DCAB will start charging a plan review fee on January 1, 2013.  The plan review fee only applies to projects covered under Section 103-50, Hawaii Revised Statutes (§103-50, HRS).  All state and county projects are covered under §103-50, HRS.  Most federal and private projects are not covered under §103-50, HRS.

The plan review fee is a one-time fee, which must be paid when the plans and specifications are initially submitted to DCAB.  The plan review fee for plans and specifications received on or after January 1, 2013 is four-tenths of one percent (0.4%) for the first $500,000 of the estimated construction cost plus two-tenths of one percent (0.2%) of the estimated construction costs greater than $500,000 up to and including $2,000,000 plus two one-hundredths of one percent (0.02%) of the estimated construction costs over $2,000,000 except as follows:

1. The minimum review fee for plans and specifications subject to accessibility guidelines is $200;
2. DCAB may limit the maximum review fee for plans and specifications for infrastructure projects or projects managed by private nonprofit entities to $3,000; and
3. There is a $50 review fee for projects with plans and specifications that do not reflect any elements subject to accessibility guidelines.  

Examples of how to calculate the plan review fee are below:

• Estimated construction cost = $250,000
• 0.4% x $250,000          =     $1,000

• Estimated construction cost = $1,500,000
• 0.4% x $500,000          =     $2,000
• 0.2% x $1,000,000       =     $2,000

                                                                             $4,000

• Estimated construction cost = $5,000,000
• 0.4% x $500,000         =     $2,000
• 0.2% x $1,500,000      =     $3,000
• 0.02% x $3,000,000    =     $   600

                                                                             $5,600

DCAB is in the process of developing a Fact Sheet of Frequently Asked Questions about the §103-50, HRS Plan Review Process and the Fee Schedule, which will be posted on the DCAB web site.  In addition, DCAB will amend the Hawaii Administrative Rules Title 11, Chapters 216 and 217 to document plan review fee procedures.

For more information about the plan review fee, please contact Francine Wai, Executive Director, or Curtis Motoyama, Facility Access Coordinator, at (808) 586-8121 or via email at francine.wai@doh.hawaii.gov or curtis.motoyama@doh.hawaii.gov.