Maui County, HI Building Setbacks & Zoning: Setback Rules (2026)
Key Facts
- Front setback
- 15 ft (R-1, R-2, R-3)
- Side/rear, up to 15 ft tall
- 6 ft
- Side/rear, over 15 ft tall
- 10 ft
- R-1 minimum lot
- 6,000 sq ft / 60 ft wide
- R-3 minimum lot
- 10,000 sq ft / 70 ft wide
Summary
Maui County sets minimum yard setbacks for single-family homes in the R-1, R-2 and R-3 districts under Maui County Code Section 19.08.040: 15 feet front and 6 feet side/rear for any part of a building up to 15 feet tall, widening to 10 feet side/rear once any portion rises above 15 feet, measured from natural or finish grade.
Minimum lot area (square feet) 6,000 7,500 10,000 ... Minimum lot width (in feet) 60 65 70 ... Setback lines (For any portion of a building up to and including 15 feet in height as measured from the natural or finish grade, whichever is lower)
Front (in feet) 15 Side/Rear (in feet) 6 Setback lines
(For any portion of a building more than 15 feet in height as measured from the natural or finish grade, whichever is lower)
Front (in feet) 15 Side/Rear (in feet) 10
Full Breakdown
040's development-standards table ties minimum lot size to the district: R-1 requires 6,000 square feet and 60 feet of width, R-2 requires 7,500 square feet and 65 feet, and R-3 requires 10,000 square feet and 70 feet, each supporting one single-family dwelling per lot at that density. The front setback stays at 15 feet regardless of building height, but the side and rear setbacks step up with height: 6 feet if no part of the structure exceeds 15 feet as measured from natural or finish grade (whichever is lower), rising to 10 feet once any portion of the building goes above that 15-foot mark.
That means a single-story wing of a house can sit closer to the side property line than a two-story portion of the same house. 050, but the setback lines themselves are the baseline every other structure must respect unless a variance is granted.
Violations & Fines
Building or maintaining a structure that encroaches into the required setback is a Title 19 zoning violation. The planning or public works director can issue a notice of violation and order under Section 19.530.030, with a civil fine up to $1,000 plus up to $1,000 per day the encroachment continues. Criminal prosecution under Section 19.530.020 adds a fine up to $1,000 and up to 48 hours imprisonment for a first offense. Appeals go to the Board of Variances and Appeals within 30 days of the order.
Frequently Asked Questions
How far must my house sit from the front property line?
What's the side yard setback?
Do setback rules differ by lot size?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Maui County
Compare Maui County to another location·View the Hawaii building setbacks & zoning overview
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