Event Planning Permit Requirements in Honolulu, HI

1. EIN (Employer Identification Number)

   Required if operating as a business entity (LLC or corporation) or if you have employees. Free from the IRS. You will need an EIN to open a business bank account and sign vendor contracts professionally.

   Official government source

   Free·Immediate (online application)

   Free

   Immediate (online application)

1. Hawaii Business Registration (DCCA BREG)

   Event planning businesses must register with the DCCA Business Registration Division (BREG) if operating as an LLC, corporation or partnership. Sole proprietors trading under a name other than the owner's must file a trade name registration with BREG as well — Hawaii has no county clerk and no county-level DBA filing. An LLC provides personal liability protection, which matters when coordinating large events.

   Official government source

   $50 to file Articles of Organization for a domestic LLC (Form LLC-1), plus $25 for expedited service; certified copies are $10 plus $0.25 per page. Trade name registration is filed separately with BREG.·1–7 business days for standard processing; expedited service is available for the additional $25 fee

   $50 to file Articles of Organization for a domestic LLC (Form LLC-1), plus $25 for expedited service; certified copies are $10 plus $0.25 per page. Trade name registration is filed separately with BREG.

   1–7 business days for standard processing; expedited service is available for the additional $25 fee

2. Hawaii General Excise Tax (GET) License

   Hawaii has no sales tax. Event planning businesses must register for a General Excise Tax (GET) license with the Hawaii Department of Taxation using Form BB-1 and pay GET on gross business income — coordination and service fees are taxed, not just sales of decorations or supplies. The state rate is 4% for most activities, and every county now adds a 0.5% surcharge, so the effective rate on Oahu and Hawaii Island is 4.5%.

   Official government source

   $20 one-time registration fee (Form BB-1)·Hawaii Tax ID issued immediately in person, in about 5–7 days online via Hawaii Tax Online, or 4–6 weeks by mail

   $20 one-time registration fee (Form BB-1)

   Hawaii Tax ID issued immediately in person, in about 5–7 days online via Hawaii Tax Online, or 4–6 weeks by mail

1. Hawaii General Excise Tax (GET) License

   Honolulu issues no general business licence — there is nothing for an event planning business to apply for or renew with the city. The requirement that does apply is the State General Excise Tax licence from the Department of Taxation, filed on Form BB-1, which covers income from planning services. A home-based planner does not need a separate city home occupation permit either; a compliant home occupation is an accessory use under the Land Use Ordinance.

   Official government source

   $20 one-time registration fee (Form BB-1) — there is no city business license fee·Hawaii Tax ID issued immediately in person, in about 5–7 days online via Hawaii Tax Online, or 4–6 weeks by mail

   $20 one-time registration fee (Form BB-1) — there is no city business license fee

   Hawaii Tax ID issued immediately in person, in about 5–7 days online via Hawaii Tax Online, or 4–6 weeks by mail

2. Honolulu Department of Parks and Recreation — Use of Park Facilities Permit

   Events in Honolulu's city parks run on a Use of Park Facilities permit from the Department of Parks and Recreation, and the planner usually pulls it on the client's behalf. A permit is needed to hold an organised activity, reserve a field, gym, room or pool, hold a group picnic of 50 or more, set up bounce houses or other large structures, drive vehicles on grass, or amplify music. A copy of liability insurance goes in with the application. Events on city streets, or on private property, need separate approvals rather than this permit.

   Official government source

   No flat permit fee; $25 per hour for an attendant/custodian, $25 per day for kitchen use, plus deposits and processing or rental fees for fundraisers·File the application with the DPR Permits Office no later than three weeks before the date of use

   No flat permit fee; $25 per hour for an attendant/custodian, $25 per day for kitchen use, plus deposits and processing or rental fees for fundraisers

   File the application with the DPR Permits Office no later than three weeks before the date of use

3. Honolulu Special Event and Temporary Use Approvals

   There is no unincorporated county land on Oahu and no city limits to fall outside — the City and County of Honolulu is one consolidated government covering the whole island, so there is no separate county temporary use permit sitting behind a city one. A large outdoor event on private property is handled as a temporary use through the Department of Planning and Permitting's zoning permits process, with a site plan, proof of insurance and sanitation provisions. An event in a city park runs on a Parks and Recreation use permit instead.

   Official government source

   Depends on which approval applies: park use carries a $25/hour attendant fee and $25/day kitchen fee plus deposits; DPP temporary use approvals are charged under its own fee schedule·Park use applications must be filed at least three weeks ahead; DPP zoning approvals take longer and should be started well before the event

   Depends on which approval applies: park use carries a $25/hour attendant fee and $25/day kitchen fee plus deposits; DPP temporary use approvals are charged under its own fee schedule

   Park use applications must be filed at least three weeks ahead; DPP zoning approvals take longer and should be started well before the event

Official Sources

• Honolulu Business Licensing
• Hawaii Secretary of State — Business Registration
• IRS EIN Application

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