Hawaii County, HI Building Setbacks & Zoning: Lot Coverage Limits (2026)
Key Facts
- Max lot-coverage percent
- None in zoning code
- Density control
- Minimum building-site area
- RS minimum site
- 7,500 sq ft per dwelling
- RS minimum width
- 60 feet average
- Envelope also set by
- Yards and 35-ft height
Summary
Hawaii County zoning does not cap lot coverage by a percentage. Instead it controls how much you can build through minimum building-site area, minimum width, and required yards. In the RS district each dwelling needs at least 7,500 square feet.
The minimum building site area in the RS district shall be seven thousand five hundred square feet.
Full Breakdown
Chapter 25 uses no maximum-lot-coverage percentage or floor-area ratio. Buildable envelope is instead governed by minimum building-site area, minimum average width, height limits, and required yards. In the RS single-family district, the minimum building site is 7,500 square feet per dwelling (25-5-5), with a minimum average width of 60 feet (25-5-6); more than one dwelling is allowed only if each has the full minimum area (25-5-8). Required yards (25-5-7) plus the 35-foot height limit effectively bound coverage. Denser RD and RM districts set their own minimum land area per unit.
Violations & Fines
Placing more dwellings than the minimum site area allows, or building into required yards, is a zoning violation subject to correction or variance.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the maximum lot coverage on the Big Island?
How many homes can I put on my lot?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Hawaii County
Compare Hawaii County to another location·View the Hawaii building setbacks & zoning overview
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