Service area · Hawaii
Metal buildings in Hawaii.
We supply garages, ag buildings, equipment storage, shops and more across Hawaii. Our work reaches from O’ahu and Maui to Kaua’i and the Big Island, and anywhere else you’re building.
Building permits
By county
Zoning
By county
Farm buildings, no permit
Up to 1,000 sq ft
Counties
4
From HRS 46-88 (Act 203, 2013) and the zoning codes of the four counties listed below.
What matters when building in Hawaii?
Two buildings with identical dimensions can need different engineering and different permits depending on where they sit and how they’re used.
Four counties
Hawaii has no city or town governments. Each county handles zoning and building permits.
Farm exemption
State law exempts some farm buildings on commercial farms from the building permit.
Wind load
There’s no snow to speak of, but wind loads are high. We engineer every building for the address.
Height limits
Farm buildings often get more height than homes. Kaua’i allows 50 feet and Hawaii County 45.
Where you build changes the rules
Hawaii sets one farm-building exemption and leaves the rest to its four counties. Here’s how it breaks down.
Permits
- Farm buildings up to 1,000 sq ft: no permit or code on a qualifying farm.
- Up to 8,000 sq ft: no permit if built to code.
Zoning
- Size, height and setbacks vary by county.
- Farm and non-farm buildings often get different limits.
Agriculture
- The farm must be outside the urban district.
- Notify the county within 30 days of finishing.
In Hawaii, a farm building can skip the permit, but not the zoning. Setbacks and height still apply. We’ll check the address before we size the building.
What usually fits which project
We start with what you’re building and work back to the structural system. Here’s where that usually lands.
Barns & storage
Tubular steel fits up to sixty feet wide. Past eighty, or with big doors and heavy snow, red iron takes over.
Insulated shop
It’s still tubular under sixty feet. Insulation costs the same per square foot whatever the frame is.
Drywalled shop or barndominium
Steel truss is the fit here. Drywall screws straight to the frame, so there’s no wood wall to build inside the steel.
Commercial & wide spans
Cold-formed suits permitted commercial work with a finished eave. Red iron takes over past eighty feet, including equipment and riding barns.
Across Hawaii, wind load can shift the math more than anything else. See what a steel building costs for real per-square-foot ranges.
Local guides for Hawaii
We deliver and install anywhere in Hawaii. These guides cover the permit rules in each county, and we check the rules for every other address the same way.
Counties
Building somewhere that isn’t listed? Tell us the address and we’ll confirm who permits it and what applies. See our whole service area.
Common questions about building in Hawaii
Do I need a permit for a metal building in Hawaii?
Almost always. Some farm buildings on commercial farms are exempt under state law, but zoning still applies. Give us the address and we’ll confirm.
What does the farm exemption cover?
Non-residential farm buildings on commercial farms of 2 acres or more outside the urban district. Up to 1,000 sq ft skips the permit and code; up to 8,000 sq ft skips the permit if built to code.
How big can a garage be?
It depends on the county. Maui sets 25-foot front and 15-foot side setbacks on farm land, Hawaii County 30 and 20, and Kaua’i ties side setbacks to wall height.
Are farm buildings treated differently?
Often. Kaua’i allows non-residential buildings up to 50 feet, and Maui lets barns over 35 feet go taller with extra setback.
What sizes are most common in Hawaii?
Sizes of 24×24 and 24×36 cover most residential projects. Farms and horse properties run larger. See what a steel building costs, or call 417-218-8348 for an actual number.
Start with a conversation
Let’s talk about your Hawaii project.
Tell us what you’re planning and where you’re building. We’ll help you work out the next steps.
- Tell us what and whereSend us the size, how you’ll use the building and the address.
- We check the siteWe confirm who permits the address and which code and loads apply.
- You get a clear recommendationWe recommend the frame that fits and price it against the alternatives.
Or call
417-218-8348