Carport Rules: Honolulu vs Urban Honolulu

Can my Honolulu carport be in the front yard?

Only if you obtain a Zoning Adjustment under LUO §21-2.140-1. A one- or two-car carport may encroach into a required front or side yard only when no other viable alternative exists because of an existing dwelling legally built before October 22, 1986, or because of lot topography. The carport's footprint generally cannot exceed 20 ft by 20 ft, and the structure cannot later be converted to any other use.

Do I need a building permit for a carport on Oahu?

Yes. Every carport requires a DPP building permit under ROH Chapter 16 to confirm the structural design meets Honolulu's wind, seismic, and corrosion standards. Even small post-and-beam carports under the small-project exemption thresholds for siding or roofing still need a permit because they are new structures.

Does a carport count toward my floor area ratio?

No. Under LUO §21-3.70-1, carports, garages, and unsupported lanais are excluded from the floor area calculation used to limit dwelling size. That exclusion is one reason carport conversions to enclosed garages or living space require a new permit; the converted space is then counted against your FAR cap.

What happens if I built a carport without a permit?

DPP can issue a stop-work or removal order under ROH Chapter 16 and §21-2.10. To legalize the structure you must file an after-the-fact zoning adjustment if it encroaches into a required yard, with the application fee doubled (about $1,200) and a licensed land surveyor's certified site plan. Paying the fees does not relieve you from any other LUO penalties.

Can my carport be larger than 20 by 20 in Urban Honolulu?

No. ROH Sec. 21-2.140-1 caps carport and detached garage horizontal dimensions at 20 feet by 20 feet, regardless of neighborhood.

I live on a hillside in Makiki Heights. Can I build a two-story carport?

Possibly. Type V-B hillside carports may exceed one story under specified conditions in Sec. 21-2.140-1. Confirm the exact criteria with the Department of Planning and Permitting.