Zoning Restrictions: Honolulu vs Urban Honolulu
How do zoning restrictions rules compare between Honolulu, HI and Urban Honolulu, HI?
Honolulu and Urban Honolulu have similar restriction levels.
Honolulu, HI
Honolulu County
ROH Chapter 21, §21-5.350 permits home occupations as accessory residential uses, provided the business is incidental to the dwelling, employs only household members, has no exterior signage, and does not alter the home's residential character.
View full Honolulu rules →Urban Honolulu, HI
Honolulu County
In dense Urban Honolulu neighborhoods like Kakaako, Ala Moana, and Makiki, ROH Sec. 21-5.350 allows home occupations as incidental accessory uses, layered over stricter condominium and TOD overlay rules common in high-rise buildings.
View full Urban Honolulu rules →Key Facts Comparison
| Fact | Honolulu | Urban Honolulu |
|---|---|---|
| Permitted zones | All residential zones | - |
| Employees | Household members only | Household members only |
| Exterior signage | Not permitted | - |
| Client parking required | 1 space per 5 on-site clients | - |
| Key code section | ROH §21-5.350 | - |
| Authority | - | ROH Sec. 21-5.350 |
| Overlay | - | Kakaako HCDA, TOD rules |
| Prohibited | - | Auto repair, painting |
| Condo layer | - | CC&Rs may be stricter |
Highlighted rows indicate differences between cities.
Honolulu FAQ
Can I run a hair salon from my home in Honolulu?
Yes, if clients come one at a time and you provide required off-street parking (1 space per 5 concurrent clients), employ only household members, and display no exterior signage indicating a business.
Can I hire a non-family employee for my home-based business in Honolulu?
Generally no. Only household members may work in a home occupation. The sole exception is an emergency child-care substitute for up to 5 days per calendar month.
Is auto repair allowed as a home business in Honolulu?
No. Auto repair and painting are prohibited as home occupations, except for household-owned vehicles; no more than five such vehicles may be repaired or painted per year at the dwelling.
Urban Honolulu FAQ
Can I run a home business from a Kakaako high-rise?
The LUO permits it if you meet Sec. 21-5.350 standards, but most Kakaako condominium declarations and HCDA rules impose additional limits that can effectively prohibit client visits or deliveries.
Do Waikiki short-term rentals count as home occupations?
No. Short-term rentals are governed by separate Bill 41/Ordinance 22-7 provisions in the LUO, not by the home occupation section, and most Waikiki residential zones now prohibit them.
Compare other topics
See how Honolulu and Urban Honolulu compare on other ordinance categories.
Want to add a third city?
Use our full comparison tool to compare up to three cities.
Open Comparison Tool