involved, and what DPP or SHPD appears to be requesting.

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

State Historic Preservation Division
Review Comment
Permit Record
Sample SHPD review comment under review against permit record and property history…
Historic Review Situations

This page may be for you if...

  • Your permit mentions SHPD or historic review.
  • Your older home may have triggered a 50-year property review.
  • HNL Build shows a message you do not understand.
  • DPP asked for more information related to historic review.
  • Your project involves exterior repair, renovation, addition, roof work, window changes, or demolition.
  • The permit is not moving and you are not sure why.
  • You have a screenshot, DPP message, property photo, or permit record.
  • You want help understanding what the review appears to require.
What Information Helps

Upload the SHPD message, DPP notice, or permit screenshot.

You do not need to prepare a perfect file. Upload the message, screenshot, permit record, notice, email, property photo, or provide a brief description that shows where the permit is stuck.

Helpful ItemsSheet · 05
  • SHPD review message
  • DPP notice or email
  • HNL Build screenshot
  • Permit number or record
  • Property age or basic property information
  • Project description
  • Plans or drawings if available
  • Photos of the home or work area
  • Brief written description of what happened
Permit Problem Review

Upload the historic review issue for review.

Upload an SHPD message, DPP notice, HNL Build screenshot, permit record, email, property photo, 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 historic review message or tell us where the permit is stuck.

What raised the concern?
What the Review Can Help Clarify

The right next step depends on the property and what review is asking for.

Historic review issues are not all the same. Some involve a simple message or missing information. Others may involve property age, exterior work, demolition, additions, or documents that need a clearer response.

01What we look at
What the review appears to involve

The review can help identify whether the issue appears to involve SHPD review, a 50-year property issue, exterior work, project scope, renovation, demolition, or another permit-related concern.

02Records that may matter
What documents may matter

SHPD messages, DPP emails, HNL Build screenshots, permit records, plans, photos of the home, 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 more information, a clearer response, drawing review, permit research, or another recommended direction. No SHPD or DPP outcome can be guaranteed.

Questions

SHPD historic review questions

SHPD may become involved when the property age, structure age, project scope, or proposed work triggers historic review. The exact reason depends on the permit and the review message.
Not necessarily. It usually means another review step or response may be needed before the permit can continue.
Yes. A screenshot, DPP message, SHPD note, permit record, property photo, or brief written description is enough to start.
Not always in the way homeowners think of “historic.” Some older homes or older structures may trigger review even if the owner does not think of the property as historic.
Yes. If the delay appears related to SHPD, historic review, a 50-year property issue, or an older home, upload the message or screenshot so it can be reviewed.
No. No one can guarantee SHPD clearance, DPP approval, or a specific timeline. The goal is to understand what the issue appears to involve and what the next step may be.
Related Permit Problems

Related issues homeowners often search for

Get Started

Historic review holding up your permit? Upload the message or screenshot.

You do not need to figure it out first. Upload the SHPD message, DPP notice, HNL Build screenshot, permit record, property photo, or provide a brief description and get a plain-language review from a local architectural professional.