Yesterday, Mayor Mitch Roth signed of County Council Bill 123, a piece of legislation aimed at increasing housing inventory across Hawai‘i County.
The bill, co-drafted by Council Chair Heather Kimball, Councilwoman Ashley Kierkiewicz, Planning Director Zendo Kern, and Deputy Director Jeff Darrow, allows homeowners to build up to three accessory dwelling units (ADUs) with a size limit of 1,250sf on their properties, helping address the county’s housing shortage and enabling local families to stay in Hawai‘i.
The bill introduces new provisions that replace previous restrictions on “ʻohana dwelling units,” providing more flexibility for homeowners to add ADUs.
Key amendments include:
- Allowing ADUs, whether detached or attached, to be built alongside single-family homes in Residential (RS), Duplex (RD), Residential-Agricultural District (RA), Agricultural (A), and Family Agricultural (FA) districts.
- Limiting each property to a maximum of three ADUs.
- Ensuring compliance with infrastructure and safety standards, including requirements for sewage disposal and water supply.
- Restricting the use of ADUs for transient accommodations, with limited exceptions.
In a press release Mayor Roth said, “The ability to build additional dwellings on existing properties is essential in addressing our housing shortage, but it’s also about preserving our communities and ensuring that future generations—our keiki—can continue to live and thrive here in Hawai‘i. This bill expands our housing inventory in a way that is both sustainable and community-centered.”
Photo credit: Office of Mayor Mitch Roth