Honolulu County, HI Accessory Structures: Shed & Carport Rules (2026)
Shed permit rules in Honolulu County, HI, also referred to as storage shed, backyard shed, or accessory building regulations, set size limits, setbacks, and when a building permit is required.
Key Facts
- Setback rule
- Carports barred from required yards
- Exception
- Director-approved adjustment only
- Max size
- About 20 by 20 feet
- Use restriction
- Carport/garage use only
Summary
A one- or two-car carport or garage may encroach into a required front or side yard on Oahu only with a director-approved zoning adjustment, capped near 20 by 20 feet.
(a) Carports and garages. (1) When located in a residential zoning district, a one-car or two-car carport or garage may encroach into required front or side yards, including those in special districts, only under the following conditions: (A) No other viable alternative site exists relative to the location of an existing dwelling ... legally constructed prior to October 22, 1986, or to the topography of the zoning lot... (2) The maximum horizontal dimensions for the carport or garage generally must not exceed 20 feet by 20 feet.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: 2026 S-10: Supplement 10, 12-2025 Ordinance No. 25-40 through Ordinance No. 25-56).
Full Breakdown
Under the Land Use Ordinance, carports and garages generally must sit outside required front and side yards. The director of Planning and Permitting may approve an encroachment in residential districts only if no other viable site exists for the carport relative to a dwelling built before October 22, 1986, or to the lot's topography, and the owner documents the nonconformity. Approved carports are capped at about 20 feet by 20 feet and cannot be converted to any other use.
Violations & Fines
Building a carport into a required yard without an approved zoning adjustment violates the Land Use Ordinance and is subject to enforcement and possible removal by the Department of Planning and Permitting.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I build a carport in my front yard in Honolulu County?
How big can an approved carport be?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Honolulu County
How Honolulu County compares: Shed Permit Requirements by City·Compare Honolulu County to another location·View the Hawaii accessory structures overview
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