NEC edition in Hawaii

The electrical code edition in force in Hawaii, with its effective date, the adopting authority and an official link. Factual adoption data only — confirm with your local AHJ.

NEC / NFPA 70 in force in Hawaii

2017

2017 (NFPA 70) — Hawaii 2018 State Electrical Code

Effective
August 21, 2018
Verified
June 28, 2026

Adopting authority

Hawaii State Building Code Council (SBCC), Department of Accounting and General Services

Authority website
Adopted with amendments

The official Hawaii SBCC/AGS building-code-rules page currently lists the State Electrical Code based on NFPA 70 (2017 NEC) with Hawaii state amendments, adopted Aug 21, 2018 (the posted PDF is a March 2022 revision). The draft's claim of the 2023 NEC effective 2024-09-01 reflects an UpCodes tracker, not the in-force state rule. A newer NEC edition may be in the SBCC pipeline. Each of the four counties may adopt or further amend, so the enforced edition can vary by county.

Read the official codeFree to read online

State/province adoption is the baseline. Your local building department may amend it or enforce a different edition — always confirm with the authority having jurisdiction (AHJ) before you design, bid or pull a permit.

NEC edition in Hawaii: what applies on your job

Hawaii has adopted 2017 (NFPA 70) — Hawaii 2018 State Electrical Code (NEC / NFPA 70) with an effective date of August 21, 2018. The body responsible for adoption and enforcement is Hawaii State Building Code Council (SBCC), Department of Accounting and General Services. This is the jurisdiction-wide baseline — your local building department may amend it or enforce a different edition, so confirm with the authority having jurisdiction before you design, bid or pull a permit.

The official Hawaii SBCC/AGS building-code-rules page currently lists the State Electrical Code based on NFPA 70 (2017 NEC) with Hawaii state amendments, adopted Aug 21, 2018 (the posted PDF is a March 2022 revision). The draft's claim of the 2023 NEC effective 2024-09-01 reflects an UpCodes tracker, not the in-force state rule. A newer NEC edition may be in the SBCC pipeline. Each of the four counties may adopt or further amend, so the enforced edition can vary by county. The official code text is published by the standards body and is free to read online — use the official link above to read it. We link and cite the code; we do not reproduce it.

Frequently asked questions

Which electrical code edition is in force in Hawaii?+

Hawaii has adopted 2017 (NFPA 70) — Hawaii 2018 State Electrical Code (NEC / NFPA 70), effective August 21, 2018. The adopting authority is Hawaii State Building Code Council (SBCC), Department of Accounting and General Services. Verified June 28, 2026.

Does Hawaii amend the base code?+

The official Hawaii SBCC/AGS building-code-rules page currently lists the State Electrical Code based on NFPA 70 (2017 NEC) with Hawaii state amendments, adopted Aug 21, 2018 (the posted PDF is a March 2022 revision). The draft's claim of the 2023 NEC effective 2024-09-01 reflects an UpCodes tracker, not the in-force state rule. A newer NEC edition may be in the SBCC pipeline. Each of the four counties may adopt or further amend, so the enforced edition can vary by county.

What does "edition in force" mean?+

It is the specific edition of a model code (for example the 2023 NEC, the 2021 IBC, or CSA C22.1:24) that a state or province has legally adopted and currently enforces. Codes are republished on roughly three-year cycles, and each jurisdiction adopts a new edition on its own schedule — often with amendments — so the edition in force varies by place and by discipline.

Does the whole state or province use the same code?+

Not always. Many jurisdictions set a statewide or provincial baseline edition, but local building departments (the authority having jurisdiction, or AHJ) can amend it or enforce a different edition. Some states leave most adoption to local jurisdictions, and a few large cities such as Chicago and New York City run their own codes. Always confirm with your AHJ.

Which model codes does this directory track?+

In the United States: the NEC (NFPA 70) for electrical, the ICC I-Codes (IBC/IRC) for building, the UPC (IAPMO) or IPC (ICC) for plumbing, the IMC/UMC for mechanical, the IFGC/NFPA 54 for fuel gas, and the IFC/NFPA 1 for fire. In Canada: the Canadian Electrical Code (CSA C22.1), the National Building, Plumbing and Fire Codes of Canada and their provincial editions, and CSA B149.1 for gas.

How do I read the official code for free?+

NFPA offers free read-only online access to many of its standards including the NEC, and the ICC publishes its I-Codes through a free online reading room. Canadian codes are typically published by CSA Group or the National Research Council and may require purchase or membership. Each result links to the official source.

Why does this directory not show the actual code text?+

Trade codes are copyrighted by their standards bodies (NFPA, ICC, IAPMO, CSA). This directory publishes only factual adoption data — which edition is in force, when it took effect, who the authority is, whether it is amended, and where to read it officially — and links you to the official source for the code text itself.

Methodology & sources

This record was verified against Hawaii State Building Code Council (SBCC), Department of Accounting and General Services and the relevant standards body on June 28, 2026, and is next due for review by December 28, 2026. We publish factual adoption data only — never code text.

Last reviewed June 28, 2026. Estimates are indicative — verify against current product specs and local requirements before ordering.

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