---
title: "Special Management Area Permits (Hawaii Coastal Zone Management)"
url: https://stacklist.com/card/a214769c-17e7-42cb-a702-c0ed7537c0d1
source_url: "https://planning.hawaii.gov/czm/special-management-area-permits/"
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summary: "Special Management Area (SMA) permits in Hawaii regulate development along the shoreline to protect coastal resources, ensure public beach access, and enforce Coastal Zone Management objectives established under HRS Chapter 205A. County planning commissions administer the permits, while the Office of Planning and Sustainable Development serves as the lead agency overseeing consistency and providing guidance across all counties."
tags: "sma-permits, coastal-zone-management, hawaii, shoreline-protection, land-use, environmental-regulation, county-planning"
key_entities: "Special Management Area Permits (concept), Coastal Zone Management Program (concept), Hawaii (location), Office of Planning and Sustainable Development (organization), Hawaii Community Development Authority (organization), Act 176, Session Laws of Hawaii 1975 (event), Kakaako (location), Kalaeloa (location), Honolulu City Council (organization)"
classification: "reference"
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---

# Special Management Area Permits (Hawaii Coastal Zone Management)

Hawaii.gov Government Directory Home » Hawaiʻi Coastal Zone Management Program » Special Management Area (SMA) Permits Special Management Area (SMA) Permits The SMA permit was established in 1975 with the enactment of Act 176, known as the Environmental Shoreline Protection Act where the legislature found that: . . . special controls on developments within an area along the shoreline are necessary to avoid permanent losses of valuable resources and the foreclosure of management options, and to ensure that adequate access, by dedication or other means, to public owned or used beaches, recreation areas, and natural reserves is provided. SMA permits are a management tool to ensure that uses, activities, or operations on land or in or under water within an SMA are designed and carried out in compliance with the Coastal Zone Management (CZM) objectives and policies, and SMA guidelines. Pursuant to Hawai’i Revised Statutes (HRS) § 205A-5, all state and county agencies shall enforce the CZM objectives and policies defined in HRS § 205A-2. SMA permits regulate permissible land uses allowed by land use policies including county general plans, community development plans, and zoning designations. Pursuant to HRS §§ 205A-28 and 29, the SMA permit is the first permit required for development within the SMA. No agency authorized to issue permits pertaining to any development within the SMA shall authorize any development unless approval is first received in accordance with the procedures in Part II of HRS Chapter 205A. CZM and SMA Permitting Overview County Authority With the enactment of Act 176, Session Laws of Hawai’i 1975, the legislature established the SMA regulatory function at the county level. The county authorities that administer SMA permits and shoreline setback provisions are as follows: • County of Hawai’i: Windward or Leeward Planning Commissions • County of Kaua’i: Kaua’i Planning Commission • County of Maui: Maui, Moloka’i, or Lana’i Planning Commissions • City & County of Honolulu: Honolulu City Council The authority may amend its county SMA boundaries as necessary provided that any contraction of the SMA boundaries shall be subject to lead agency review and determination. SMA Locator Online map County Contacts Detailed information regarding filing requirements for proposals can be obtained from the planning department of the county where the proposed activities are located. County of Hawai’i Planning Department East Hawai’i Office 808-961-8288 West Hawai’i Office 808-323-4770 County of Kaua’i Planning Department SMA Permits 808-241-4050 County of Maui Planning Department SMA Permits 808-270-7735 City & County of Honolulu Department of Planning & Permitting SMA Permits 808-768-8015 Lead Agency’s Role in SMA Permitting The Office of Planning and Sustainable Development (OPSD) serves as the lead agency in the administration and management of HRS Chapter 205A, the CZM law. The purpose of the CZM Program is to “provide for the effective management, beneficial use, protection, and development of the Coastal Zone.” L. 1977, c188 §1. OPSD-CZM Program’s role in SMA permitting includes: • Oversee the SMA permit system to ensure consistency • Provide CZM/SMA training sessions to county SMA personnel and Planning Commissions • Provide SMA permit guidance • Review developments within the Kaka’ako and Kalaeloa Community Development Districts Hawai’i CZM Program and counties collaboration to improve shoreline and coastal management Participants Guide to the SMA Permit (6.2 MB) Hawai’i CZM Program Guidance in SMA Permitting FAQs for Amendments to Chapter 205A, enacted by Act 16, SLH 2020 Kaka’ako and Kalaeloa Community Development Districts The Hawai‘i Community Development Authority (HCDA ) has planning and zoning jurisdiction over the Kaka’ako (within urban Honolulu) and Kalaeloa (at Barbers Point, O’ahu) community development districts. Pursuant to HRS § 206E-8.5, no development is allowed in the SMA of Kaka’ako and Kalaeloa unless the OPSD first issues an SMA use approval. “Development” is defined in HRS § 205A-22, as amended. The following SMA use application form and information are for proposed developments within the SMA of Kaka’ako or Kalaeloa : SMA Use Application Form SMA Application Instructions Hawai’i Administrative Rules Chapter 15-150 – Rules for Governing SMAs and Shoreline Areas within Community Development Districts Contact the CZM Program Email: [email protected] Phone: 808-587-2846 CZM Page Menu About CZM REGULATORY Special Management Area Permits (SMA) Federal Consistency PLANNING AND GUIDANCE CZM Initiatives Ocean Resources Management Plan (ORMP) Coastal Hazards Land-Based Pollution Marine Ecosystems COMMUNITY Marine and Coastal Zone Advocacy Council (MACZAC) Resources About Us Site Map Policies Terms of Use Accessibility Privacy Policy State of Hawaii Office of Planning and Sustainable Development Leiopapa A Kamehameha Building (State Office Tower) 235 South Beretania Street, 6th Floor Honolulu, Hawaii 96813 Contact Us Email Us Powered by eHawaii.gov --> Copyright © 2026, State of Hawaii. 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