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FILE · PAINTING x HONOLULU x HAWAIIPermit StackSpecs LedgerCostTimelineChecklistViolationsFAQ
PAINTING x HONOLULU x HAWAII

Painting contractors in Honolulu, Hawaii.

Painting contractors in Honolulu must navigate both state-level licensing and local tax requirements. The primary regulatory body is the Hawaii Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs (DCCA), which oversees the C-33 Painting and Decorating license. This license is mandatory for any project where the total cost of labor and materials exceeds $1,000.

Beyond licensing, contractors must ensure compliance with Hawaii's General Excise Tax (GET) and federal lead-safety regulations if working on older properties. While building permits are rarely needed for routine painting, contractors should always confirm local zoning or historic preservation overlays with the Honolulu Department of Planning and Permitting before starting work on older structures.

State License
STATE C-33Painting & Decorating
Permit Issuer
DPPHonolulu Dept of Planning & Permitting
Avg. Plan Review
N/ARoutine painting exempt
Typical Start-Up
RANGE $500+Fees & Insurance
FILE · PAINTING x HONOLULU x HAWAII
Compliance Dossier
Public
File
05 / 2026
State AuthorityDCCA Contractors License Board
CountyHonolulu County
City AuthorityDepartment of Planning and Permitting
Statute / CodeHRS Chapter 444
Federal Cert.EPA RRP (Lead)
ReciprocityVerify with DCCA
Track these for me→Download leaf as PDF↓
FILE PAINTINGLOCATION HONOLULU, HAWAIITYPE COMPLIANCE GUIDE
VERIFIED 05 / 2026STATUS PUBLIC REFERENCE
What's specific to HonoluluWhat this leaf carries beyond the Hawaii state file.
Island-Specific Climate Prep
Honolulu's high humidity and salt air require specific knowledge of marine-grade coatings and surface preparation standards.
Historic District Sensitivity
Work in areas like Chinatown or Manoa may require adherence to specific color palettes or preservation guidelines.
GET Compliance
Hawaii's unique General Excise Tax is a gross receipts tax that must be properly calculated and passed on to the client.
§ 01 · Permit Stack

Three layers govern Painting work in Honolulu.

Compliance is tiered; state licensing is the foundation, while local tax and zoning overlays apply to all business operations.

State — Floor
DCCA
C-33 LicenseWorkers Comp
County — Overlay
Honolulu County
Business RegistrationGET License
City — Where you file
DPP
Historic Review (if applicable)Zoning Compliance

Read it bottom-up.

Compliance is tiered; state licensing is the foundation, while local tax and zoning overlays apply to all business operations.

This file exists to show what changes when the trade is Painting and the jurisdiction is Honolulu, Hawaii.

Source · State, county, and city issuing authoritiesLast verified · 05 / 2026
§ 02 · Specs Ledger

Every requirement, with a number on it.

Each row names the issuing authority, cost, timeline, citation, and status behind the requirement.

RequirementIssued byCostTimeCitationStatus
C-33 Painting LicenseRequired for jobs >$1k
DCCA
Verify with DCCA
Verify with DCCA
HRS 444
REQUIRED
Workers CompensationMandatory for employees
State
Market rate
Immediate
HRS 386
REQUIRED
GET LicenseGeneral Excise Tax
Dept of Taxation
$20
1-2 weeks
HRS 237
REQUIRED
EPA RRP CertificationFor pre-1978 homes
EPA
Verify with provider
1-2 days
40 CFR Part 745
REQUIRED
Contractor BondAs required by DCCA
Surety
Variable
Immediate
Verify with DCCA
REQUIRED
Building PermitOnly if structural
DPP
Variable
Variable
ROH
CONDITIONAL
§ 03 · Year-One Cost

What it costs to start Painting in Honolulu.

A practical floor for Honolulu, Hawaii. Verify each amount with the issuing authority.

Year-one ledger
Honolulu, Hawaii · Painting
License ApplicationInitial feeVerify with DCCA
GET RegistrationOne-time fee$20
Workers CompAnnual premiumMarket rate
Liability InsuranceAnnual premiumMarket rate
EPA RRP TrainingCourse feeVerify with provider
Surety BondAnnual costVariable
Year-one floorVariable based on business size
Excludes tools, vehicle purchase, payroll, and marketing.
Note
GET Tax

The General Excise Tax is a tax on the business, not the consumer, though it is commonly passed on.

Note
Insurance

Premiums fluctuate based on your claims history and the number of employees.

Note
Bonding

Bond costs are determined by your personal and business credit history.

§ 04 · Path to First Job

From day zero to first inspection.

A practical path for Painting contractors in Honolulu.

1
Day 0
Business Entity Registration
DCCA BREG
2
Day 14
Apply for GET License
Dept of Taxation
3
Day 30
Submit C-33 License Application
DCCA CLB
4
Day 60
Pass Licensing Exam
DCCA/Testing Vendor
5
Day 90
Secure Insurance & Bonds
Private Carriers
6
Day 100
Final License Issuance
DCCA
§ 05 · Compliance Checklist

Check them off.

Each item names the issuing authority, cycle, and citation.

01
Verify License
Ensure your C-33 license is active and current.
DCCAAnnualHRS 444
ContractorIssuing authority
02
Check GET Status
Ensure your GET license is displayed or available.
TaxOngoingHRS 237
ContractorIssuing authority
03
Lead Safety Check
Confirm if the building was built before 1978.
EPASafety40 CFR 745
ContractorIssuing authority
04
Contract Review
Ensure contract includes license number.
LegalRequiredHRS 444
ContractorIssuing authority
05
Insurance Verification
Check that policies are current.
LiabilityComplianceHRS 386
ContractorIssuing authority
06
Permit Check
Confirm no permit is needed for the specific job.
DPPZoningROH
ContractorIssuing authority
§ 06 · Local Enforcement Data

Violations cited most in Honolulu.

When confirmed local data is unavailable, this section stays marked for verification.

Commonly cited
Verify with agency—

Unlicensed Contracting

Performing work over $1,000 without a valid C-33 license.

PenaltyFines and potential criminal charges
Commonly cited
Verify with agency—

GET Non-Compliance

Failure to collect or remit General Excise Tax on project revenue.

PenaltyTax penalties and interest
Commonly cited
Verify with agency—

Lead Safety Violations

Failing to follow RRP containment procedures in older homes.

PenaltySignificant EPA fines
§ 07 · Honolulu-specific FAQ

Questions Painting contractors ask about Honolulu.

Q01Do I need a license for small painting jobs in Honolulu?+
Yes, if the total cost of the project including labor and materials exceeds $1,000, you must hold a C-33 license issued by the DCCA.
LicensingThresholdSource · Hawaii Revised Statutes Chapter 444
Q02Is a building permit required for exterior painting?+
Standard painting does not require a building permit, but you should verify with the Honolulu Department of Planning and Permitting if the structure is located in a historic district.
PermitsHonolulu DPPSource · Revised Ordinances of Honolulu
Q03How do I register for the General Excise Tax?+
You must register online through the Hawaii Department of Taxation's Hawaii Tax Online portal.
TaxationRegistrationSource · Hawaii Department of Taxation
Q04Are there specific requirements for lead-based paint?+
Yes, contractors working on pre-1978 housing must follow EPA Renovation, Repair, and Painting (RRP) rules.
SafetyEPASource · EPA RRP Rule
Q05Do I need a bond to be a painting contractor?+
While not always required for every license class, the DCCA may require a bond depending on the specific financial standing of the applicant.
BondingDCCASource · DCCA Contractors License Board
Q06Where can I check if a contractor is licensed?+
You can verify a contractor's status using the DCCA Professional and Vocational Licensing search tool.
VerificationConsumer ProtectionSource · DCCA PVL Search
§ 08 · Related

Adjacent files.

Other trades — Honolulu

General Contractors→Electrical Contractors→

These are the documents Iris tracks for you.

Store licenses, permits, policies, and renewal dates in one place.

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