ADU rules in Pearl City, HI β also called accessory dwelling unit regulations or granny flat ordinances β cover setbacks, owner-occupancy, parking, and permit requirements.
Pearl City homeowners, including military families near Pearl Harbor, may build one accessory dwelling unit per zoning lot in eligible residential districts, subject to parking, occupancy, and rental-duration limits.
ROH Sec. 21-5.720 permits one ADU per zoning lot in Country, R-3.5, R-5, R-7.5, R-10, and R-20 districts, which covers most Pearl City residential neighborhoods. ADUs must meet minimum lot-size, parking, and setback standards. Short-term rentals under 30 days are prohibited. The ordinance contains after-the-fact permit provisions for structures built without permits before September 14, 2015. Ordinance 25-2 (2025) amended several provisions. ADUs are a common option for multi-generational households and military families hosting extended family on Oahu.
Building an ADU without a permit, short-term renting an ADU, or exceeding one ADU per lot can result in fines and abatement orders.
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Side-by-side rule comparisons with other cities in Honolulu County.
See how other cities in Honolulu County handle adu rules.
See how Pearl City's adu rules rules stack up against other locations.
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