Article V — Construction Documents

Construction documents, statement of special inspections and other data shall be submitted in one or more sets with each permit application. The construction documents shall be prepared by a registered design professional. Where special conditions exist, the building official is authorized to require additional construction documents to be prepared by a registered design professional.

Exception: The building official may waive the submission of plans, calculations, construction inspection requirements and other data if it is found that the nature of the work applied for is such that reviewing of plans is not necessary to obtain compliance with this code. (Ord. 07-08 § 1, 2007; Ord. 11-03 § 1, 2011; Ord. 13-04(B) § 1, 2014; Ord. 23-01 § 1 (Att. A), 2023; Ord. 23-02 § 1 (Att. A), 2023; Ord. 2025-02, 1/12/2026)

Construction documents shall be dimensioned and drawn upon suitable material. Electronic media documents are permitted to be submitted when approved by the building official. Construction documents shall be of sufficient clarity to indicate the location, nature and extent of the work proposed and show in detail that it will conform to the provisions of this code and relevant laws, ordinances, rules and regulations, as determined by the building official.

The construction documents shall show in sufficient detail the location, construction, size and character of all portions of the means of egress in compliance with the provisions of this code. In other than occupancies in Group R-2, R-3, and 1-1, the construction documents shall designate the number of occupants to be accommodated on every floor, and in all rooms and spaces.

Construction documents for all buildings shall describe the exterior wall envelope in sufficient detail to determine compliance with this code. The construction documents shall provide details of the wall envelope as required, including flashing, intersections with dissimilar materials, corners, end detail, control joints, intersections at roofs, eaves or parapets, means of drainage, water-resistive membrane and details around openings.

The construction documents shall include manufacturer's installation instructions and provide supporting documentation that the proposed penetration and opening details described in the construction documents maintain the weather resistance of the exterior wall envelope. The supporting documentation shall fully describe the exterior wall system which was tested, where applicable, as well as the test procedure used.

(Ord. 07-08 § 1, 2007; Ord. 11-03 § 1, 2011; Ord. 13-04(B) § 1, 2014; Ord. 23-01 § 1 (Att. A), 2023; Ord. 23-02 § 1 (Att. A), 2023; Ord. 2025-02, 1/12/2026)

The construction documents submitted with the application for permit shall be accompanied by a site plan showing to scale the size and location of new construction and existing structures on the site, distances from lot lines, the established street grades and the proposed finished grades and, as applicable, flood hazard areas, floodways, and design flood elevations; and it shall be drawn in accordance with an accurate boundary line survey. In the case of demolition, the site plan shall show construction to be demolished and the location and size of existing structures and construction that are to remain on the site or plot. The building official is authorized to waive or modify the requirements for a site plan when the application for a permit is for alteration or repair or when otherwise unwarranted.

(Ord. 07-08 § 1, 2007; Ord. 11-03 § 1, 2011; Ord. 13-04(B) § 1, 2014; Ord. 23-01 § 1 (Att. A), 2023; Ord. 23-02 § 1 (Att. A), 2023; Ord. 2025-02, 1/12/2026)

The building official is authorized to issue a permit for the construction of foundations or any other part of a building or structure before the construction documents for the whole building or structure have been submitted; provided, that adequate information and detailed statements have been filed complying with pertinent requirements of this code; and provided, that all fees as specified in the resolution adopted pursuant to HMC § 15.04.065 are paid in full. The holder of such permit for the foundation or other parts of a building or structure shall proceed at the holder's own risk with the building operation and without assurance that a permit for the entire structure will be granted.

(Ord. 07-08 § 1, 2007; Ord. 11-03 § 1, 2011; Ord. 13-04(B) § 1, 2014; Ord. 23-01 § 1 (Att. A), 2023; Ord. 23-02 § 1 (Att. A), 2023; Ord. 2025-02, 1/12/2026)

When it is required that documents be prepared by a registered design professional, the building official shall be authorized to require the owner to engage and designate on the building permit application a registered design professional who shall act as the registered design professional in responsible charge. If the circumstances require, the owner may designate a registered design professional in responsible charge who shall perform all of the duties required of the registered design professional in responsible charge. The building official shall be notified in writing by the owner if the registered design professional in responsible charge is changed or is unable to continue to perform the duties.

The registered design professional in responsible charge shall be responsible for reviewing and coordinating all submittal documents prepared by others, including deferred submittal items, for compatibility with the design of the building.

When structural observation is required by CBC Chapter 17, the statement of special inspections shall name the individuals or firms who are to perform structural observation and describe the stages of construction at which structural observation is to occur.

(Ord. 07-08 § 1, 2007; Ord. 11-03 § 1, 2011; Ord. 13-04(B) § 1, 2014; Ord. 23-01 § 1 (Att. A), 2023; Ord. 23-02 § 1 (Att. A), 2023; Ord. 2025-02, 1/12/2026)

For the purposes of this section, deferred submittals are defined as those portions of the design that are not submitted at the time of the application and that are to be submitted to the building official within a specified period.

Deferral of any submittal items shall have prior approval of the building official. The registered design professional in responsible charge shall list the deferred submittals on the construction documents for review by the building official.

Documents for deferred submittal items shall be submitted to the registered design professional in responsible charge who shall review them and forward them to the building official with a notation indicating that the deferred submittal documents have been reviewed and that they have been found to be in general conformance to the design of the building. The deferred submittal items shall not be installed until their design and submittal documents have been approved by the building official.

(Ord. 07-08 § 1, 2007; Ord. 11-03 § 1, 2011; Ord. 13-04(B) § 1, 2014; Ord. 23-01 § 1 (Att. A), 2023; Ord. 23-02 § 1 (Att. A), 2023; Ord. 2025-02, 1/12/2026)

Work shall be installed in accordance with the approved construction documents, and any changes made during construction that are not in compliance with the approved construction documents shall be resubmitted for approval as an amended set of construction documents. (Ord. 07-08 § 1, 2007; Ord. 11-03 § 1, 2011; Ord. 13-04(B) § 1, 2014; Ord. 23-01 § 1 (Att. A), 2023; Ord. 23-02 § 1 (Att. A), 2023; Ord. 2025-02, 1/12/2026)

One set of approved construction documents shall be retained by the building official for a period of not less than 180 days from the date of completion of the permitted work, or as required by state or local laws.

(Ord. 07-08 § 1, 2007; Ord. 11-03 § 1, 2011; Ord. 13-04(B) § 1, 2014; Ord. 23-01 § 1 (Att. A), 2023; Ord. 23-02 § 1 (Att. A), 2023; Ord. 2025-02, 1/12/2026)