Episode 213: Untangling the Maui Building Permit Trifecta: Temporary Building Permits, Water Usage Form, and Agriculture Exemptions
Summary
Temporary housing is a major issue across Maui, especially for residents trying to rebuild after the Lahaina fires. Maui County has expanded how it handles building permits for temporary dwellings, and created a new way to calculate water usage. Starting January 1, 2026, anyone applying for a building permit or new or additional water service must use a new water-use calculation method that estimates daily demand instead of just counting plumbing fixtures, which will change how meter sizes and impact fees are determined. There’s a third tool that Maui agricultural landowners can use the agricultural exemption under HRS 46-88 for qualifying non-dwelling farm buildings, with required details, to avoid a full building permit. Today’s episode explains the trifecta: temporary building permits, the new water usage form, and agriculture exemptions.
Maui County Building Permit Informationhttps://www.mauicounty.gov/1208/Building-Permit
MAPPS Permitting Portalhttps://mapps.mauicounty.gov
MAPPS Information Page https://www.mauicounty.gov/2479/MAPPS---Mauis-Automated-Planning-and-Per
Temporary Building Permit FAQhttps://intercom.help/mauirecovers/en/articles/8957134-temporary-building-permits-for-dwellings
Temporary Permit Application Guidancehttps://www.mauirecovers.com/faq/how-do-i-initiate-application-for-a-temporary-building-permit
Temporary Structures Ordinance https://www.mauicounty.gov/DocumentCenter/View/148251/Ord-5685
Temporary Structure-Building Permit Design Professional/Electrical/Plumbing Certification Form DSA-Architect-Electrical-Plumbing-Certification-Form
YouTube Video of Jordan Molina for Temporary Structures (6 minutes) Temporary Dwelling Structures permitting within Lahaina Fire-Impacted Areas
Water Use Calculation Method https://www.mauicounty.gov/2895/Water-Use-Calculation-Method
Agriculture Exemption Process & Forms DSA Building Permit – Agricultural Exemption (HRS 46-88) | Maui County MAPPS, HI
Listen to the full episode :
This Week’s Blog Post:
Welcome to My Life as a Landlord, where we educate curious US and Canadian landlords, answer rental questions, and clear up confusions about all things housing. In today’s episode, I walk through what actually happens when your tenant stops paying rent. This is one of the most stressful situations for any landlord, especially if you are newer or self-managing. I explain how quickly panic can set in when the rent does not come in, but also why it is critical to stay calm, understand the process, and follow the rules of the game step by step.
The First Missed Payment
I explain that the first missed payment is where everything starts, and how you respond matters. This is not the time to ignore it or hope it fixes itself. Communication is the first step, but documentation is just as important. You need to know your local laws, your lease, and your timelines. Whether it is a notice for non-payment or a formal warning, it has to be done properly. This is where many landlords make mistakes that cost them time later.
Notices, Timelines, and Process
I walk through how the process becomes procedural very quickly. Once notices are served, timelines begin, and those timelines are not flexible. Every jurisdiction has specific requirements for how notices are delivered, what they include, and how long tenants have to respond or pay. If the tenant does not respond, the next step is filing for dispute resolution or eviction through the proper channel. Missing a step or doing it incorrectly can reset the entire process, which is why attention to detail is everything.
What Happens If They Still Don’t Pay
I explain that if the tenant still does not pay, you move further into the formal process, which can include hearings, orders, and enforcement. This is where patience becomes critical, because even when you do everything right, the process can take time. You cannot shortcut it, and trying to do so can create bigger problems. Documentation, consistency, and following the rules are what protect you as a landlord.
The Takeaway
I close by emphasizing that this situation is part of landlording, and it is not about if it will happen, but when. The key is to be prepared, know your process, and treat it like a business. Stay calm, document everything, follow the rules, and understand that the system is designed to be procedural. If you stay consistent and patient, you can work through it and protect your property and your business.