Septic permit rules and requirements in Hawaii
In Hawaii, the state issues the septic permit itself. The smallest tank allowed is 1,000 gallons. Hawaii Administrative Rules § 11-62-37 · checked 2026-09-11
The state
Issues the permit
checked 2026-09-11
Who issues a septic permit in Hawaii
The state issues the permit itself.
The director reviews each septic system. A county must wait for that review before it can issue a permit.
Hawaii Administrative Rules § 11-62-37 · checked 2026-09-11
The office's phone number is 808-586-4294.
Hawaii State Department of Health — Wastewater Branch · checked 2026-09-23
The office publishes its own page on this: Hawaii State Department of Health — Wastewater Branch.
The office's own page names this address as its canonical link.
Hawaii State Department of Health — Wastewater Branch · checked 2026-09-23
What state law requires
Does Hawaii require a septic permit?
Hawaii requires a permit to build a new septic system or to change an existing one.
Section 11-62-37(b) sets this rule. The state director reviews the system before the county can issue a building permit.
Hawaii Administrative Rules, Title 11, Chapter 62 · checked 2026-09-23
Does Hawaii require a percolation test?
Hawaii requires a site evaluation before it issues a permit. The evaluation must include a soil percolation test.
A licensed engineer must perform the site evaluation.
Hawaii Administrative Rules, Title 11, Chapter 62 · checked 2026-09-23
The minimum septic tank size Hawaii allows.
1,000 gallons.
Applies to a house of four bedrooms or fewer.
Hawaii Administrative Rules, Title 11, Chapter 62 · checked 2026-09-23
Hawaii counties on this site
We have not published a Hawaii county page yet. A county earns a page when we hold facts unique to it. Until then this page is the answer for every county in the state.
Telling us your county is how we decide which one to build next.
Sources
State records only. Each figure above has a government source and a checked-on date. County figures live on the county pages.
Verify before you act. Septic rules are set locally and they change. Check anything here with the state office before you spend money on it.