ADU Permits: East Honolulu vs Honolulu
How do adu permits rules compare between East Honolulu, HI and Honolulu, HI?
East Honolulu, HI
Honolulu County
No data available yet for East Honolulu.
Honolulu, HI
Honolulu County
Honolulu City and County recognizes two distinct accessory residential units under the Land Use Ordinance (LUO) Chapter 21: the traditional Ohana Dwelling Unit (LUO Sec. 21-5.700) and the Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU) created by Bill 7 (2015) under LUO Sec. 21-5.730. Both require a building permit through the Department of Planning and Permitting (DPP). Lot size, infrastructure, and zoning eligibility differ between the two.
View full Honolulu rules →Key Facts Comparison
| Fact | East Honolulu | Honolulu |
|---|---|---|
| Code Authority | - | LUO Chapter 21 |
| Ohana Unit | - | LUO Sec. 21-5.700 |
| Bill 7 ADU | - | LUO Sec. 21-5.730 |
| Min Lot for ADU | - | 3,500 sq ft |
| Max ADU Size | - | 800-1,000 sq ft |
Highlighted rows indicate differences between cities.
East Honolulu FAQ
No FAQs available.
Honolulu FAQ
What is the difference between an Ohana unit and an ADU in Honolulu?
Ohana units (LUO Sec. 21-5.700) are traditional family second units typically attached or within the principal dwelling envelope on larger lots, while Bill 7 ADUs (LUO Sec. 21-5.730) are stand-alone accessory dwellings on smaller lots (3,500+ sq ft) subject to infrastructure approval and a recorded long-term rental covenant.
Do I need infrastructure approval for a Honolulu ADU?
Yes. Bill 7 ADUs require capacity confirmation from the Board of Water Supply (water), Department of Facility Maintenance (sewer), and DPP before a building permit is issued. Many lots fail sewer capacity checks.
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