5 rules for unincorporated Hawaii County, Hawaii.
Verified from official government sources
Hawai'i County allows one ohana dwelling (accessory dwelling unit) on RS, RA, FA and A zoned lots. The lot must be a legal lot of record, meet height, yard and parking rules, and have adequate sewage, water, fire and street access.
HCC 25-6-33(a); 25-6-35(a)
Regardless of the size of a building site, not more than one ohana dwelling unit shall be permitted on the same building site with the first single-family dwelling unit. The minimum building site area for a building site containing both the first dwelling and the ohana dwelling unit shall be ten thousand square feet.
In Hawai'i County an accessory structure such as a shed may not exceed 20 feet in height. A detached accessory structure over 6 feet tall cannot extend into a required front, side or rear yard, though it may sit next to a main building.
HCC 25-4-23
An accessory structure shall not exceed twenty feet in height, unless otherwise specified in this chapter.
Hawai'i County has no separate 'garage conversion' ordinance. A garage converted to habitable space is treated as new dwelling area under HCC Chapter 25 zoning and the County building code, so it must meet setbacks, parking, height and permit requirements.
A carport is an accessory structure under HCC Chapter 25, so it may not exceed 20 feet in height and, if over 6 feet, cannot extend into a required yard. Attached porte-cocheres and roof overhangs get special projection allowances into yards.
HCC 25-4-45
An attractively designed porte-cochere may extend any distance into a front yard.
Hawai'i County has no separate 'tiny home' category. A tiny house on a permanent foundation is a dwelling under HCC Chapter 25 (subject to zoning, permits and, if it is a second unit, ohana rules); a tiny house on wheels is generally treated as a vehicle, not a permitted dwelling.
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