Things to consider when planning a pool in Hawaii:
Pool plans in Hawaii typically require a pool permit based on an approved set of pool plans that satisfy the special geographical characteristics of the Hawaiian islands. The seismic design classification on The Big Island is E and surrounding CDPs are values C-D, which is high and similar to California. All swimming pools must be designed and engineered to withstand the seismic environment around the Hawaiian Islands. Since the governance of building codes is virtually the same surrounding Oahu, classified as census-designated places (CDPs), there is generally a single point of authority for swimming pool construction guidelines and pool permitting requirements originating from both county building permits and/or Hawaii State Department of Health (DOH).
What is special about pool permit plans in Hawaii?
In areas throughout The Aloha State like Honolulu, Kona or Hilo on the Big Island a pool permit is required. A pool building permit in Hawaii is generally mandated at the local municipal or county level and may include HOA and deed restricted guidelines in addition to the city and county. State licensed contractors are typically required for pool construction in Hawaii.
Swimming pools in The Aloha State must be designed by a professional and include all applicable national, state and local code compliance, and engineered for hurricane and seismic minimum tolerances. At minimum, a detailed site plan showing the pool, spa, and other proposed improvements is required and should also include property line distances, pool equipment location, and safety fences/gates. Other plan sheets may also be required with detail showing pool & spa features, dimensions, electrical, plumbing, methods of construction and materials.
General guidelines for Hawaii swimming pool permits
The state of Hawaii will have set forth building codes for general health and safety usually adopted from the International Swimming Pool Code (ISPSC). Requirements and guidelines for swimming pools, including locally adopted codes, are mandated at the municipal city or county level. This means that the specific swimming pool code adoptions for any city or county varies throughout the state but is always based on the foundation of the ISPSC.
Pool plans in Hawaii, requiring a permit, must be professionally drawn to scale and are typically presented on 36″ x 24″ size sheets and must include detail specific to the approval authority which may include, but not limited to, the following standard plan sheets:
- Site plan
Showing the required detail, setbacks, and more. - Layout plan
Showing all specifically required details about the pool project.
Do I need engineered pool plans in Hawaii?
Not all cities and counties require pool plans to be certified and sealed by an engineer, usually outside city limits in very rural areas on large private lots having no governing HOA. When and where engineered pool plans are required, a few additional sheets may be added to the plan depending on the scope of requirements of the approval authority, such as:
- Pool cross section drawing(s)
- Pool electrical layout plan
- Pool plumbing layout plan
- Pool drainage layout plan
Those special plan sheets must be drawn to scale and include all required specific detail the approving authority wants to see.
Hawaii pool permitting links:
- Hawaii County home page
- Hawaii commercial pool permit resource page
- Hawaii Dept. of Health swimming pool guidelines page
What if I don’t need a pool permit in Hawaii?
Not needing a permit to build a pool in Hawaii is not typical, and if not, having to worry about a permit to install a pool can be nice, but of course we recommend that you still get a professionally designed pool project and at least the standard set of pool construction plans so that you can budget cost and build with confidence.
Let us take you from design to permit ready pool plans
Hawaii pool design and permit plan set example
The goal of this Hawaiian pool design package is to add an infinity style spa and update all materials. Positioned in the rear courtyard, this pool design makes the best use of a small backyard area to work with. Despite this property being located on an interior lot, not having the advantage of a shoreline cliffside view, the owner is surrounded by the lush tropical vegetation native to the Hawaiian Islands. Swimming pools in the state of Hawaii range from lagoons to modern and everything in between, where in-ground gunite or shotcrete pools seem to be of the most common types. The best design is the one that fits your home and lifestyle in Hawaii.
Hawaii Pool Design Details
Pool Type: Gunite
Pool Style: Geometric
Spa: Yes
Spa Height: Flush
Pool Length: 24
Pool Width: 9
Depth Profile: Gradual Slope
Min Pool Depth: 4
Max Pool Depth: 10
Perimeter: 200
Surface area: 1
Decking max sqft: 90
How many lights: 6
Sun ledge: No
Water features: Sheer Descent
Brand of equipment: Pentair
Type of sanitation: Ozone
Include heater: Yes
Pool Design Materials
Waterline tiles: 1×1
Interior surface: Quartz
Coping material: Cast in place (Cantilever)
Decking material: Brushed concrete
Vertical Faces materials: Tile
