ADU rules in Kaneohe, HI — also called accessory dwelling unit regulations or granny flat ordinances — cover setbacks, owner-occupancy, parking, and permit requirements.
Kaneohe homeowners may build one ADU per zoning lot in eligible residential districts under ROH Sec. 21-5.720, subject to parking, occupancy, and rental-duration standards.
Under ROH Sec. 21-5.720, one accessory dwelling unit is allowed per zoning lot in Country, R-3.5, R-5, R-7.5, R-10, and R-20 districts, which span most of Kaneohe's residential neighborhoods including areas near MCBH Kaneohe Bay. ADU rentals must be 30 days or longer; shorter rentals are prohibited. After-the-fact permits may be available for ADUs built before September 14, 2015. Military families stationed at Marine Corps Base Hawaii often seek ADU housing in Kaneohe, making proper permitting and occupancy compliance especially relevant. Ordinance 25-2 (2025) revised advertising rules.
Unpermitted ADUs, short-term rental advertising, and occupancy violations may trigger notices of violation and daily fines.
Kaneohe, HI
Residential pool barriers in Kaneohe must meet ROH Sec. 16-6.2, which requires enclosures, self-closing gates, and opening limits to protect children. Compli...
Kaneohe, HI
Kaneohe's rolling terrain makes ROH Sec. 21-4.40 retaining wall rules especially relevant. Fill-retention walls in required yards cannot exceed 6 feet, and t...
Kaneohe, HI
Kaneohe fence materials are defined under ROH Sec. 21-4.60, recognizing wrought iron, wire, wood, vinyl, plastic, and masonry. The high-rainfall windward cli...
Kaneohe, HI
Kaneohe neighbor fence disputes are governed by ROH Sec. 21-4.30 yard rules. Honolulu has no spite-fence ordinance, so disputes outside code violations are h...
Kaneohe, HI
Public parks in Kaneohe are closed during posted night hours under ROH Sec. 10-1.2, with narrow exceptions for shoreline access through beach parks.
Kaneohe, HI
Kaneohe follows the state juvenile curfew under HRS Sec. 577-16 barring children under 16 from public places between 10 p.m. and 4 a.m. without a parent or g...
Side-by-side rule comparisons with other cities in Honolulu County.
See how other cities in Honolulu County handle adu rules.
See how Kaneohe's adu rules rules stack up against other locations.
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